Leptospirosis in dogs - details about the disease. Dangerous infectious disease

All breeds are susceptible to leptospirosis. Leptospirosis in dogs is considered one of the most common diseases. Leptospirosis is especially difficult for breeds with a loose body structure, such as: Neapolitan Mastino; bullmastiff; English bulldog; French Bulldog; boxer; lapdog; bloodhound; basset hound. Leptospirosis affects all mammals, including humans. Leptospirosis in dogs is an infectious disease that affects blood vessels, liver, kidneys and other organs. Characterized by a sharp increase in temperature, diarrhea, and cessation of urine production.

At the beginning of the disease, the dog moves much less than usual. In the first days he lies down a lot, refuses food, and is reluctant to respond to commands. The temperature rises to 39.7 - 41 degrees, sometimes higher. Within 3 - 7 days, breathing becomes more frequent. Diarrhea and vomiting appear, sometimes with blood. An unpleasant odor appears from the mouth, and the inner surface may acquire a yellow tint. Sometimes spots are visible on the nose. After a few days, areas of death form and the nose begins to crumble.

Urine becomes brown and the amount decreases. Sores form in the mouth, and a coating with a pungent odor appears on the skin and fur. After a few days, diarrhea gives way to constipation, the animal refuses water. Breathing becomes heavy, sometimes with gurgling wheezing. Developing severe exhaustion, the temperature drops to 37 degrees and below. After a few days, cramps appear.

Recently, leptospirosis in dogs has been developing without full manifestation of symptoms.

Leptospirosis in dogs - causes and course

Secondary causes of leptospirosis in dogs:

decreased immunity;
mistakes in feeding and keeping a dog.

Leptospirosis affects all mammals, including humans. Leptospirosis in dogs is an infectious disease that affects blood vessels, liver, kidneys and other organs.

They help the infection develop, but do not have a major effect. The causative agents of the disease, Leptospira, are microbes with a low oxygen requirement. Able to reproduce in soil at high humidity and temperature. They last for about 280 days in stagnant water. Capable of breeding in swamps and bottom silt. The microbe is very sensitive to acids; it persists in solutions of weak alkalis for several hours. In dry soil it dies within a day. Contact with sunlight can't stand it. Leptospira are mobile. Some subspecies are able to penetrate intact skin.

The disease is caused in dogs four Leptospira subspecies.

The pathogen accumulates in the body of rats and mice. The source of infection is the feces of sick animals, rats and mice. The main route of infection for dogs is through consumption of contaminated water and food. Most often, infection occurs from March to December, but a dog can get sick at any time of the year.

Leptospirosis in dogs - treatment

Complex, carried out in the blade. Manipulations are aimed at:

destruction of the pathogen;
restoration of the heart and blood vessels;
elimination of intoxication;
restoration of kidney and liver function;
stopping diarrhea and vomiting.

Most medications are given intravenously. Due to exhaustion, the condition of the heart and blood vessels, medications administered subcutaneously and sometimes intramuscularly are not absorbed. Consequently, the drugs do not have the desired effect.

The destruction of the pathogen is carried out in two ways. To combat leptospira in the blood, serums with antibodies are used. In addition to directly binding leptospira, serums stimulate the immune system. To destroy the pathogen in the organs, antibiotics are prescribed. The choice of antibiotic depends on the condition of the animal and the Leptospira subspecies common in a particular area.

Restoring the functioning of the heart and blood vessels requires an assessment of the dog’s condition by an experienced doctor. On the one hand, to maintain metabolism, salt solutions (Ringer's, Ringer-Locke and others) are needed, on the other hand, nutrient solutions (5% glucose, hydrolysine, rheopolyglucin) are needed. Damage to blood vessels is restored by rutin, B vitamins, and ascorbic acid. To improve the nutrition of the heart muscle, riboxin, thiotriazolin, and similar medications are used.

Elimination of intoxication is partially achieved by the introduction of saline and nutrient solutions. Sodium thiosulfate, glutargin and similar drugs are used to bind toxins. The choice is determined by the stage of the disease and the condition of the animal.

In the early stages of the disease, when urine production is preserved, a 40% glucose solution or 25% magnesium sulfate is used to remove toxins.

Restoration of the liver and kidneys begins simultaneously with the destruction of the pathogen. Lespenefril or similar drugs are used to restore kidney function. The liver is restored by introducing special enzymes (essentiale). After stopping the diarrhea and vomiting, Karsil or Galstena is prescribed for several months.

Homeopathic medicines are rarely prescribed. In some cases, the combination of conventional drugs with homeopathic ones (such as galstena) leads to an increase in some symptoms and a complication of the condition of an already exhausted animal.

Stopping diarrhea and vomiting is required in most cases. Attacks of vomiting are eliminated by cerucal. The medicine is used with caution due to its difficult to predict effect on the intestines.

Enterosgel and similar medications are used to stop diarrhea.

Leptospirosis permanently undermines a dog's health. If your pet suddenly loses enthusiasm, lies down and breathes heavily, if your dog has diarrhea or vomiting, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Leptospirosis in dogs is considered one of the most common diseases

Once in the body, leptospira rushes into the blood and multiplies. The immune system quickly responds by accelerating the production of antibodies and increasing the activity of macrophages. The body temperature rises sharply.

The shell of Leptospira is covered with toxins that destroy blood and vessel walls. The pathogen constantly produces poisons. However, the real storehouse of toxins is dead microbes. During decomposition, the pathogen releases a mixture of aggressive substances. Some destroy the blood, others dissolve the walls of nearby cells, and others poison neurons. Blood leaks from damaged vessels, nutrients do not reach many small areas of the body.

Once in the liver and kidneys, the pathogen feeds on substances necessary for the functioning of the organs. Escaping from macrophages, the pathogen invades the cells.

Liver function is impaired; The toxins produced in the body are becoming less and less neutralized. With the bloodstream, leptospira are carried into the intestines and damage it. The pathogen destroys inner surface. Hemorrhages and diarrhea begin. Blood passes into the stool. Similar processes occur in the stomach. Blood entering the stomach gives the stool a green tint. Bleeding from the intestines stains the stool brown color.

In the liver, Leptospira damages the cells responsible for urine production. First, the mechanism of urine concentration is disrupted; Along with toxins, many necessary substances are removed from the body. Urine production then stops, but may resume with treatment.

At the same time, the blood is destroyed. Toxins accumulate in the body. Poisons enter the brain, causing vomiting and convulsions. Without medical assistance, by the beginning of the third week, death occurs from exhaustion and intoxication. If you do not see a doctor in a timely manner, the mortality rate reaches 25%.

Leptospirosis most often affects young animals (up to 2-3 years). The pathogen 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. Recovered and sick individuals (foxes, cats, dogs, rodents) excrete the pathogen in feces, urine, and sputum from the lungs. Dogs can be carriers for up to 3-4 years. Outbreaks occur more frequently during the summer and fall months. Dogs become infected with leptospirosis in the following ways:

through food or water that contains pathogens;
when eating dead animals that suffered from leptospirosis;
when swimming in ponds, lakes and other bodies of water that contain pathogens;
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 wet soil (up to 250 days). Dry soil is dangerous for microorganisms, as they die in it within 12 hours. The incubation period in dogs lasts from 2 to 12 days.

Leptospirosis is a dangerous disease that affects blood vessels, kidneys, liver and other body systems.

The causative agents of the disease are Leptospira bacteria, characterized by:

spiral shape, allowing it to spread freely and quickly within the body after penetration;
resistance to adverse factors.

Treatment of leptospirosis depends on the symptoms shown in the dog, so cases where the symptoms are mild and go unnoticed for a long time are especially dangerous.

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

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

Routes of infection

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

The routes of infection can be different:

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

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

A person can also become infected with leptospirosis from a dog. Therefore, if there is a sick animal at home, it is necessary to limit contact with it. When processing, use gloves, a mask, put on a change of clothes, which should be boiled after use. Wash areas where your dog defecates using disinfectants.

