Leptospirosis in Dogs: What It Is and How to Treat It
Leptospirosis in dogs is a bacterial illness that spreads throughout the bloodstream in canines. Dogs may catch leptospirosis in puddles or bodies of water that contain infected wildlife’s urine.
The germs enter the dog’s body by burrowing into their skin. Canine leptospirosis may be a potentially fatal illness.
Today we will look into all you need to know about canine leptospirosis, including how it spreads, who may get it, what it does to your dog’s health, how to cure it and how to prevent it with a vaccine.
Table of Contents
- What Is Leptospirosis?
- How Do Dogs Get Leptospirosis?
- Can Leptospirosis Spread to People and Other Pets?
- Symptoms of Leptospirosis in Dogs
- How Does Leptospirosis Attack a Dog’s Body?
- How Do Veterinarians Test Dogs for Leptospirosis?
- Immediate Treatment for Leptospirosis in Dogs
- Home Care for Dogs Recovering from Leptospirosis
- Preventing Leptospirosis in Dogs
- The Takeaway
- Nutrition Strength Blood Support for Dogs
Check out our Nutrition Strength Blood Support for Dogs here.
What Is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a contagious disease caused by the bacterium Leptospira. The condition causes significant kidney and liver damage and may be deadly in extreme instances. Bacteria are passed in the urine of diseased animals.
They may persist in warm, stagnant water or damp soil. Wild animals such as skunks, raccoons, opossums, rats, wolves and deer may infect dogs.
How Do Dogs Get Leptospirosis?
In the United States and Canada, the infection incidence for leptospirosis in dogs has been growing, with disorders most prevalent in the autumn season. Leptospirosis is more common in subtropical, tropical and moist climates.
It’s more common in regions like:
- Marshy / muddy places with stagnant surface water that are visited by animals.
- Pastures that are heavily watered.
Leptospirosis is usually acquired by dogs via direct contact with the urine of an infected animal. Open skin lesions might increase the likelihood of developing this illness.
Your dog is in danger if he or she swims in, travels through, consumes contaminated water or comes in touch with contaminated soil or dirt.
Canine leptospirosis is most common in the following breeds:
- Sporting and hunting dogs.
- Dogs that live in or near forested environments.
- Farm dogs or dogs raised on farms.
- Dogs that have been in a kennel.
Can Leptospirosis Spread to People and Other Pets?
The bacterium Leptospira spirochete is zoonotic and may be passed from diseased animals to people and other animals. Children are more likely to get the bacterium from an infected pet.
People and dogs may be infected without showing symptoms. Your veterinarian will be extra careful while handling your pet, and you should be as well. Latex gloves must be worn at all times, and all bodily fluids shall be dealt with as biologically dangerous materials.
Symptoms of Leptospirosis in Dogs
These are the signs of a leptospirosis infection in dogs:
- Sudden fever and illness.
- Sore muscles and hesitation to move.
- Stiffness in muscles and legs and stiff gait.
- Shivering.
- Weakness.
- Depression.
- Lack of appetite.
- Increased thirst and urination may be signs of chronic renal (kidney) failure, which may lead to the inability to pee.
- Rapid dehydration.
- Vomiting, possibly with blood.
- Diarrhea, with or without blood.
- Bloody vaginal release.
- Dark red-speckled gums (petechiae).
- Yellow skin and / or whites of eyes (anemic symptoms).
- Spontaneous cough.
- Difficulty breathing, fast breathing and irregular pulse.
- Runny nose.
- Swelling of the mucous membrane.
- Mild swelling of the lymph nodes.
How Does Leptospirosis Attack a Dog’s Body?
Leptospirosis infects the whole body of a dog, multiplying in the liver, kidneys, central nervous system, eyes, and reproductive system. Your dog will get a fever and a bacterial blood infection shortly after the illness. Still, these symptoms will diminish as antibodies are developed.
The amount to which this bacterium affects the organs is determined by your dog’s immune system and its capacity to completely eliminate the illness.
Leptospira spirochetes may survive in the kidneys, multiplying and contaminating the urine. Infections of the liver or kidneys may be lethal in animals if they develop and cause severe damage to these organs.
Younger animals with less developed immune systems are more vulnerable to severe consequences.
How Do Veterinarians Test Dogs for Leptospirosis?
Give your veterinarian a detailed chronology of your dog’s health, including a history of symptoms, recent activities and any situations that may have prompted this illness.
The information you submit may help your veterinarian determine what stage of the disease is your dog’s infection and which organs are most impacted.
Your veterinarian will request:
- Chemical blood profile.
- Complete blood count.
- Urinalysis.
- Electrolyte panel.
- Fluorescent antibody urine test.
The two most popular diagnostics for detecting leptospirosis are DNA-PCR and microscopic agglutination tests (MAT).
Both tests may detect infection, but each has limitations. In some instances, both tests may be required to make a diagnosis.
What Is the DNA-PCR Test for Leptospirosis?
The DNA-PCR test is a quick test that identifies Leptospira DNA in whole blood or urine. Because of the enormous germs usually present, urine is frequently the recommended sample. The exam is generally quicker and less costly than the MAT.
Does the DNA-PCR Test Always Work?
The DNA-PCR test is generally very reliable, but it has certain limits. Most importantly, the DNA-PCR test must be performed before administering medications to the dog.
Antibiotics are effective against Leptospira, and even low dosages may make DNA-PCR detection problematic. When significant numbers of bacteria are present, the test is most beneficial in the early stages of moderate to severe illness.
