Complications in dogs with leptospirosis. Symptoms and signs of leptospirosis in a dog and treatment: photo, danger to humans

Every pet can be attacked by pathogens of infectious diseases. Many of them are very dangerous and pose a threat not only to the animal, but also to others. One such disease is leptospirosis. This is a bacterial infection that affects almost all systems and organs (heart, liver, blood vessels, kidneys, brain).

Leptospirosis is the 1st most common viral and bacterial infection. It is diagnosed in 20% of unvaccinated dogs annually. Up to 80% of them, without proper treatment, die a few days after the onset of the disease due to internal hemorrhages. Therefore, an important aspect in preventing such an outcome is the mass vaccination of dogs against leptospirosis.

What is leptospirosis and why does it occur

The disease got its name from the spirochete bacteria that causes it. Leptospira actively reproduce at temperatures above +34 degrees, in a humid environment. They are able to survive in the external environment until they enter the body of an animal. Leptospira die at temperatures above + 70 ° C, as well as under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.

Leptospirosis often affects dogs that have to often come into contact with water. These are, as a rule, hunting breeds, stray and stray dogs.

Animals with weak immunity are also susceptible to infection: puppies, older dogs. Breeds with a “loose” body structure are especially difficult to tolerate the infection:

• boxers.

Ways of infection

Dogs can contract leptospirosis from carriers of the bacteria. They excrete leptospira with urine, feces, semen, saliva. The causative agent of the disease can live in moist soil and water for up to 200-250 days.

Ways of infection can be different:

• through contaminated food or drinking water;
• when eating the meat of animals with leptospirosis;
• while swimming in ponds;
• with tick or mosquito bites;
• in the process of mating with a carrier of infection.

Human risk of infection

Carriers of a dangerous bacterium can be any animals. They release them into the external environment for a long time. And thus infect others. Rodents are capable of being carriers of leptospira throughout their lives.

Humans can also get leptospirosis from dogs. Therefore, if there is a sick animal at home, it is necessary to limit contact with it. When processing, use gloves, a mask, wear a change of clothes, which should be boiled after use. Wash the dog's feces with disinfectants.

Symptoms and forms of the disease

The incubation period for leptospirosis can last 1-14 days. Sometimes the disease goes unnoticed for a longer time. The dog may experience a slight deterioration in appetite, moderate lethargy.

The nature of the course of leptospirosis can be different:

• Latent- the most harmless, in which the animal feels slight oppression. There is pallor of the mucous membranes, slight yellowness. After a few days, the symptoms disappear, the dog recovers.
• Spicy- in a dog, symptoms appear 1-2 days after infection. There is a fever up to 41.5 degrees, the sclera and mucous membranes turn yellow, severe trembling appears. With this course of leptospirosis, no more than a quarter of dogs survive.
• Subacute- within 2-3 weeks after infection, the animal looks healthy. After that, the temperature rises, the limbs tremble, the same symptoms appear as in the acute course, but they are less pronounced.
• Chronic- rare, accompanies the animal for years. Periodically exacerbated signs of bacterial activity. The temperature may rise, the urine darkens. Sick bitches give birth to dead puppies.

According to clinical manifestations, hemorrhagic and icteric forms of leptospirosis are distinguished.

Typical symptoms of hemorrhagic form:

• temperature 40-41 degrees at the initial stage of the disease and its decrease to 36.5-37 degrees in the future;
• loss of appetite;
• lethargy;
• internal and external bleeding;
• hyperemia of mucous membranes, the appearance of ulcers;
• infrequent urination;
• blood in vomit, urine and feces;
• tachycardia;
• convulsions.

For icteric leptospirosis are characteristic:

• acquisition by mucous membranes of a saturated yellow hue;
• dark urine;
• vomit;
• liver enlargement;
• refusal of food;
• general weakness, exhaustion;
• heat.

Note! Often in dogs, symptoms of icteric and hemorrhagic forms of the disease appear simultaneously.

Diagnostics

A doctor can make a diagnosis of "leptospirosis" only on the basis of laboratory tests that confirm the presence of leptospira in the body.

Animal tests:

• serological examination of blood serum;
• microscopy of urine, sowing on nutrient media;
• biological test.

To assess the condition of the internal organs, ultrasound, x-rays are performed.

Rules and methods of treatment

After the diagnosis is confirmed, it is necessary to start treatment in the clinic as soon as possible. The goals of medical measures:

• destroy leptospira;
• restore the work of the cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys;
• remove intoxication;
• stop vomiting, diarrhea, pain syndrome.

Care and nutrition

A sick dog is a source of infection with leptospirosis. Therefore, for the period of treatment, it must be isolated. Regularly you need to treat the room with disinfectants. When in contact with an animal, take the necessary protective measures to avoid infection.

During the recovery period, you need to adhere to dietary nutrition. It should not load the work of organs affected by harmful bacteria. If the dog refuses to eat, do not force feed it.

It is recommended to eat food often (5-6 times a day), in small portions. It is preferable to switch to special medical feed. Even after recovery, dietary nutrition will have to be followed for life. The diet should contain lean meat (turkey, veal), neutral cereals (rice, oats), cooked in water. Fruits and raw vegetables can be given when there are no flare-ups. Choleretic agents can be added to food before feeding.

Drug therapy

In the acute phase, the drugs are mainly given intravenously to the dog. Due to the exhausted cardiovascular system, they may not be absorbed subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Specific treatment involves the introduction of the first days after infection of hyperimmune serum, aimed at the destruction of spirochetes. Serum is administered once a day for 2-3 days at a dosage of 0.5 ml/kg.