Pathogenesis

Leptospires easily penetrate the body through mucous membranes or damaged skin and are carried through the bloodstream to the parenchymal organs (kidneys, liver, lungs), where they multiply intensively for 2-12 days (duration incubation period). Then the pathogen enters the blood again, releasing a large number of toxins. In this case, hyperthermia and intoxication of the body are noted in sick animals.

In particular, Leptospira toxins destroy the endothelium of capillaries, causing an increase in their permeability, as well as significant disruption of various parts of hemostasis, in particular stopping blood flow in the vessels of organs and tissues. This pathology is observed in severe cases of leptospirosis (N.B. Primachenko, 1986).

Isolation of Leptospira from the body occurs 5-7 days after infection and can continue, depending on the form of the disease, for several weeks, months, and in some cases years. This is explained by the fact that even after clinical (incomplete) recovery in recovered animals, leptospires located in the convoluted tubules of the kidneys are inaccessible to the action of specific immunoglobulins. This is precisely the reason prolonged discharge pathogen with urine (R.F. Sosov, 1974; I.A. Bakulov, 1999, etc.).

Causes of leptospirosis

The occurrence of the disease is caused by poor health, unable to resist bacteria. In this regard, the risk group includes:

older dogs;
puppies up to six months;
animals with chronic diseases.

You can become infected with Leptospira through:

Consuming contaminated food or water. Raw meat is especially dangerous.
Swimming in ponds with standing water. In puddles and creeks, bacteria live for about 200 days without a host. Their reproduction decreases only at low temperatures.
Contact with infected animals. The danger is posed not only by sick dogs, but also by small rodents that spread the infection.
Crowded conditions. If one of the dogs kept in the kennel is sick with leptospirosis, then all the animals will be at risk.
The bite of an insect that is a carrier.
Birth or feeding. Leptospirosis during pregnancy or lactation is equally dangerous for mother and puppy.

Main symptoms

You can suspect the development of leptospirosis from the first symptoms that affect sharp decline activity and gradual deterioration of well-being. A sick dog has:

A jump in temperature to 42°, accelerated heart rate and increased breathing.
Vomiting and diarrhea. There is blood in vomit and feces. Due to dehydration, diarrhea gives way to constipation.
Fetid ammonia odor from the mouth, which appears when the mucous membranes turn yellow. In addition to the mucous membranes, the whites and conjunctiva of the dog’s eyes turn yellow.
Plaque formation with unpleasant smell on fur and skin.
Change in urine color to brown, stained with traces of blood. The pet refuses water, which leads to a gradual reduction in urination and the development of kidney failure.
Severe pain when palpating the abdomen.
The appearance of purulent ulcers in oral cavity, resembling small scratches.
"Crumbling" of the nose. The formation of weeping spots on the lobe leads to the death of the tissue after it dries.
Heaviness of breathing, accompanied by wheezing and gurgling. In some cases of leptospirosis, convulsive seizures are recorded in dogs.

In some dogs, the disease may be asymptomatic, but the symptoms are especially pronounced in breeds with folded skin:

bulldogs;
basset hounds;
pugs;
Shar Pei;
mastiffs;
bloodhounds.

The onset of the disease can occur due to contact with sick dogs and other animals. Sharing feeders, drinking bowls, and beds with other dogs can spread the disease from individual to individual. Many rodents, such as rats or mice, being carriers of leptospirosis, do not get sick themselves, but infect everything around them.

Urban dogs are more likely to get sick due to reduced immunity and unfavorable living conditions, and hunting breeds are more likely to get sick due to the specific nature of contact with wild animals. Walking with a dog in low-lying areas with stagnant puddles and ponds also leads to this dangerous disease pet. A dog can get sick from flea and tick bites.

Kinds

There are six known species of Lectospira bacteria. The disease in dogs can occur in two forms:

icteric leptospirosis;
hemorrhagic leptospirosis (anicteric).

The icteric form is caused by pathogenic bacteria of the species L.icterohaemorrhagiae, the anicteric form is caused by L.pomona.

Depending on the manifestations and degree of organ damage, the disease can be acute, subacute, chronic and latent. First, bacteria penetrate the blood and spread throughout the body. Then they are localized in parenchymal organs: liver, kidneys, lungs. In these foci, intensive division of bacteria and release of toxins begins. Destruction first occurs at the cellular level, then the walls of blood vessels are corroded, and subsequently organs and systems begin to suffer.

Stages of development of the disease and its forms

Leptospirosis in any dog can occur in acute, subacute or chronic form. Which one it will develop into depends on the Leptospira serogroup and the level of its virulence, the number of bacterial pathogens that have entered the blood of the quadruped, and the state of its immunity. The severity of the disease depends on the intensity of the lesion:

in the liver and kidneys, which is expressed by jaundice;
in the capillaries, which is expressed by hemorrhages (hemorrhages).

On this basis, two forms of “canine typhus” are distinguished: icteric and hemorrhagic. The first of them occurs more often in small puppies and young individuals under 2 years of age and is expressed as follows:

The animal's temperature rises and anorexia gradually develops, that is, complete failure from food and water, which is accompanied by apathy and depression.
Since in this form of the disease leptospires are concentrated in the liver and kidneys, sick dogs experience an increase in these organs, and then severe hepatopathy, expressed in inflammation and degenerative change liver cells, as well as acute liver and kidney failure.

“Canine typhus” occurs in the icteric form in 2 variants: acute and subacute. Each of them lasts 1–4 days and 10–15 days, respectively. Without treatment, animal mortality in the first case is 60-80%, and in the second - 30-50%.

The hemorrhagic form also occurs acutely and subacutely, but is expressed not in jaundice, but in bleeding of the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose of animals, internal organs Gastrointestinal tract, as well as in subcutaneous hemorrhages due to pathological permeability of capillary walls caused by exposure to toxins secreted by Leptospira bacteria.

Both the icteric and hemorrhagic forms, which occur subacutely, if treatment is not carried out, often develop into chronic stage. IN in this case all symptoms weaken so much that they become almost invisible (sometimes there are disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract). But recovery does not occur, and sick dogs remain carriers and distributors of bacteria.

Signs and symptoms

The incubation period of the disease is 7–14 days, after which signs of infection appear. The disease begins acutely, most often the first symptom is fever.

In the clinical picture of the disease, the following main syndromes can be distinguished:

fever, intoxication syndrome;
myalgia (muscle pain);
kidney damage;
liver damage;
hemorrhagic syndrome.

Depending on the form of the disease, certain symptoms may predominate. At a late stage of the disease, symptoms of damage to the cardiovascular and central nervous systems may appear.

Hemorrhagic

In this form, hemorrhagic syndrome predominates. It can be manifested by the appearance of petechiae (point hemorrhages) on visible areas of the skin or mucous membranes. If the disease progresses, then signs of bleeding appear: nasal, gastrointestinal. Bleeding is very dangerous for a dog, as it can be fatal if left untreated.

The main syndrome is hemorrhagic, but additional symptoms are also present. These include fever, lethargy, drowsiness, and red eyes.

Jaundice

For this form of the disease, the main symptom is liver damage. Clinically, this is manifested by yellowness of the mucous membrane and visible areas of the skin. Due to the fact that the liver cannot cope with the detoxification function, severe intoxication syndrome appears. In the future, signs of a hemorrhagic form may appear. This is due to the fact that the liver produces some blood clotting factors.

Additional signs of the disease include:

fever;
vomiting, diarrhea;
decreased urine output;
significant dehydration.

Young dogs are more likely to develop the icteric form of leptospirosis. First there is a short-term increase in temperature, which goes away on its own. Other symptoms of the disease do not appear for some time. Then signs of anemia appear. The dog becomes lethargic, apathetic, loses appetite, and lies all the time. In this case, the animal’s liver is affected and hemoglobin is quickly destroyed. Diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice appear, and traces of hemorrhages are visible in the oral cavity.

In older dogs, in most cases, anicteric form of leptospirosis is observed. First, the body temperature rises sharply to 41℃, there is severe thirst, dry mucous membranes, and loss of appetite. On the second day, the temperature drops to 37℃, the mucous membranes begin to bleed, and necrotic lesions appear. At this time, red blood cells are destroyed by bacteria, and blood vessels become clogged.