Due to the tiny germs present, dogs who have been unwell for a long time or show only mild sickness symptoms may be difficult to detect with DNA-PCR.
In certain situations, genetically sick dogs may have a negative DNA-PCR test result (false negative). This is particularly prevalent when antibiotics are used before the test. It is important to note that a negative impact does not exclude infection.
If leptospirosis is suspected and the DNA-PCR test results are negative, more testing is required to confirm the condition. This generally entails doing a microscopic agglutination test (MAT).
The DNA-PCR may be positive in infrequent circumstances even when no actual infection exists (false positive). It frequently happens in dogs that have come into contact with a different strain of Leptospira that does not cause sickness.
These canines are generally healthy and have unremarkable standard test results. Consequently, routine testing should always be conducted before DNA-PCR testing for leptospirosis.
What Is the MAT Test for Leptospirosis?
The MAT, or microscopic agglutination test, identifies the presence of Leptospira antibodies in a dog’s blood. Infection is proven if the amount of antibodies (called a titer) is high enough or can be demonstrated to be growing over time.
Does the MAT Always Work?
The MAT is a great exam, but it has certain limits. It is a slower test than the DNA-PCR test, and findings from the laboratory may take several days.
A follow-up test (called a convalescent sample) is sometimes required to confirm infection, further delaying the diagnosis. Test results may be inconclusive if the patient was inoculated against leptospirosis or if antibiotics were given early in the illness before the immune system could produce antibodies.
Immediate Treatment for Leptospirosis in Dogs
Dogs suffering from a severe acute illness should be hospitalized.
Fluid therapy will be the primary leptospirosis treatment in dogs to counteract the consequences of dehydration. If your dog has been vomiting, an antiemetic may be supplied. A gastric tube may be used to feed your dog if the inability to eat or keep food down persists.
If your dog has been seriously bleeding, a blood transfusion may be required.
Your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics, with the kind of drug depending on the stage of illness. Penicillins can be used to treat early infections.
Still, they are ineffective in killing bacteria after they have reached the carrier stage. Tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones or similar antibiotics will be provided at this stage because they are more easily absorbed by bone tissue.
Antibiotics will be recommended for a minimum of four weeks. Some antibiotics might have significant adverse effects, particularly those that travel deeper into the system to eradicate infection.
Read all of the medication’s warnings and talk with your veterinarian about the symptoms to watch out for. Except for significant organ damage, the prognosis is typically favorable.
Home Care for Dogs Recovering from Leptospirosis
Here are a few things you should be prepared to do as your dog recovers from a leptospirosis illness.
Ensure Strict Rest
While your dog heals from the physical impact of this illness, he should be limited to crate rest. Inquire with your veterinarian about arranging mealtimes and toilet breaks and how to monitor healing.
Take Precautions to Protect Yourself and Family
Keep your dog away from other pets and children while being treated. Several cases of leptospirosis in dogs to humans have been researched and the results are significant.
Wear latex gloves whenever you handle your dog or handle fluid or waste products from your dog. Using iodine-based disinfectants or bleach solutions, carefully clean locations where your dog has urinated, vomited or left any other fluid form.
Gloves and masks should be used and disposed of during the cleaning operation.
Talk to Your Vet About Testing the Family for Leptospirosis
Finally, let’s assume that you have other dogs or children in the house. In that case, they may be infected with the Leptospira bacterium, while not displaying symptoms.
It may be helpful to get your family tested for the bacteria’s presence. Remember that Leptospira bacteria may be found in the urine for many weeks after therapy and apparent recovery from the illness.
Preventing Leptospirosis in Dogs
Here are a few methods for protecting your dog against leptospirosis.
Leptospirosis Vaccine for Dogs
Consult your veterinarian to check whether your dog is a candidate for the leptospirosis vaccination. Because the lepto vaccination for dogs only protects against particular forms of leptospirosis, it cannot be guaranteed to be 100 percent successful in all circumstances.
Because leptospirosis is often misdiagnosed, it’s essential to consult with your veterinarian about current recommendations for the lepto vaccination for dogs in your region.
Research Kennels Before Boarding Your Dog
Before boarding your dog, inspect the kennel to ensure clean and free of rats (look for rodent droppings). Urine from an infected animal should not be shared with other animals or humans.
The Takeaway
Contact your veterinarian care practitioner if you believe your dog has leptospirosis. Your veterinarian can analyze your dog’s health and prescribe any required diagnostic tests.
Early detection, treatment, and supportive care are critical to providing your dog with the most outstanding chance of life. Humans are susceptible to leptospirosis as well.
If your dog has been diagnosed with leptospirosis, seek medical evaluation for anybody in close contact with the animal.
Nutrition Strength Blood Support for Dogs
Check out our Nutrition Strength Blood Support for Dogs here.
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Our tasty dog anemia supplement helps your pets by:
- Supplying a high amount of iron, as well as vitamin B12 and ingredients rich in nucleic acids, which are critically important for the synthesis of hemoglobin.
- Delivering copper, which may help your dog’s body to mobilize iron from storage areas.
- Providing folic acids, whose inadequacy may lead to problems such as anemia.
- Reinforcing the vital role of vitamin B12 in red cell growth and development.
- Ingesting iron toward the end of pregnancy may help to build the blood of healthy, strong puppies.
Nutrition Strength’s supplement for anemia in dogs and puppies furnishes carefully selected ingredients, which may help your dog’s body to make healthy new red cells.
Our canine anemia tablets may help increase the levels of hemoglobin, which in turn may raise the oxygen level in the body and help raise your dog’s energy level.
Image source: Wikimedia / Ildar Sagdejev.