Strong antibiotics are used to kill bacteria in organs:

• Bicillin;
• Streptomycin;
• Penicillin.

If the clinic has special equipment, the animal undergoes hemodialysis.

Symptomatic treatment includes the use of a complex of drugs that reduce the toxic load on the body.

Rehydrators:

• glucose solution;
• NaCl;
• Ringer's solution.

Antispasmodics:

• No-shpa;
• Drotaverin.

Hepatoprotectors:

• Essentiale;
• Glutargin.

Heart remedies:

• Riboxin;
• Thiotriazoline.

Renal drugs:

• Lespeflant;
• Lespenefril.

Immunomodulators:

• Immunofan.

When vomiting, you can give the dog Cerucal. Inflammation on the skin is eliminated by treatment with antiseptics: Miramistin, Chlorhexidine.

On the page you can learn about what is pododermatitis in dogs and how to treat an inflammatory disease.

Consequences

In the body of a dog, leptospira enter the bloodstream, actively multiply. The immune system reacts by releasing antibodies. The shell of bacteria is very toxic. It releases substances that destroy blood vessels. Dead leptospira are even more dangerous. They release toxic substances into the blood, which through damaged vessels seep into different parts of the body.

Once in the liver and kidneys, bacteria feed on substances that are needed for the functioning of these organs. Once in the intestine, leptospira destroy its inner surface. As a result of such activities, the dog has internal bleeding, diarrhea. Toxins, getting into the kidneys, disrupt the production of urine. And their activity in the brain provokes severe convulsions.

Bacteria force the body to synthesize excess hemoglobin. This causes exhaustion of the blood coagulation system and numerous hemorrhages.

If the animal is not promptly provided with medical assistance, a critical accumulation of toxins will accumulate in the body and it will die from intoxication and exhaustion.

The most dangerous consequences of leptospirosis:

• liver and kidney failure;
• cardiopathy;
• hepatic coma.

Prevention and vaccination

If a dog has had leptospirosis, it develops immunity for several years. But the animal can remain a carrier of bacteria and infect others with them. Therefore, a few months after recovery, you need to take tests to confirm or deny the carriage of the virus.

Dogs must be vaccinated to avoid contracting leptospirosis. A complex vaccine is administered to an animal at the age of 8-9 months. After 2-3 weeks, it is revaccinated. After that, an annual revaccination against leptospirosis is necessary. Although vaccination against this disease is not mandatory, it is better to do it to protect the dog from infection.

General preventive measures include:

• balanced diet:
• proper care and hygiene;
• lack of contact with stray and unvaccinated dogs;
• avoiding swimming in questionable water bodies, drinking dirty water;
• timely deratization in the presence of rodents in the house.

Leptospirosis is one of the most dangerous infections in dogs. Pathogens destroy organs and systems, causing severe symptoms. When the first signs of infection appear, it is necessary to take the animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible in order to correctly diagnose and conduct appropriate therapy.

Video about the causes of leptospirosis in dogs, about the symptoms, treatment and prevention of an infectious disease:

Leptospirosis(another name is Stuttgart disease, Weil's disease, infectious jaundice) is a serious infectious natural focal disease. This disease can also affect the owner of the animal..
Leptospirosis is characterized by fever, anemia, jaundice, hemorrhagic lesions of the kidneys, liver, hemorrhages on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, excretion of hemoglobin in the urine, abortions, and dysfunction of the central nervous system.
Many types of animals are susceptible to leptospirosis: agricultural (large and small cattle, pigs, horses, sheep), domestic (dogs, cats), wild carnivores (wolves, foxes, jackals), fur-bearing animals (arctic foxes, minks), rodents (rats , mice, voles), as well as carnivores, marsupials, domestic and wild birds. The young are the most sensitive. In addition, the person is also susceptible. Rodents are a reservoir of infection.
Currently, leptospirosis is registered in most countries of the world. Basically, mass diseases of dogs with leptospirosis are recorded from May to November. Single cases of the disease are possible throughout the year.
In many cases, the disease proceeds secretly without clear clinical signs.

The causative agent of leptospirosis are bacteria from the genus Leptospira, members of the family Spirochaetes. In Russia, the disease in animals is caused by leptospires of six serological groups, which are divided into three independent groups: L. Icterohaemorrhagiae, L. canicolau, L. grippotyphosa. Dogs are more likely to excrete L. icterohaemorrhagiae And L. canicolau.
Leptospira persist for a long time in the environment at low temperatures, even when frozen. High temperature (34-36 ° C) and humidity (rainy season, subtropical and tropical latitudes), stagnant water, neutral or slightly alkaline soils are favorable for maintaining the vital activity of leptospira. In stagnant water, moist soil, leptospira persist for up to 200 days. The sun's rays and drying kill them within 2 hours, at a temperature of 76 ° C they die instantly. 0.5% solutions of sodium hydroxide, phenol and 0.25% formalin kill the pathogen in 5-10 minutes.

Pathogen source leptospirosis are sick and recovered animals that are carriers of leptospira. A human does not serve as a source of infection for dogs, since, as a rule, there is no long-term release of the pathogen from his body into the environment. Hygiene measures and the acidic pH of human urine also contribute to this.
Leptospira are excreted primarily in the urine. When they get into a puddle, a pond, a drinking bowl, leptospira begin to actively multiply. Dogs become infected by ingesting food and water contaminated with leptospira. Indirect infection can occur - through the soil, bedding, leash or collar contaminated with the urine of a sick animal. It is possible to transmit the pathogen with milk, during mating, by transmission, that is, through the bites of ticks and other insects.
Severe leptospirosis is more common in young dogs who do not have passive immunity passed from mother to puppies. Dogs living in the city are more likely to get sick than in the suburbs. The risk group includes yard animals, as well as hunting dogs.