Then severe vomiting and diarrhea with blood begins, the entire gastrointestinal tract system is affected. Suddenly, diarrhea may change to constipation. The dog is lethargic and apathetic, does not stand up and refuses to eat. Then the leptospires penetrate the membranes of the brain, and severe nervous disorders and convulsions occur. With leptospirosis, mortality occurs in 55-60% of cases.

In some dogs, the disease becomes chronic. Then problems with internal organs arise periodically, with different intensity. Immunity gradually decreases. Body temperature may be normal or slightly elevated. Palpation of the peritoneum causes pain in the dog.

The disease is difficult to recognize at an early stage, since at the beginning the symptoms of leptospirosis in dogs are similar to distemper, hepatitis and nephritis. There are two types of disease depending on the microbe that causes leptospirosis: Leptospira Canicola and Icterohemorrhagiae. Their symptoms are common, but the second type is more severe.

Common signs of leptospirosis in dogs: lethargy, weight loss, tightness in the hindquarters, loose stool and temperature 39.8-40.7 °C. The small arteries on the whites of the eyes become clogged, which often gives them copper- yellow tint. In subsequent stages of the disease, the temperature drops to normal or lower.

If your dog has a milder form of leptospirosis (Canicola), the urine may be orange, chocolate or Brown, there may be traces of blood in it.

The main symptom of the second type (Icterohemorrhagiae) is jaundice. As the disease develops in the whites of the eyes, the mucous membrane of the mouth and skin turn yellow.

By the time jaundice is noticed, the damage to the liver and kidneys is so severe that recovery is impossible.

Massive diseases of dogs with leptospirosis are recorded from May to November. Isolated cases of the disease are possible throughout the year. In many cases, the disease proceeds covertly, without clear clinical signs. 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.

The incubation period for canine leptospirosis ranges from 2 to 15 days. The disease occurs acutely, subacutely, chronically and asymptomatically. In dogs, hemorrhagic and icteric forms of leptospirosis are distinguished.

Symptoms and forms of the disease

At the very beginning of the disease, the sick dog becomes inactive, lethargic and apathetic. Most She lies for a while, does not eat and is reluctant to follow commands. Over the next 3–7 days, leptospirosis begins to manifest itself with the following symptoms:

the animal has a fever (its temperature rises to 40–41.5 °C);
breathing quickens;
diarrhea and vomiting appear, sometimes with blood;
the mouth begins to stink, and its mucous membranes become yellow due to their staining with bilirubin (jaundice) and becoming covered with ulcers (stomatitis);
the skin and conjunctiva of the eyes also turn yellow;
mucous membranes of the mouth and nose bleed;
urine turns brown and its volume decreases.

After some time, the dog develops constipation, does not eat, does not drink, and is breathing heavily. The animal quickly and severely loses weight, its body temperature drops below 37°C, then convulsions appear. Very soon it all ends with his death. Sometimes leptospirosis (in latent form) in some dogs can develop without full symptoms, even practically asymptomatic.

Leptospirosis occurs in several forms:

latent (without the manifestation of obvious symptoms);
chronic;
hyperacute;
subacute;
acute.

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

The table describes in detail 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 others. The dog loses weight, the mucous membranes turn pale, and the lymph nodes in the groin and under the jaw enlarge. The temperature periodically rises, at the same time the urine darkens (to a dark yellow or brown color). Sick dogs hide in the shadows, pregnant bitches give birth to dead puppies, and various complications arise. Hair falls out on the sacrum and other parts of the body.
3. Ultra-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 becomes more frequent. If no help is provided, she dies within a couple of days after the first symptoms appear.
4. Spicy	This form usually occurs in young individuals. Animals experience fever (up to 41.5 degrees), after a few days the mucous membranes and sclera turn yellow. Urine turns dark brown and is released in small portions. Dogs often experience diarrhea, and blood is visible in the feces. Sick animals experience severe pain in the lumbar region, arch their back, and show anxiety. Dandruff appears in the fur, and ulcers, bruises and erosions 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 are trembling. Accumulates in the corners of the eyes purulent discharge. 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.

The following laboratory tests are possible:

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

Treatment of the disease

Treatment of leptospirosis consists of destroying the causative agent of the disease, eliminating accompanying symptoms and maintaining the functioning of the body. Here is a diagram that will help cope with the disease:

Serum injection against hyperimmune leptospirosis (dosage – 0.5 ml of the drug per 1 kg of body weight) once a day for 2-3 days.
Administration of antibiotics intramuscularly, subcutaneously or intravenously (depending on the drug): Bicillin-1 or Bicillin-3, Streptomycin, Penicillin, Amoxicillin. Dosage antibacterial drugs selected by a veterinarian.
If the veterinary clinic has the appropriate equipment, the sick dog undergoes hemodialysis, which allows you to quickly remove the pathogen from the blood.
Treatment for leptospirosis in dogs involves intravenous infusion liquids: glucose, Ringer's solution or saline.
Spasms are relieved with No-Spa in liquid form.
To support the liver they use the following drugs: Essentiale, LIV-52, Karsil, etc.
To relieve inflammation use Flamin or Dexafort.
The affected areas of the skin are treated hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine or Miramistin.
To get rid of vomiting use Cerucal.
To maintain heart function injections of Riboxin, vitamins B and C are prescribed.

During treatment, the dog is put on a diet with low content proteins. With timely treatment, more than 50% of patients recover within 2-3 weeks.

Leptospirosis occurs in icteric and hemorrhagic forms. The following symptoms are characteristic of jaundice:

The dog’s entire skin and mucous membranes take on a rich yellow color, and hemorrhages are visible here and there;
Darkening of urine color;
Vomiting occurs (sometimes with blood);
Swelling and tenderness of the abdomen due to an enlarged liver;
Refusal to eat and severe weakness;
Temperature.

If the disease occurs in a hemorrhagic form, the symptoms will be as follows:

Apathy and lack of appetite (the animal, however, drinks water);
High temperature (above 40.5-41 degrees) at the beginning of the disease and reduced in the subsequent period to 37-36.5 degrees;
Redness of the mucous membranes and the formation of ulcers;
External (from the mouth, nose, genitals) and internal (stomach, intestinal) bleeding;
Rare urge to urinate;
Abdominal pain;
Blood in stool and urine, vomiting blood;
Difficulty breathing;
Tachycardia;
Exhaustion;
Cramps.

It is worth noting that often the symptoms of icteric and hemorrhagic forms of leptospirosis are merged, that is, a dog can easily experience both jaundice and bleeding at the same time.

Since the disease is dangerous for both the dog and its owner, it makes sense to list the “human” symptoms of leptospirosis:

Strong headache and a state of brokenness;
Fever and chills;
Reluctance to eat due to extreme thirst;
Muscle pain;
Rash;
Intestinal and stomach disorders;
Swelling of the abdomen and discomfort in the liver area;
Discharge of blood from the nose, with feces, hemoptysis;
Eye ailments (uveitis, iritis);
Heart rhythm disturbances;
Development of pneumonia;
Yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes.

If you have the slightest suspicion of leptospirosis in yourself or one of your family members, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible, since complications such as meningitis are not uncommon.

Pneumonia, anemia, kidney failure.

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

The nature of the course of leptospirosis can be different:

Latent is the most harmless, in which the animal feels slight oppression. Pallor of the mucous membranes and slight yellowness are observed. After a few days, the symptoms disappear and the dog recovers.
Acute – the dog’s symptoms appear 1-2 days after infection. There is a fever of up to 41.5 degrees, the sclera and mucous membranes turn yellow, and 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 appears healthy. After this, the temperature rises, limbs tremble, and the same symptoms appear as with acute course, but they are less pronounced.
Chronic – rare, accompanies the animal for years. Signs of bacterial activity periodically worsen. The temperature may rise and the urine may darken. Sick bitches give birth to dead puppies.

By clinical manifestations There are hemorrhagic and icteric forms of leptospirosis.

Characteristic symptoms of the hemorrhagic form:

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

Icteric leptospirosis is characterized by:

acquisition of a rich yellow tint by the mucous membranes;
darkening of urine;
vomit;
liver enlargement;
refusal of food;
general weakness, exhaustion;
heat.

Note! Often dogs exhibit symptoms of icteric and hemorrhagic forms of the disease simultaneously.

Depending on the serogroup of the pathogen, the degree of its virulence, the magnitude of the infectious dose, as well as the state of specific immunity and resistance of the body, leptospirosis in dogs can occur in various forms: acute, subacute, chronic and latent (asymptomatic). The main criteria for the severity of the disease are the severity of hemorrhagic syndrome, kidney and liver damage (intensity of jaundice).

In this regard, most authors identify hemorrhagic and icteric forms of leptospirosis in dogs. In particular, it is noted that L.icterohaemorrhagiae usually causes the icteric form, Leptospira L.pomona - mainly hemorrhagic, rarely - icteric, and Lcanicola, as a rule, causes a hemorrhagic form without jaundice (S.A.

Lyubashenko, 1978; V.A. Chizhov et al., 1992). However, in our opinion, the icteric form, or rather the manifestation of icterus, is associated not only with the belonging of the causative agent of leptospirosis to a certain serogroup, but is largely due to the high virulence of a particular pathogen and the severity of liver damage. After all, it is acute liver failure that causes pronounced jaundice.

The hemorrhagic (anicteric) form of leptospirosis is observed mainly in older dogs. The disease most often occurs in acute or under acute form, begins suddenly and is characterized by short-term hyperthermia up to 40-41.5 ° C, severe depression, anorexia, increased thirst, hyperemia of the mucous membranes of the oral and nasal cavities, and conjunctiva.

Diagnostics in a veterinary clinic

In a veterinary clinic, when diagnosing sick four-legged animals, they take into account typical clinical signs, clarify the presence or absence of vaccination against leptospirosis and its date, and then conduct an examination. The main method for detecting leptospirosis is a serological study using the microaglutination reaction (PMA).

Additional methods for detecting the disease:

Dark-field microscopy. Fresh urine (taken no later than 0.5 hours) is taken from the dog as a biomaterial for research. This method is suitable for animals that have not previously been treated with antibiotics.
Biological sample. For research, 3–5 ml of blood is taken from the animal and injected into experimental animals.
Blood chemistry. It is used to determine the level of functioning of organs affected by bacteria.

Also carry out differential diagnosis, in order to exclude food poisoning, infectious hepatitis and plague.

For successful treatment, it is important to carry out timely diagnosis to avoid transition to the toxic stage.

To determine leptospirosis, the following is examined:

urine showing the presence of bacteria;
blood showing the presence of antibodies to Leptospira.

Used to diagnose leptospirosis laboratory methods research. General clinical examination includes:

Complete blood count (CBC). It reveals an increase in the number of leukocytes and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). These indicators are not specific, they just indicate the presence of a bacterial infection.
General urinalysis (UCA). Oliguria (decreased amount of urine excreted) is observed, red blood cells, white blood cells and protein may appear in the urine. This indicates kidney damage.
Blood chemistry. The functions of the kidneys and liver are examined. In the renal complex there is an increase in the level of creatinine and urea. In the liver complex - increased levels of bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST).

Specific diagnostics are aimed at identifying the infectious agent (leptospira). For this purpose it is used microscopic examination blood and serological methods (to detect antibodies).

Treatment of leptospirosis in dogs must necessarily include the prescription of medications.

Etiotropic treatment (aimed at combating the cause of the infection) consists of using antibacterial agents. Most often, a group of penicillins is prescribed, for example, Benzylpenicillin. The dosage of the drug is selected by the veterinarian individually and depends on the weight of the dog and the severity of the disease. In the first days of the disease, it is possible to prescribe immunological serum for passive immunization dogs.

Symptomatic treatment includes the following areas:

correction of dehydration. Consists of infusion of glucose-saline solutions;
restoration of liver function (prescribed “Karsil” or “Essentiale”);
stopping bleeding;
recovery of cardio-vascular system(“Riboxin”, “Ascorbic acid”).

For successful treatment of leptospirosis, it is important to recognize it in time and begin treatment as soon as possible. Experienced specialists only need to see the first symptoms of the disease to diagnose the disease. However laboratory diagnostics is also very important. It is necessarily carried out to determine the hidden form of the disease. When a disease is detected, blood tests help determine the severity of the disease and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

Laboratory diagnostics for leptospirosis includes tests:

blood;
urine;
discharge from the genitals.

The blood is tested for the presence of antibodies to pathogenic bacteria, urine and secretions are cultured and analyzed under a microscope for the presence of pathogens. A sick animal is tested weekly.

A doctor can make a diagnosis of leptospirosis only on the basis laboratory research, which will confirm the presence of Leptospira in the body.

Tests performed on animals:

serological examination of blood serum;
microscopy of urine, culture on nutrient media;
biological sample.

To assess the condition of internal organs, ultrasound and radiography are performed.

What is leptospirosis in dogs, and how does infection occur?

Leptospirosis in dogs is an acute natural focal disease that primarily affects nervous system, blood vessels and mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract ( gastrointestinal tract) animals. Its development and course is accompanied by intoxication, jaundice and often pronounced hemorrhagic syndrome.

Leptospirosis, or infectious jaundice, is a bacterial infection caused by spirochete bacteria of the genus Leptospira. It affects many mammals, but most often dogs, which is why the disease was previously called “canine typhus.” This disease is found in approximately 20% of these animals in Russia. Leptospirosis is transmitted to animals in several ways:

mainly nutritionally (through food: eaten meat of infected cows, pigs, sheep and fresh milk);
contact (via dirty water after swimming in bodies of water contaminated with leptospira and/or accidentally getting them into the dog’s gastrointestinal tract);
during mating (through the mucous membranes of the genital organs);
transmissibly (through the bites of blood-sucking insects and arachnids).

Most often, infection with Leptospira occurs in the warm season - from March to December, but dogs can also get sick in winter.

After infection with leptospirosis, it takes from 2 to 12 days before the first symptoms of the disease - this is how long the incubation period of the disease lasts. During this time, bacteria first penetrate into the blood and then into the internal organs (liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs), where they multiply intensively. At the end of the incubation period, leptospira again enters the blood vessels, where they release a large volume of toxins.

Leptospirosis in dogs, also known as Weil's disease or infectious jaundice, is caused by tiny Leptospira bacteria. Particularly at risk are puppies, young and weakened dogs, hunting animals, and yard dogs. The disease can be “spread” from one dog to another (through saliva, during mating); often the carriers are rodents and farm animals - intermediate hosts of Leptospira.

A healthy dog only needs to, say, communicate with a fellow dog who has recently been ill, eat bread bitten by a mouse, drink contaminated milk from a sick cow, or swim in a pond from which infected horses drank, and Leptospira will end up in his body. Bacteria are most aggressive in the warm and hot seasons, while in winter their activity is reduced, but not reduced to zero.

The first symptoms of a bacterial infection can appear as early as a day after infection, but sometimes the disease remains undetected for 3 weeks, and all this time the dog owners will remain blissfully unaware, because almost no symptoms of infection will be visible. Perhaps, except for a slight decrease in appetite and moderate lethargy, all other symptoms of leptospirosis in dogs will soon manifest themselves.

Leptospirosis in pets can take the following course:

Subacute - the dog looks healthy for 15-20 days after the invasion of the pathogen, after which the first signs of the disease appear, which are not too pronounced;
Spicy - the most dangerous form disease, it is believed that no more than 25% of dogs have a chance of survival. The first symptoms appear within a day or three after infection;
Chronic – when the disease accompanies the dog for years, periodically either without showing any symptoms or showing signs of bacterial activity.

Leptospira infection occurs through damaged skin or mucous membranes, as well as through the respiratory or sexual route. The process includes 2 main stages:

Bacteremic. After entering the body, bacteria move along lymphatic system to the bloodstream. Having reached the main systems (gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, respiratory) and organs (kidneys, lungs, liver) of the body, leptospira begins to actively reproduce, eliminating inflammatory processes. Incubation lasts from 2 days to 1 month.
Toxic. Having gone through incubation, the bacteria again rush into the bloodstream, releasing toxic products of their vital activity. Due to severe intoxication, the main symptoms begin to appear. The released substances thicken the blood, leading to thrombosis and pathologies of the affected organs.