Infection, ways of penetration of the pathogen and its spread within the body of the animal.

The pathogen enters the dog's body through minor injuries of the skin, through intact mucous membranes of the nasal, oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. If a dog drinks water from an infected reservoir or bathes in it, then the pathogen will be in the blood of the animal in 30-50 minutes.
Leptospira, having entered the body, with the blood flow enter the liver, where they multiply, and then spread through the tissues and organs of the animal. Against this background, the dog has an increase in body temperature. Then the temperature returns to normal. In the kidneys, leptospira are protected from the action of blood antibodies, therefore they freely multiply in their convoluted tubules. The pathogen causes the destruction of red blood cells, anemia, the formation of a special pigment bilirubin, which accumulates in the tissues, causing them to turn yellow. Hemoglobin accumulates in the blood and is partly excreted in the urine, causing the latter to turn red. The causes of animal death are heart failure and severe renal failure.

Clinical signs.

The incubation period for canine leptospirosis is 2 to 15 days. The disease is acute, subacute, chronic and asymptomatic. In dogs, hemorrhagic and icteric forms of leptospirosis are isolated..

Hemorrhagic (or anicteric) form of leptospirosis observed mainly in adult dogs. The disease often begins suddenly and is characterized by a short-term increase in temperature up to 40-41.5 ° C, severe depression, lack of appetite, increased thirst, hyperemia of the mucous membranes of the oral and nasal cavities, conjunctiva.
Approximately on the 2-3rd day, the body temperature drops to 37-38 ° C, and a pronounced hemorrhagic syndrome develops: pathological bleeding of all mucous membranes of the body, external and internal hemorrhages (vomiting blood, prolonged diarrhea with blood); severe hemorrhages in the internal organs and bruising when performing injections. At the same time, a strong loss of fluid from the body with vomiting and diarrhea, ulcerative stomatitis, acute hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, and acute renal failure are noted. Clinical signs of the disease develop rapidly, dogs experience convulsions and then death. Yellow staining of the skin and mucous membranes in the hemorrhagic form of leptospirosis, as a rule, is not observed.
The percentage of death of dogs in the acute form of the hemorrhagic form of leptospirosis is 60-80%, the duration of the disease is 1-4 days, sometimes 5-10 days. The percentage of death in the subacute form is 30-50%, the symptoms of the disease grow more slowly, they are less pronounced. The disease usually lasts 10-15, sometimes up to 20 days, if secondary infections join.

Icteric form of leptospirosis, mainly observed in puppies and young dogs aged 1-2 years. Some clinical signs characteristic of the hemorrhagic form (a short-term increase in temperature up to 40-41.5 ° C, vomiting with blood, gastroenteritis) are often observed in the icteric form of leptospirosis. The main distinguishing feature of the icteric form of the disease is the multiplication of leptospira in the liver, leading to severe violations of its function. As a result, there is a pronounced staining of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, nasal cavity, vagina, as well as the skin of the abdomen, perineum, the inner surface of the ears in yellow, pronounced oppression, refusal to feed, vomiting, hemorrhages in the mucous membranes and skin, enlargement of the liver and spleen. In addition, in the icteric form, as in the hemorrhagic form, acute renal failure is observed. As a result of simultaneous damage to the most important internal organs (liver, kidneys, spleen), sick animals develop toxic shock, which often causes their death.
In an acute course, the percentage of death of dogs is 40-60%, the duration of the disease is 1-5 days.

The prognosis for acute and subacute forms of leptospirosis is usually unfavorable.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical signs. Examine fresh urine and blood, posthumously - the liver, kidneys, fluid from the chest and abdominal cavity. In the urine, leptospira can be detected within two hours after sampling. A urine sample is first examined under a microscope, then it is necessary to inoculate on various nutrient media.
In the blood of animals, it is not leptospira that is found, but antibodies to this disease. Antibodies are produced by the animal's immune system in response to the entry of a pathogenic microorganism, in this case, the entry of Leptospira into the body. Therefore, in order for the diagnosis to be final, it is necessary to repeat the study in a week. With leptospirosis, there will be an increase in antibody titer several times.

Treatment .

It is important to remember that any treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian. This is especially true for diseases with a severe form of the course. With any serious illness, it is very important to start appropriate treatment in a timely manner. In most cases, independent attempts at therapeutic help provided at home lead to a deplorable result. When such animals get to the veterinary clinic, unfortunately, they can no longer be cured. The disease progresses quite quickly, destroying other vital organs, so every missed day, alas, is not good for your pet.
The best therapeutic effect in leptospirosis is achieved by a combination of specific and symptomatic therapy, which is desirable to carry out in a stationary veterinary clinic.

Specific Therapy- means of this type of therapy are designed to eliminate the pathogen from the body of the dog. Their use is most effective in the acute initial stage of infection, until severe lesions have developed in the organs and tissues of the diseased animal. Hyperimmune serum against leptospirosis is administered, optimally no later than 4-6 days from the onset of clinical signs of the disease. During the circulation of leptospira in the blood, an antibiotic of the penicillin series, dihydrostreptomycin and streptomycin are used.

Symptomatic therapy It is aimed at eliminating certain symptoms of the disease and alleviating the general condition of the animal: it includes the use of antispasmodic drugs, drugs that protect the liver, antiemetics, anticonvulsants and heart drugs. The dog is placed in a warm room, with the development of dehydration, balanced solutions are administered intravenously (Ringer's lactate solutions, glucose solutions), vitamins.

In the treatment of leptospirosis, it is equally important and diet therapy. During the period of illness and after it, dogs should be fed a diet with a low protein content, in the case of an icteric form - with a low fat content.

Immunity. In recovered dogs, a stable and intense immunity is formed, which lasts for years. However, it is still required to vaccinate the animal with specific vaccines, especially when the animal is taken to regions that are unfavorable for this disease.

Prevention.

To prevent leptospirosis, dogs should be vaccinated annually. Many veterinary clinics offer you comprehensive vaccines that protect your pet from leptospirosis, rabies, canine distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus infection and parvovirus infection. A dog can be vaccinated with both domestic complex vaccines and imported vaccines.
Against leptospirosis, dogs are vaccinated starting at 8-9 weeks of age, re-vaccination is carried out at intervals of 21-28 days. Before vaccination, anthelmintic treatment of the animal is required. As a rule, drugs with a wide spectrum of action are used (drugs with a combination of praziquantel and pyrantel). They try not to walk dogs in wetlands, do not allow swimming in ponds with stagnant water.
When caring for sick animals, it is very important for people to observe individual hygiene measures and maintain cleanliness of the premises, since there is a risk of human infection through contact with infected urine and secretions of a sick animal.

Ekaterina Loginova, veterinarian.

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Leptospirosis is a zoonotic natural focal infectious disease of wild, domestic animals, including dogs and humans, characterized by fever, anemia, jaundice, hemoglobinuria, necrosis of the mucous membranes and skin, atony of the gastrointestinal tract, abortions and the birth of unviable litter.

Pathogen- leptospira, occupying an intermediate position between bacteria and protozoa. Pathogenic leptospira are represented by 202 serovars. Leptospira is the most common cause of disease in dogs. icterohemorrhagia and caniccola that also cause leptospirosis in humans. In terms of infection with leptospira in Russia, dogs come out on top among other animals (up to 20%).

Leptospira, being hydrobionts, in the water of rivers, lakes, stagnant reservoirs remain up to 200 days, at the same time, the resistance of leptospira to environmental factors is low: the sun's rays inactivate them within 2 hours, at a temperature of 76-96 ° C they die instantly , however, at a temperature of minus 70 ° C they live for seven years; in the urine of animals and rodents they persist for up to 4-7 days, in milk - 8-24 hours. Leptospira are sensitive to the action of conventional disinfectants (1% sodium hydroxide solution kills instantly).

epidemiological data. Under natural conditions, among other animal species, dogs are most often ill, regardless of breed and age, however, young dogs and puppies are more susceptible to this disease and it occurs in them in a more severe form than in adult dogs. reservoir and source leptospirosis are sick and ill animals that excrete leptospira into the environment with urine, feces, milk, semen with discharge from the nose and genitals. In the conditions of settlements, especially in megacities, stray dogs, cats and rodents (mice and rats) serve as carriers of leptospirosis. Leptospiron carriage in recovered animals is very long: in dogs up to 3-4 years, in cats - 199 days, in foxes - up to 514 days. Especially dangerous is the fact that rodents are lifelong carriers of leptospira.

Transfer factors the causative agent of infection in leptospirosis in dogs are reservoirs contaminated with the urine of sick animals. Infection of healthy dogs occurs through feed, water, bedding, soil, etc., which are already infected with secretions from sick animals and leptospira carriers; when eating the corpses of rodents - leptospiro-carriers. Leptospira have the ability to penetrate into the dog's body through damaged skin (wounds, bites, cuts, scratches), mucous membranes of the nasal and oral cavities, eyes, gastrointestinal tract and genital tract. Puppies can become infected through milk from a sick bitch, as well as in utero. Leptospirosis in dogs is more often recorded in the summer-autumn period. The disease, like in other animals, manifests itself in in the form of sporadic cases or in the form of enzootics.

The incubation period for leptospirosis in dogs (depending on the resistance of the dog's organism, the degree of virulence, the magnitude of the infectious dose and the leptospira serogroup) ranges from 2 to 12 days.

Pathogenesis. Leptospira, having entered the body of a dog through damaged skin or mucous membranes, are carried with the bloodstream and concentrated in organs rich in reticuloendothelial elements (liver, kidneys, lungs), where they multiply intensively for 2-12 days (the duration of the incubation period). Having accumulated to a certain amount and destroyed the cellular elements that held them back in places of localization, leptospira enter the systemic circulation and, continuing to multiply in the blood, are carried by it to all organs and tissues. Reproduction of leptospira in the blood leads to a sharp increase in body temperature in the dog, which lasts as long as the leptospira are in the blood.

In response to the action of leptospira, the dog's body begins to produce antibodies: agglutinins and lysins, which appear in sufficient quantities by the 4th-5th day of illness. Lysines begin to massively destroy leptospiras that have entered the dog's body, which leads to the release of endotoxins. The released endotoxins begin to destroy red blood cells. Due to the massive destruction of red blood cells, the dog develops anemia, a large amount of hemoglobin accumulates in the blood, which the liver is unable to process into the bile pigment bilirubin. Compensatory mechanisms begin to enter the process: the pigment is formed by RES cells in various tissues, bilirubin does not pass through the liver and, being adsorbed by tissues, causes jaundice.