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease of a bacterial nature, which is clinically manifested by intoxication syndrome, hemorrhagic manifestations, kidney and liver damage.

The causative agent of leptospirosis in dogs is the spirochete Leptospira interrogans. The bacterium is a spiral-shaped movable thread. In dogs, the disease can be caused by several serotypes: L. Icterohaemorrhagiae, L. Grippotyphosa. The bacterium does not tolerate exposure to low temperatures and thrives in warm and humid environments. This factor is associated with the fact that outbreaks of leptospirosis occur in the summer and spring, and in winter the disease practically does not occur.

The main mechanism of infection transmission is contact. It can be implemented in the following ways:

swimming in open water;
through consumption of raw water, contaminated milk or meat;
upon contact with an infected animal.

Most often, dogs become infected when swimming in contaminated bodies of water. In this case, infection does not occur through the skin; the bacterium can enter the body only through abrasions or wounds (when water comes into contact with the animal’s blood).

Nonspecific disease prevention includes the following activities:

exclude contact of the dog with infected pets and rodents;
do not bathe your pet in open, stagnant bodies of water;
do not let your animal drink raw water; be sure to boil it before drinking;
regularly clean the dog's area;
Provide your dog with high-quality food, do not let him eat untested meat or dairy products.

For leptospirosis, the most typical are contact, water and feed routes of infection. In addition, it is possible transmission path infection (through tick and insect bites). The pathogen enters the body mainly through the mucous membranes of the digestive, respiratory and genitourinary systems when consuming contaminated feed and water, eating the corpses of sick animals, as well as when bathing dogs in infected bodies of water, through damaged skin, as well as when mating (mating) leptospirum-carrying dogs.

The incubation period for canine leptospirosis ranges from 2 to 12 days.

Treatment of leptospirosis in dogs

Diagnostics that determine the stage and form of leptospirosis allows you to select individual treatment. The objectives of further therapy are:

Destruction of Leptospira. During the first 6 days after infection, a hyperimmune serum containing protective antibodies is injected under the shoulder blade. Immunity to the pathogen develops within 3 hours after administration and lasts 14 days. In advanced cases, additional injection of serum with a 2-fold reduction in dose is acceptable.
Elimination of intoxication And inflammatory processes with antibiotics (Levomecitin, Kefzol, Bicillin, Tetracycline, Streptomycin) and rehydration.
Restoring the functionality of damaged organs. In addition to a special diet that eases the load on the gastrointestinal tract, they use the following drugs: hepatoprotectors (liver); riboxin (heart); ascorutin (vessels); lespephlan (buds).
Boosting immune defense immunomodulators (Hemobalance, Lykopid), vitamins and minerals.

At the first signs of leptospirosis, you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic for accurate diagnosis and qualified treatment. Fighting this serious illness must take place in a hospital setting so that the animal’s condition is constantly monitored by specialists. Treatment of leptospirosis at home is unacceptable and dangerous. Due to severe damage to internal organs and the serious condition of the pet, most of the medications are administered to the dog intravenously.

Ready-made drugs

Therapy is carried out in several directions:

targeted destruction of Leptospira in the body;
removal of toxins;
maintaining and normalizing the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
maintaining and normalizing the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
restoration of immunity.

For the treatment of leptospirosis use:

Antileptospirosis serum. This hyperimmune serum is administered in the first three days. The sooner it is used, the greater the chance of saving the animal. The dose is calculated based on the dog's body weight.
Antibiotics of the penicillin group. The use of sulfonamides is unacceptable!
Solutions for restoring water-salt metabolism.
Cordiamine, thiotriazoline, riboxin- to maintain the heart.
Ascorutin - for vascular restoration.
Detoxification solutions: hemodez, sirepar, saline solution.
Enterosgel, loperamide– to stop diarrhea.
Cerucal injections from vomiting spasms.
Hepaprotector Essentiale-N intravenously.
Lespeflan - to support kidney function.

Folk remedies

After completion of treatment, the diet should be maintained. Feed should contain a limited amount of protein and fat, but a significant proportion of fiber. To restore digestion and immunity, you need to give your dog before feeding simple remedies with choleretic effect:

calendula decoction;
decoction of corn silk;
celandine decoction.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, it is necessary to quickly begin treatment in a clinical setting. Goals of treatment measures:

destroy Leptospira;
restore the functioning of the cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys;
remove intoxication;
stop vomiting, diarrhea, pain.

Care and nutrition

A sick dog is a source of infection with leptospirosis. Therefore, she must be isolated during the treatment period. The room needs to be treated with disinfectants regularly. In case of contact with an animal, ensure necessary measures protection to avoid infection.

During the recovery period you need to adhere to dietary nutrition. It should not burden the functioning of organs affected by harmful bacteria. If a dog refuses to eat, there is no need to 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 medicated food. Even after recovery, you will have to stick to the diet for the rest of your life. The diet should include lean meat (turkey, veal), neutral cereals (rice, oats) cooked in water. Fruits and raw vegetables can be given when there are no exacerbations. Choleretic agents can be added to food before feeding.

IN acute phase medications are generally administered intravenously to the dog. Due to a depleted cardiovascular system, they may not be absorbed subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Specific treatment involves the introduction of a hyperimmune serum aimed at destroying spirochetes in the first days after infection. The serum is administered once a day for 2-3 days at a dosage of 0.5 ml/kg.

Strong antibiotics are used to destroy 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 to reduce the toxic load on the body.

Rehydrating agents:

Glucose solution;
NaCl;
Ringer's solution.

If your dog is vomiting, you can give your dog Cerucal. Inflammations on the skin are eliminated by treatment with antiseptics: Miramistin, Chlorhexidine.

Treatment for leptospirosis in dogs involves removing the pathogen from the body and minimizing symptoms.

To eliminate the pathogen, the dog is injected with hyperimmune serum (no later than 4-6 days from the onset of the disease), a penicillin antibiotic, dihydrostreptomycin and streptomycin are used. To relieve symptoms, antispasmodics, liver medications, antiemetics, anticonvulsants and heart medications are used.

Recovered dogs develop a strong and intense immunity that lasts for years. However, vaccination of the animal is still required, especially when exporting it to disadvantaged areas. this disease areas.

To prevent leptospirosis in dogs, animals should be vaccinated annually: we recommend complex vaccines that protect your pet from leptospirosis, rabies, canine distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus infection and parvovirus enteritis.

Dogs are vaccinated against leptospirosis starting at 8-9 weeks of age. re-vaccination carried out at intervals of 21-28 days. Before vaccination, anthelmintic treatment of the animal is mandatory.

For leptospirosis it is carried out complex therapy, including etiotropic and pathogenetic. For etiotropic therapy of sick dogs, hyperimmune serum against leptospirosis is successfully used at a dose of 0.5 ml per 1 kg of body weight, especially in the early stages of the disease. The serum is administered subcutaneously, usually once a day for 2-3 days.

For antibiotic therapy, drugs of the penicillin group are used, which are effective against leptospira of various serogroups and spirochetes in general: benzylpenicillin, bicillin-1, bicillin-3. In particular, the latter are used to create a long-term therapeutic concentration of bicillin in the blood. Doses: 10,000-20,000 units per 1 kg of animal weight 1 time in 3 days (2 times a week).

The drug suspension is administered intramuscularly with a thick needle (it cannot be administered intravenously!). The course of treatment to stop leptospiremia is from 2 to 6 injections, but leptospires persist in the kidneys for a long time. Streptomycin is also used at a dose of 10-15 units per 1 kg of body weight 2 times a day for 5 days. Sulfonamides are not recommended.

Pathogenetic therapy includes the following basic methods and means: paraimmunization (use of immunomodulators - lycopid, polyoxidonium, etc.), rehydration (use of physiological water-salt solutions), detoxification (hemodesis, etc.). In addition, symptomatic and replacement therapy, including veterinary diet therapy, must be used (see.