With good resistance of the dog's body, an increase in the amount of antibodies in the blood, reaching the highest concentration from the 6th to the 10th day of illness, is accompanied by the gradual destruction of leptospira in all organs and tissues, except for the kidneys. In the kidneys of leptospira, after clinical recovery, dogs can multiply and be excreted from the body for a long time. When the dog's body is weakened, the defense mechanisms come into action late, as a result of which the dog dies from leptospirosis.

abortion in dogs occur due to the penetration of toxic substances leptospira through the placental barrier into the blood of the fetus. Due to the destruction of red blood cells, oxygen starvation occurs in the fetus, as a result of which they die.

Hemorrhage and skin necrosis in dogs with leptospirosis occur as a result of the fact that capillaries due to intoxication constrict and clog with blood clots, which leads to malnutrition of the skin and mucous membranes.

The course and symptoms of the disease. Leptospirosis in dogs can be fulminant, acute, subacute, or chronic. The disease may appear typically(with characteristic symptoms) and atypical(fulminant and chronic forms).

lightning form illness has a duration of 2 to 48 hours. The sickness begins sudden rise in temperature body coming sharp oppression and weakness dogs. In some cases, the owners note in a sick dog arousal, turning into a riot; The dog's high body temperature lasts for the first few hours of illness, and then drops to normal and below 38 °C. The dog has tachycardia, pulse of weak filling and tension (filamentous). Breathing shallow, frequent. Examination of the mucous membranes reveals their jaundice, bloody urine. Death dogs comes in 12-24 hours from asphyxia. Mortality in this form of the disease reaches 100%.

Acute course disease is more common in young animals aged from one week to two years, characterized by fever(39.5-41.5 ° C), which lasts from 2 to 8 days, tachycardia, dog refusal to feed, depression and weakness. Breathing is frequent, shallow.

By the end of the febrile period (4-6 days), the dog develops severe jaundice mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, vagina, sclera and skin. Difficulty urinating in dogs, the dog urinates in small portions, urine is cherry or brown in color. When taking blood samples for analysis and intravenous administration of drugs, the blood quickly coagulates in the injection needle. A slight tapping in the lumbar region causes pain in the dog, the dog arches its back, groans or growls. At the beginning of the disease there is diarrhea, sometimes with an admixture of blood, which, due to atony of the gastrointestinal tract, turns into constipation. In females, milk production decreases sharply, and then completely stops milk production. Milk has a saffron yellow color.

At pregnant bitches especially in the second half there are abortions. coat in a sick dog disheveled, dull, with a large layer of dandruff. A few days after the onset of the disease on the mucous membranes of the cheeks, tongue, gums, as well as on the skin of the back, neck, lips, tail and other places, small necrotic areas. Necrosis leads to the formation of ulcers, erosions and bleeding. In sick animals, serous-purulent conjunctivitis is observed, due to which purulent white or greenish exudate accumulates in the corners of the eyes. In females, bubbles appear on the nipples, which quickly open, forming continuous crusts with longitudinal and transverse cracks.

With this form of the disease, there are large disturbances in the blood picture. There is a sharp decline quantities erythrocytes, hemoglobin drop to 10-30%. Affected dogs have leukocytosis, the number of bilirubin, content sugar drops sharply. The duration of the acute form of leptospirosis ranges from 3 to 10 days. If a sick dog is not provided with qualified veterinary care in time, then the disease ends fatally, with symptoms of severe asphyxia.

Subacute course leptospirosis in dogs is characterized by the same symptoms as in the acute form, only developing they are slower and less pronounced. The temperature can rise above 39.5°C, but for a short time, mainly at night. The fever is recurrent. Jaundice of the mucous membranes is not as pronounced as in acute course. Due to atony of the gastrointestinal tract, dogs develop persistent constipation.

Simultaneously with rhinitis and conjunctivitis, necrosis of the mucous membranes and skin is more pronounced. During walks, dogs experience rapid fatigue and sweating, ataxia, trembling of the limbs, lameness and muscle soreness. Some dogs develop paralysis of the limbs, sometimes epileptic seizures are observed. The duration of this form of the disease in dogs is 2-4 weeks.

chronic course leptospirosis in dogs happens rarely and is characterized by progressive emaciation, anemic mucous membranes, necrosis; inguinal and cervical lymph nodes are enlarged. There is a periodic short-term increase in body temperature, urine has a brown color. In dogs, frequent urination is observed, signs of nephritis appear, breathing quickens. Due to the increased irritability of the central nervous system, dogs avoid being in the sun, hiding in the shade or a booth. In sick dogs, hair shedding is delayed, foci of baldness appear in the back, sacrum and other parts of the body. Bitches lose the ability to fertilize, and abortions occur at different stages of pregnancy, the birth of dead fetuses, prenatal and postnatal complications are noted. Puppies from such females are born frail and sick.

Atypical The (abortive) form of the disease in dogs is mild. There is a slight and short-term increase in body temperature (by 0.5-1°C), slight depression, anemic visible mucous membranes, slight icterus, short-term (from 12 hours to 3-4 days) hemoglobinuria. All of the above symptoms disappear after a few days and the dog recovers.

pathological changes. On the skin of dogs, necrotic areas of various sizes are found. Mucous membranes, as well as all tissues, are icteric. On the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, on the serous and mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, hemorrhages are noted. Lymph nodes are enlarged, icteric. The liver is enlarged in volume, flabby, has a clay color on the section, histologically, degeneration of liver cells is found. Leptospira are found between the liver cells. The kidneys are enlarged in volume, under the hemorrhage capsule, the border between the cortical and medulla is smoothed, histologically marked perenchymatous or interstitial nephritis. Leptospira are found in the lumen of the tubules. In the cavity of the bladder red urine, on the mucosa - dotted and striped hemorrhages. In the lungs - congestion.