Pathological and anatomical changes. During an external examination of the corpses of dogs that died from the icteric form of leptospirosis, a pronounced icteric coloration of all visible mucous membranes (oral, nasal cavity, vagina) and various parts of the body is noted. During autopsies of corpses, yellowness is found in almost all internal organs and tissues of the body (lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, etc.

In the hemorrhagic form of leptospirosis in various organs and tissues, a pathoanatomical picture of acute hemorrhagic inflammation is observed: extensive or numerous pinpoint hemorrhages and isolated foci of necrosis on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, in the lungs, kidneys, bladder, spleen, etc.

Therapy for leptospirosis in dogs

Treatment of leptospirosis in dogs in all cases is carried out in veterinary clinics. It is aimed at:

destruction of bacteria;
elimination of intoxication;
cessation of diarrhea and vomiting;
improving the functioning of blood vessels and the heart, liver, kidneys.

Most often, medications are administered intravenously, since when administered subcutaneously and intramuscularly, due to the poor condition of the blood vessels, they are not absorbed for a long time and therapeutic action do not produce.

Leptospira in the blood is destroyed by hyperimmune serum with antibodies contained in it. It is administered to the dog subcutaneously, once a day, for 2-3 days at a dose of 0.5 ml per 1 kg of weight. In addition to its direct purpose, this drug additionally stimulates the dog's immunity.

In the affected organs of the animal, bacteria are killed with antibiotics. Their choice depends on the Leptospira serogroup and the general health of the dog. These are derivatives of penicillin: Benzylpenicillin, Bicillin-1, Bicillin-3. The last two medications are used to form a long-term therapeutic concentration of bicillin in the blood of a sick animal. They are injected intramuscularly in the amount of 2–6 injections. Streptomycin is also used, which is given to the dog 2 times a day for 5 days.

Severe intoxication is removed by introducing saline and nutrient saline solutions into the blood. To remove toxins from the dog's body, glucose or magnesium sulfate is prescribed in the early phases of the disease, and Glutargin, sodium thiosulfate and similar medications are prescribed in the later phases. Diarrhea and prolonged vomiting are stopped with Enterosgel and Cerucal.

The functioning of damaged liver and kidneys is restored with Lespenefril, Essentiale, Karsil or Galstena. The walls of damaged vessels are strengthened with the help of vitamins C, P and group B. To improve the nutrition of the heart muscles, the dog is prescribed Riboxin, Thiotriazolin and similar drugs. Immunomodulators are also used - Lykopid, Polyoxidonium.

Consequences

In the dog's body, leptospira enters the bloodstream and actively multiplies. The immune system reacts to them by releasing antibodies. The bacteria shell is very toxic. It releases substances that destroy blood vessels. Dead Leptospira are even more dangerous. They release toxic substances into the blood, which seep through damaged vessels into different parts of the body.

Once in the liver and kidneys, bacteria feed on substances that are necessary for the functioning of these organs. Once in the intestine, leptospira destroys its internal surface. As a result of such activity, the dog experiences internal bleeding and diarrhea. Toxins entering the kidneys disrupt urine production. And their activity in the brain provokes severe convulsions.

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

If the animal does not quickly receive medical attention, a critical accumulation of toxins will accumulate in the body and it will die from intoxication and exhaustion.

The most dangerous consequences leptospirosis:

liver and kidney failure;
cardiopathy;
hepatic coma.

Prevention

To prevent the onset of the disease, veterinary clinics use Russian and imported mono- and polyvalent (against serogroups 1 or 2) vaccines:

Biovac-L and Biovac-DPAL;
polyvalent vaccine VGNKI;
Multikan-6 (NPO “Narvak”);
Dipentavak (JSC Vetzverocenter);
Biorabik (NPO "Biocenter");
Hexakanivac;
Leptorabisine;
Vanguard 5 and 7 and others.

Dogs are vaccinated 2 times throughout the year with a break between vaccinations of 2-3 weeks. Those animals that are in areas unfavorable for leptospirosis, with crowded close housing and with unconfirmed immune status, it is recommended to use the vaccine and hyperimmune serum together.

You can prevent your pet from becoming infected with Leptospira at home if:

do not feed your dog fresh raw beef, pork or lamb, or milk of dubious quality to puppies;
do not allow the animal to swim in dirty ponds with stagnant water;
bathe him more often with dog shampoos;
Mate him only with trusted partners.

If you have suspicious symptoms, you should immediately take your dog to the vet.

The only one effective measure– vaccination of the pet against the disease (drugs Biovac, 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, you should wear a change of clothes and gloves. Places where the patient defecated are washed with bleach or disinfectants with iodine.

Leptospirosis is one of the most dangerous diseases that a dog can be susceptible to, including viral enteritis, tick-borne piroplasmosis or rabies. Take your pet to the clinic immediately if he shows signs of illness. Timely treatment will save your pet's life.

You can save your pet from infection by using preventive measures, including:

The most effective prophylactic is timely vaccination of the dog. A complex vaccine with protection against many infections, including leptospirosis, was administered for the first time in puppyhood: in the second to fourth months of life. Then the vaccination is repeated annually. Veterinarians recommend vaccinating dogs in winter, during the period of decline in infectious epidemics.

There is a monovaccine with a targeted effect against Leptospira serotypes, which is vaccinated in two stages. First, it is administered to puppies at 8-9 weeks of life, and after 3 weeks the vaccination is repeated.

If a dog has suffered 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 carriage of the virus.

To avoid infection with leptospirosis, it is necessary to vaccinate dogs. The complex vaccine is administered to the animal at the age of 8-9 months. After 2-3 weeks he will be revaccinated. After this, annual booster vaccination against leptospirosis is required. Although vaccination against this disease is not mandatory, it is better to get it to protect your dog from infection.

General preventive measures include:

balanced diet:
proper care and hygiene;
no contact with stray and unvaccinated dogs;
avoiding swimming in questionable bodies of water and drinking dirty water;
timely deratization in the presence of rodents in the house.

Leptospirosis is one of the most dangerous infections in dogs. The pathogens destroy organs and systems and cause severe symptoms. When the first signs of infection appear, it is necessary to quickly take the animal to the veterinarian in order to correctly diagnose and carry out appropriate therapy.

For active immunoprophylaxis of leptospirosis in dogs, domestic and foreign mono-, polyvalent (against leptospira of two serogroups: Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola) and associated vaccines are used: mono- and polyvalent vaccines - Biovac-L, vaccine against canine leptospirosis (NPO "Narvak"), polyvalent vaccine VGNKI against animal leptospirosis, etc.

Recommendations for the use of the listed vaccines are presented in table. 1. In accordance with the instructions for the use of foreign vaccines, a double vaccination of puppies is indicated, and a single vaccination for adult animals. According to Yu.A. Malakhov, G.L. Sobolev (2000), such a single vaccination of adult dogs only partially prevents leptospirosis and leptospirosis for 4-6 months. Therefore, it is necessary to vaccinate all dogs twice annually with an interval of 2-3 weeks.

For passive immunization of puppies and adult dogs with an unknown immune status in an unfavorable epizootic situation for leptospirosis, especially when animals are kept in groups, it is recommended to use hyperimmune serum against leptospirosis, as well as use the method of active-passive immunization (simultaneous administration of a vaccine and hyperimmune serum against leptospirosis in dogs ).

General prevention of leptospirosis consists of strict adherence to a set of veterinary, sanitary, zootechnical and organizational measures (see in more detail " Parvovirus enteritis", prevention).

Considering that sick animals and leptospirosis-carrying dogs pose an immediate epidemiological danger, all people serving these dogs must strictly observe personal hygiene and prevention measures, including vaccination against leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis in dogs is an acute natural focal disease that primarily affects the nervous system, blood vessels and mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract of animals. Its development and course is accompanied by intoxication, jaundice and often pronounced hemorrhagic syndrome. This infectious disease can affect representatives of all breeds of dogs, but it is most severe in animals with a loose constitution. Leptospirosis has another feature - in most cases it affects males, not females.

mainly nutritionally (through food: eaten meat of infected cows, pigs, sheep and fresh milk);
contact (through dirty water after swimming in bodies of water contaminated with leptospira, and/or accidentally getting them into the dog’s gastrointestinal tract);
during mating (through the mucous membranes of the genital organs);
transmissibly (through the bites of blood-sucking insects and arachnids).