Diagnosis. An intravital preliminary diagnosis of leptospirosis is made on the basis of epizootological data and clinical signs that are characteristic of leptospirosis. The final diagnosis is established according to the results of laboratory studies (microscopic, bacteriological, serological and histological). The material for life-time diagnostics is the blood and urine of a sick dog.

Intravital diagnosis considered for leptospirosis established when leptospira is detected by microscopy; establishing an increase in antibody titer during re-examination; if specific antibodies are found in the blood serum during a single study by PMA in a titer of 1:100 and above.

differential diagnosis. It is necessary first of all to exclude food poisoning and alimentary poisoning.

Forecast. For fulminant, acute, and subacute forms of leptospirosis, the prognosis is generally poor or fatal.

Treatment. Dogs with leptospirosis are isolated and complex treatment is carried out, including etiotropic(specific) therapy - the use of hyperimmune antileptospiral serum and pathogenetic therapy.

Hyperimmune antileptospirosis serum is administered to sick dogs subcutaneously at a dose of 0.5 ml per 1 kg of body weight once a day for 2-3 days. Serum is especially effective if applied at the very beginning of the disease.

A course of antibiotic therapy with drugs of the group penicillin that are effective against leptospira of various serogroups (benzylpenicillin, bicillin-1, bicillin-3). Dose of bicillin preparations: 10-20 thousand. ED per 1 kg of animal weight 1 time in 3 days (2 times a week). To stop leptospiremia, a course of antibiotic treatment should consist of 2 to 6 injections. It is considered effective to use streptomycin at a dose of 10-15 thousand units per 1 kg of dog body weight 2 times a day for 5 days.

pathogenic therapy. With severe hemorrhages, sick dogs should use drugs that increase blood clotting (calcium chloride or calcium gluconate), rutin, vikasol. To reduce intoxication of the body, intravenous or drip injections of saline solutions with a high content of potassium ions, hemodez with glucose are recommended.

For the relief of renal failure in the initial stage of the disease, osmotic diuretics are indicated: 20% mannitol solution, 4% sodium bicarbonate solution, 20% glucose solution with insulin.

To normalize liver function, sirepar, vitagepat, lipoic acid, B vitamins (B-1, B-2, B-6, and B12), folic, ascorbic and glutamic acid are used.

In severe liver failure, the use of corticosteroid drugs (prednisolone, dexamethasone) is recommended.

Symptomatic therapy. With cardio - vascular insufficiency - cocarboxylase and cardiotonic drugs. With severe vomiting, antiemetics and intravenous administration of gemodez.

Prevention. For the prevention of leptospirosis in dogs, both domestic and foreign mono-, polyvalent and associated vaccines are used: Biovac-L, vaccine against leptospirosis in dogs (NPO Narvak), polyvalent vaccine VGNKI against leptospirosis in animals, etc. (Russia), Leptodog (France). ) and etc.; domestic associated vaccines - Biovak-DPAL, Biorabik (NPO Biocenter), Geksakanivac, Dipentavak (JSC "Vetzverocenter"), Multikan-6 (NPO "Narvak"); foreign associated vaccines Hexadog, Leptorabizin (France), Vanguard-5b, Vanguard-7 (USA), etc.

For passive immunization puppies and adult dogs in an unfavorable epizootic situation for leptospirosis, especially when animals are kept in a group, it is necessary to use hyperimmune serum against leptospirosis, as well as use the active-passive immunization method, which involves the simultaneous administration of a vaccine and hyperimmune serum against dog leptospirosis.

Owners of sick dogs, and persons caring for them, based on the fact that these animals pose an immediate epidemic danger to people, must strictly observe personal hygiene and preventive measures get vaccinated against leptospirosis.

Owners of summer cottages and personal farmsteads containing dogs should systematically engage in deratization(destruction of rodents) on their sites.

There are not many diseases that are dangerous not only for animals, but also for humans. One such disease is leptospirosis. Due to its lightning current, it is not always possible to save a pet, therefore, the owner must recognize the symptoms in a timely manner and quickly take the dog to the clinic.

Leptospirosis often affects young animals (up to 2-3 years). The causative agent belongs to the genus Leptospira and looks like a thin thread twisted into a spiral, its size is up to 20 microns in length. These microorganisms are divided into several groups: L. Canicolau, L. Icterohaemorrhagiae and L. Grippotyphosa.

Leptospirosis is highly contagious. Ill and sick individuals (foxes, cats, dogs, rodents) excrete the pathogen with feces, urine, sputum from the lungs. Dogs can be carriers up to 3-4 years of age. Outbreaks are more common during the summer and autumn months.


Dogs get infected leptospirosis in the following ways:

• through food or water in which pathogens are located;
• when eating dead animals that were ill with leptospirosis;
• when swimming in ponds, lakes and other bodies of water in which pathogens are located;
• when mating with a carrier of the disease.

The causative agent of leptospirosis lives for a long time in water bodies (up to 200 days) and in moist soil (up to 250 days). Dry soil is dangerous for the microorganism, since they die in it within 12 hours. The incubation period in dogs lasts from 2 to 12 days.

Important! With a rapid course, animals die in 60-80% of cases a few days after the first symptoms appear.

Leptospirosis in dogs: symptoms and treatment of the disease

Leptospirosis occurs in several forms:

• latent (without the manifestation of obvious symptoms);
• chronic;
• super-sharp;
• subacute;
• acute.

The hallmarks of the disease are hemorrhagic syndrome (bleeding) or jaundice (due to damage to the liver and kidneys).