Most often, infection with Leptospira occurs in the warm season - from March to December, but dogs can also get sick in winter.

After infection with leptospirosis, it takes from 2 to 12 days before the first symptoms of the disease - this is how long the incubation period of the disease lasts. During this time, bacteria first penetrate into the blood and then into the internal organs (liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs), where they multiply intensively. At the end of the incubation period, leptospira again enters the blood vessels, where they release a large volume of toxins.

Is leptospirosis dangerous for humans?

People can also become infected with leptospirosis from dogs. Leptospira enters the human body through the saliva and urine of an infected animal, which can end up on the hands of the owner and then enter the gastrointestinal tract. Bacteria can also penetrate through microdamages on the skin after a person bathes in a body of water into which bacteria have entered with sewage.

Symptoms of leptospirosis in dogs

At the very beginning of the disease, the sick dog becomes inactive, lethargic and apathetic. She lies most of the time, does not eat, and is reluctant to follow commands. Over the next 3–7 days, leptospirosis begins to manifest itself with the following symptoms:

the animal has a fever (its temperature rises to 40–41.5 °C);
breathing quickens;
diarrhea and vomiting appear, sometimes with blood;
the mouth begins to stink, and its mucous membranes become yellow due to staining with bilirubin (jaundice) and become covered with ulcers (stomatitis);
the skin and conjunctiva of the eyes also turn yellow;
mucous membranes of the mouth and nose bleed;
urine turns brown and its volume decreases.

After some time, the dog develops constipation, does not eat, does not drink, and is breathing heavily. The animal quickly and severely loses weight, its body temperature drops below 37°C, then convulsions appear. Very soon it all ends with his death. Sometimes leptospirosis (in latent form) in some dogs can develop without full symptoms, even practically asymptomatic.

Stages of development of the disease and its forms

in the liver and kidneys, which is expressed by jaundice;
in the capillaries, which is expressed by hemorrhages (hemorrhages).

The animal's temperature rises, and anorexia gradually develops, that is, a complete refusal of food and water, which is accompanied by apathy and depression.
Since in this form of the disease, leptospires are concentrated in the liver and kidneys, sick dogs experience enlargement of these organs, and then severe hepatopathy, expressed in inflammation and degenerative changes in the liver cells, as well as acute liver and kidney failure.

The hemorrhagic form also occurs acutely and subacutely, but is not expressed in jaundice, but in bleeding of the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose of animals, internal organs of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as subcutaneous hemorrhages due to pathological permeability of capillary walls caused by exposure to toxins secreted by leptospira bacteria. There are also significant bruises in the places where the injections were made, and severe pain when pressing on the area of the stomach and intestines, liver, kidneys and muscles. This form of infection is observed mainly in older animals.

Both the icteric and hemorrhagic forms, which occur subacutely, if not treated, often progress to the chronic stage. In this case, all the symptoms weaken so much that they become almost invisible (sometimes there are disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract). But recovery does not occur, and sick dogs remain carriers and distributors of bacteria.

The release of bacteria from the body of infected pets into the external environment in saliva and urine begins 5–7 days after infection and continues, even after the end of the disease, for several months and even years.

Diagnosis of leptospirosis in dogs

In a veterinary clinic, when diagnosing sick four-legged animals, they take into account typical clinical signs, clarify the presence or absence of vaccination against leptospirosis and its date, and then conduct an examination. The main method for detecting leptospirosis is a serological study using the microaglutination reaction (PMA). To do this, blood is taken from the animal, usually this happens at the turn of the 1st and 2nd weeks of the disease, the result is recorded, and 7-10 days after the first, a second test is done to determine in what form the disease is developing.

If, based on the results of a repeated reaction, a significant increase in antibodies is observed (6-8 times), this means that the dog has acute leptospirosis. If there is no growth or it is small, then the dog is chronically ill.

Additional methods for detecting the disease:

Dark-field microscopy. Fresh urine (taken no later than 0.5 hours) is taken from the dog as a biomaterial for research. This method is suitable for animals that have not previously been treated with antibiotics.
Biological sample. For research, 3–5 ml of blood is taken from the animal and injected into experimental animals.
Blood chemistry. It is used to determine the level of functioning of organs affected by bacteria.

Differential diagnostics are also carried out to exclude food poisoning, infectious hepatitis and plague.

Therapy for leptospirosis in dogs

Treatment of leptospirosis in dogs in all cases is carried out in veterinary clinics. It is aimed at:

destruction of bacteria;
elimination of intoxication;
cessation of diarrhea and vomiting;
improving the functioning of blood vessels and the heart, liver, kidneys.

Most often, medications are administered intravenously, since when administered subcutaneously and intramuscularly, due to the poor condition of the blood vessels, they are not absorbed for a long time and do not produce a therapeutic effect.

The functioning of damaged liver and kidneys is restored with Lespenefril, Essentiale, Karsil or Galstena. The walls of damaged blood vessels are strengthened with the help of vitamins C, P and group B. To improve the nutrition of the heart muscle, the dog is prescribed Riboxin, Thiotriazolin and similar drugs. Immunomodulators are also used - Lykopid, Polyoxidonium.

After recovery, all dogs that have had leptospirosis develop stable immunity, which, however, does not exclude its reoccurrence if they are infected with leptospira of a different serogroup.

Prevention of leptospirosis

To prevent the onset of the disease, veterinary clinics use Russian and imported mono- and polyvalent (against serogroups 1 or 2) vaccines:

Biovac-L and Biovac-DPAL;
polyvalent vaccine VGNKI;
Multikan-6 (NPO “Narvak”);
Dipentavak (JSC Vetzverocenter);
Biorabik (NPO "Biocenter");
Hexakanivac;
Leptorabisine;
Vanguard 5 and 7 and others.

Dogs are vaccinated 2 times throughout the year with a break between vaccinations of 2-3 weeks. For those animals that are in areas unfavorable for leptospirosis, with crowded conditions and with unconfirmed immune status, it is recommended to use the vaccine and hyperimmune serum together.

You can prevent your pet from becoming infected with Leptospira at home if:

do not feed your dog fresh raw beef, pork or lamb, or milk of dubious quality to puppies;
do not allow the animal to swim in dirty ponds with stagnant water;
bathe him more often with dog shampoos;
Mate him only with trusted partners.

If you have suspicious symptoms, you should immediately take your dog to the vet.

Considering that people can also become infected with this infection, it is useful for owners to maintain personal hygiene: wash their hands warm water with soap after petting the pet and after cleaning the dog's litter box.

In contact with

Leptospirosis is a disease that poses a danger not only to the life of the dog, but also to its owners. That is why it is important to identify it in a timely manner in order to take all necessary treatment and preventive measures. There are also names: infectious jaundice, Stuttgard disease or Weill's disease. If your dog is sick with leptospirosis, you can’t hesitate!

What dog owners need to know about leptospirosis

A person gets leptospirosis from a pet

To avoid becoming infected with leptospirosis from your pet, you must:

It is imperative to disinfect the apartment where the dog was with 3% chloramine-B (disinfectant solution), followed by connecting an ultraviolet lamp throughout the premises for at least 30 minutes (if the diagnosis has been confirmed);
it is necessary to completely limit children’s contact with a sick pet;
You should not allow an animal to jump on you or allow you to lick your hands or face;
any manipulations with the dog during treatment (until tests are received that the animal is healthy) should be carried out in personal protection(rubber gloves), excluding any contact with infected secretions (the main source of infection is urine, and spirochetes enter the human body through damage to the skin and mucous membranes);
Make sure that the dog does not relieve itself in the apartment. To do this, you need to walk your pet in a timely manner and/or quickly respond to the dog’s “requests” for extracurricular urges. In case of involuntary urination due to illness, the area must be washed and treated with a 3% or 2% chlorine solution and always wear rubber gloves;
Regardless of the availability of personal protective equipment, after contact with a sick dog or after cleaning up feces, be sure to wash your hands in warm water with laundry soap up to your elbows;
If your pet dog has been diagnosed with leptospirosis, it is necessary to mandatory take a blood test for the presence of the disease to all family members who have had regular contact with the pet, so that if detected, treatment can begin as early as possible.