Symptoms, stages and diagnosis

The table details the manifestations of various forms, as well as signs of leptospirosis in a dog.

Form of the disease	Symptoms
1. Latent (atypical)	This form is the most harmless. The dog feels a little depressed, the temperature rises slightly (no more than 1 degree). The mucous membranes either turn pale or turn slightly yellow. After a few days, the signs of the disease disappear, and the animal recovers.
2. Chronic	This form is less common than the others. The dog loses weight, the mucous membranes turn pale, the lymph nodes in the groin and under the jaw increase. The temperature periodically rises, at the same time the urine darkens (to a dark yellow or brown color). Sick dogs hide in the shade, dead puppies are born in pregnant bitches, various complications arise. Hair falls out on the sacrum and other parts of the body.
3. Super-sharp (lightning fast)	This form lasts up to 2 days. The dog's temperature rises sharply to 41.5 degrees and lasts for several hours, then drops to 38 degrees, in some cases the animals become violent. Symptoms of leptospirosis in dogs: mucous membranes turn yellow, breathing quickens. If you do not help, she dies a couple of days after the first manifestations of symptoms.
4. Sharp	This form is usually found in juveniles. Animals have a fever (up to 41.5 degrees), after a few days the mucous membranes and sclera turn yellow. Urine turns dark brown and is excreted in small portions. Often in dogs diarrhea is observed, blood impurities are noticeable in the feces. Sick animals experience severe pain in the lumbar region, arch their back, and show anxiety. Dandruff appears in the coat, ulcers, bruises and erosion form on the skin due to necrosis.
5. Subacute	The duration of this form is 2-3 weeks. The temperature rarely exceeds 39.5 degrees. The animal is weakened, its limbs tremble. Purulent discharge accumulates in the corners of the eyes. The remaining symptoms are similar to the acute form, but are not so pronounced.

Leptospirosis in dogs: symptoms and treatment are determined by a veterinarian after proper diagnosis.

Attention! Leptospirosis is diagnosed after laboratory tests.

The following are possible laboratory research:

• serology (study of blood serum);
• biological sample (the blood of a sick individual is injected into an experimental animal: a rabbit or a guinea pig);
• microscopy of urine (it is collected only from those individuals who have not yet taken antibiotics).

Treatment of the disease

Treatment for leptospirosis is the destruction of the causative agent of the disease, the elimination of associated symptoms and the maintenance of the body. Here is a scheme that will help to cope with the disease:

1. Serum administration against hyperimmune leptospirosis (dosage - per 1 kg of body weight 0.5 ml of the drug) once a day for 2-3 days.
2. Administration intramuscularly, under the skin or intravenously (depending on the drug) antibiotics: Bicillin-1 or Bicillin-3, Streptomycin, Penicillin, Amoxicillin. The dosage of antibacterial drugs is selected by the veterinarian.
3. If the veterinary clinic has the appropriate equipment, the sick dog is given hemodialysis that allows you to quickly remove the pathogen from the blood.
4. Treatment for leptospirosis in dogs intravenous fluid infusion: glucose, Ringer's solution or saline.
5. Spasms relieve No-shpa in liquid form.
6. To support the liver use drugs: Essentiale, LIV-52, Karsil, etc.
7. To relieve inflammation use Flamin or Dexafort.
8. The affected areas of the skin are treated hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine or Miramistin.
9. To get rid of vomiting use Cerucal.
10. To keep the heart working prescribe injections of Riboxin, vitamins B and C.

During treatment, the dog is placed on a low-protein diet. With timely treatment, more than 50% of patients recover in 2-3 weeks.

Important! If the kidneys and liver are seriously affected, then there is a high risk of death.

Prevention and rules of communication with a sick dog

The only effective measure(drugs Biovak, Nobivak, Multikan, etc.). Prevention of leptospirosis is complemented by restrictive measures.

Leptospirosis in dogs is transmitted to humans, therefore, when treating and communicating with a sick animal, change of clothes and gloves should be worn. The places where the patient defecated are washed with bleach or disinfectants with iodine.

Leptospirosis is one of the most dangerous, including or Take your pet to the clinic immediately if it shows signs of illness. Early treatment can save your pet's life.

For more information, check out the video about leptospirosis in dogs:

The disease is of an acute nature, all types of mammals are ill.

The danger of leptospirosis for humans

It is very dangerous for humans, so you should be extremely careful when caring for sick dogs.

For the first time this pathology was mentioned in 1850. It was also called differently: canine typhus, infectious jaundice, Weil's disease . Found in most parts of Europe and America.

Pathogen

• The microorganism of a filamentous form, belonging to the leptospiral genus - Lcptos - small, Spiros - a hook or curl, contributes to the occurrence of infection.
• Length from 6 to 20 microns, width 0.1–0.5 microns. As a rule, the pathogen is coiled, and there are about forty curls in one spiral.
• The pathogen is extremely mobile, constantly rotating and moving forward, which means it spreads throughout the body.

Subspecies

• Each of the subspecies, in turn, belongs to a specific family of serovariants.
• This pathogen can perfectly exist in environmental conditions, especially in humid places - reservoirs, which indicates their extreme endurance.
• However, the microorganism is sensitive to an acidic environment and direct exposure to ultraviolet radiation - sunlight.
• But heating or boiling is also detrimental to it.

Subspecies of the pathogen like to live in a humid environment.

Features of the development of leptospirosis in dogs

Leptospirosis develops in dogs with weak immunity.

The pathogenesis of the disease is practically not studied, but most experts tend to think that all breeds are predisposed to infection, regardless of gender, age or season.

However, it is worth noting that most cases of infections in dogs with fragile or weakened immunity by various pathologies, and a more severe form is inherent in animals older than two years of age.

How is it transmitted to humans

Infection appears in the alimentary way or through external damaged tissues.

After contact with an animal, be sure to wash your hands.

As for dogs, most often, infection is alimentary, through the use of dirty water or other elements. In any case, the course of the disease does not depend on the mode of infection.

Stages of disease development

Pathology is divided into two stages of the course: bacteremic and toxic stage.

At bacteremic stage happens:

• entry into the body of the pathogen;
• reproduction of a microorganism;
• migration into the blood;
• migration to parenchymal organs.

The bacteremic stage is characterized by infection of the blood.

At this stage, the multiplied pathogen widely releases harmful toxins, which leads to increased permeability of blood vessels.

toxic stage

In the toxic stage, the dog has renal edema.

The toxic stage is characterized by the following processes:

• separation of hepatocytes;
• violation of the formation of bilirubin;
• renal edema;
• damage to the renal epithelium.
• Both of these stages contribute to the occurrence of hemorrhagic disease.
• The released toxins actively destroy the epithelium and endothelium of internal organs, the walls of blood vessels and can even provoke necrosis of damaged tissues.

signs

Pathology can occur in two forms - icteric and hemorrhagic form.

During the period of the disease, the dog is diagnosed with depression.

Young animals are most often characterized by the icteric form of the disease, while older individuals, as a rule, become infected with the hemorrhagic form. It is worth noting that there are no sharp differences in symptoms between these forms, and therefore the treatment process does not differ. Latent forms of infection are less common, during which symptoms are almost absent or mild.

Main features:

• depression;
• refusal of food;
• septic fever;
• bloody;
• diarrhea;
• constipation;
• intestinal intussusception;
• skin hemorrhagic foci;
• necrosis of mucous surfaces;
• jaundice.

Symptoms

Often, the dog has an alternation of hyperthermia and hypothermia, the dog is very depressed, does not respond to the call of the owner. Blood may be present in the urine, blood clots may be present in the feces. Further, the urine becomes brown.

Shortness of breath is one of the symptoms of leptospirosis.

In the mouth, in the nose or on the surface of the skin, reddened foci first appear, which gradually turn into dead tissue. The transition of pathology to the chronic stage is characterized by an alternation of exacerbation and decline in symptoms. Weight loss, muscle trembling, eyes sunken, cloudy are recorded.

Further, signs of respiratory damage increase: shortness of breath, wheezing in the bronchi. Such signs can still indicate a progressive. The last stage is expressed as a coma, after which death occurs.

Diagnosis and treatment

The diagnosis is made on the basis of the clinical picture and serological data of the study. The serological method of research consists in the reaction of microagglutination, hemagglutination, enzyme immunoassay.

Based on the clinical picture, a diagnosis is made.

Therapy

The therapeutic complex should be aimed at the dynamics of the disease.

Therapy includes the use of immune sera.

1. The early stage is stopped by preventing the growth of bacteria, reducing the activity of the pathogen. This treatment is directed to the elimination of intoxication of the body.
2. First of all, etiotropic therapy is prescribed, which includes the use of immune preparations. Assign hyperimmune leptospirosis sera of convalescent dogs, immunostimulants that affect the B-system.

Antibiotics

Treating pets with antibiotics.

• Recommended drugs: penicillin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, aureomycin, terramycin, polymyxin, neomycin . It should be borne in mind that tetracycline antibiotics are doubtful in generalized hemorrhage, since these drugs can enhance the permeability of blood vessels.
• But it is also advisable to use drugs of the cephalosporin series - kefzol, klaforan and the quinolone series - ciprofloxacin, tsiprolet.

pathogenic type

The pathogenetic type of treatment is aimed at preventing the pathogenic mechanism. If there is a severe hemorrhagic lesion, the introduction of drugs that improve blood clotting is allowed. Calcium chloride, calcium gluconate, vikasol, rutin, aminocaproic acid are prescribed.

The drug Vikasol improves blood clotting.

severe stage

The severe stage is stopped by intravenous infusion of saline with the addition of potassium ions, since hypoglycemia may be present during the pathology.

And also a solution of Hemodez is injected into the vein along with glucose or polyglucin. Renal failure is eliminated with a solution of mannitol, a solution of sodium bicarbonate, glucose, together with insulin. Assign lasix, testosterone-propionate.

In the severe stage of the disease, the drug Lasix is ​​​​used.

Liver Support

The liver is supported by the use of sirepar, vitagepat, lipoic acid, corticosteroid drugs - dexamethasone, prednisolone. Symptomatic treatment is necessary. To relieve symptoms and alleviate the general condition of the animal, drugs that support cardiac activity - cocarboxylase are used. Assign antiemetics in the form of an intravenous infusion of Hemodez.

Lipoic acid is prescribed to support the liver.

Prevention of leptospirosis in dogs

Prevention is carried out by introducing vaccines that are developed from two strains: L.canicola and L.icterohaemorragiae. Typically, these funds should be part of an associated vaccine. As a passive immunization, hyperimmune sera are administered, which can prevent infection for fourteen days.

Vaccination is used to prevent leptospirosis.

Among other things, owners need to prevent a decrease in immunity in dogs, to prevent infection with any pathology, so as not to create a favorable environment for infection with leptospirosis. In no case do not ignore the planned medical examination, vaccinate and treat the habitat in a timely manner. Limit questionable contact with other dogs. In addition, the owners must remember about their own safety in view of the fact that this disease is extremely dangerous for humans.

Video about infectious diseases in dogs