The dog is sick - what to look for

The main signs of leptospirosis are determined by the sequence of spread of spirochetes throughout the animal’s body. First, spirochetes enter the hepatic system and the liver itself, and it is there that they begin to reproduce, further spreading throughout the body through the bloodstream.

In the first days of infection, the usually active and frolicking pet becomes lethargic and inactive. The contrast in the change in behavior cannot but be noticed by the owner.
Body temperature rises sharply (up to 41-42°C).
During the first 4-7 days after infection, rapid breathing is observed (up to 35-40 breath movements/min) and the heartbeat accelerates (up to 200 beats/min). Heart failure progresses.
Appears bloody diarrhea and vomiting. There are also blood impurities in the vomit (leptospires practically “riddle” the blood vessels, provoking internal bleeding of varying intensity). After a few days, diarrhea can turn into constipation due to dehydration.
The mouth begins to smell unpleasant (smelly ammonia smell), the mucous membrane of the mouth may clearly turn yellow. The conjunctiva and white of the eye also turn yellow. Small purulent ulcers may appear, which at first glance are perceived as microtraumas or scratches.
Weeping spots appear on the nasal planum, which dry out, and dying areas form under them. It seems that the dog’s nose is “crumbling” into small pieces.
Before yellowing of the mucous membranes, their pronounced pallor may be observed against the background of anemia.
On the surface of the skin and fur there is an accumulation of plaque with a sharply unpleasant odor.
The pet stops drinking, and the urine turns brown. Its quantity decreases to the level complete absence act of urination. Dehydration appears (dry mucous membranes, lack of saliva, skin folds do not straighten out). These are all signs of severe renal failure.
As the disease progresses, breathing becomes heavy, hoarse and gurgling.
Sometimes there are convulsions.
After a week or a week and a half, due to exhaustion, body temperature usually drops below normal (up to 37°C). Usually, in this condition, few specialists undertake to treat a dog.

When infected with leptospirosis, all of the listed signs may appear, only some in an arbitrary combination, and in some cases an asymptomatic course may be observed.

Diagnosis confirmation

The diagnosis is confirmed only laboratory tests for leptospirosis, despite obvious clinical picture, which will leave no doubt in the mind of a good specialist.

Blood and urine are collected for laboratory tests. In exceptional cases, discharge from the genitals may be taken. Posthumously, an autopsy examines the liver, fluid from the peritoneum, and chest, kidneys.

Fresh urine is subjected to microscopy (examined under a microscope) and cultures are carried out on special laboratory media, i.e. detect living pathogens. The same is done with samples of genital secretions.

They do not look for spirochetes in the blood; here it is important to detect antibodies to this bacterium. The study is carried out twice with an interval of 1 week. With leptospirosis, the number of detected antibodies increases tenfold.

How and with what to treat

Treatment of leptospirosis in dogs must be comprehensive.

Main stages of treatment:

I – destruction of the pathogen;
II – restoration and maintenance of the cardiovascular system;
III – elimination of intoxication, stopping attacks of vomiting and diarrhea;
IV – restoration and maintenance of kidney function and hepatic system, normalization of the gastrointestinal tract.

The fight against leptospira always comes first. All other stages can change their sequence at the discretion of the attending physician, depending on the condition of a particular four-legged patient.

Self-medication is prohibited! All procedures are carried out in a hospital setting and/or under the strict supervision of a veterinarian, observing personal safety measures against potential infection.

for a dog weighing up to 10 kg – 3 mg/animal, over 10 kg – 0.2-0.3 mg/kg body weight in a course of 7 injections every other day. If there is severe kidney damage, the dosage of polyoxidonium should not exceed 0.1 mg/kg, and injections should be given no more than twice a week.

1. Specific therapy to destroy the pathogen
Anti-leptospirosis hyperimmune serum for dogs	once a day subcutaneously at a dose of 0.5 ml per kg of body weight. Duration of administration – up to 3 days. It is important to catch up in the first 3-6 days after the symptoms of the disease were noticed.
2. Antibiotic therapy is carried out by intramuscular injections of penicillin drugs. Do not use sulfonamides!
Bicillin-1,3, benzylpenicillin	10-20 thousand units/kg body weight once every 3 days (only 2 injections per week). Course – up to 6 injections.
Streptomycin	10-15 units/kg twice a day for a course of 5 days.
3. Immunomodulators
Lycopid	dogs up to 3 kg - 0.5 mg (1/2 tablet), over 3 kg - 1 mg (1 tablet), over 6 kg - 2 mg (2 tablets) once a day for 10 days.
Polyoxidonium-vet
4. Rehydration (restoration of water-salt balance)
Ringer-Locke solution	up to 20 ml/kg body weight intravenously (slow stream or drip).
Trisol	at the rate of 8-10% of the total weight of the animal.
5. To maintain nutrition of the heart muscle
Thiotriazoline tablets	individuals up to 10 kg – ½ table. 2 times/day, up to 20 kg – 1 tablet. 2 times/day, more than 20 kg – 1 tablet. 3 times/day.
Thiotriazoline in solution	individuals up to 5 kg - twice a day, 0.5 ml into a muscle or once 1 ml intravenously, up to 10 kg - twice a day, 1 ml intramuscularly or once 2 ml into a vein, up to 20 kg - 1.5 ml into a muscle twice/day or 3 ml once intravenously.
Riboxin	5-10 mg/kg body weight every 12 hours for 2 weeks.
6. To maintain heart function
Cordiamine	up to 3 drops per tongue or 0.1 ml/kg (strictly when weakness is detected).
7. To restore damaged blood vessels
Askorutin (50 mg rutin + 50 mg ascorbic acid)	daily dose: ½ tablet/10 kg weight orally. Divided into 2 doses. The course is at least a month.
8. Detoxification of the body
25% magnesium sulfate + 40% glucose	intravenously or drip from 5 to 25 ml, depending on the size of the dog.
Hemodez	up to 10 ml/kg once or twice a day intravenously until signs of intoxication subside. Prescribe with caution in case of significant impairment of kidney function.
Sirepar	by slow intramuscular or intravenous administration of 3-4 ml once a day until signs of intoxication disappear.
9. Antidiarrheal care
Enterosgel	for small individuals 1 tsp, and for large individuals up to 2 tbsp. Dissolve the gel in 200 ml of water and drink it or pour it into the mouth through the toothless edge (the solution has no taste).
Loperamide (strictly after signs of intoxication have disappeared)	0.08 mg/kg 2-4 times a day.
10. Anti-vomiting
Cerucal (metoclopramide)	up to 0.18 ml/kg before feeding up to 3 times/day.
11. Drugs to support the liver - hepatoprotectors
Essentiale N (solution)	intravenously (not intramuscularly!) 0.2-0.5 ml per kg of live body weight once a day for a course of up to 10-14 days. In particularly severe conditions, the course can be extended to 3 weeks.
Hepatovet	orally (can be taken with food) 2-3 ml of suspension for every 10 kg of animal weight. Divided into 2-3 doses (i.e. single dose - 1 ml up to 3 times a day).
12. To normalize kidney function
Lespenefril (Lespeflan)	1-2 tsp each (5-15 ml) orally (can be diluted with water) once a day for a course of 4-6 weeks. As a supporting agent – ½-1 tsp. in one day.
13. Mandatory diet therapy - feeding with food low in protein, and in case of liver damage - low in fat

How to protect your dog from leptospirosis

Despite the danger of the disease, infection is successfully prevented. To do this, just follow a few simple rules:

The most important preventative measure– annual vaccination against leptospirosis in dogs with domestic or foreign mono- or polyvaccines (the most common: Biovac-L, Leptodog, Biovac-DPAL, Dipentavak, Biorabik, Leptorabisin, Vanguard-7, Multikan-6, Hexakanivac, Hexadog).
Strictly prohibit your pet from drinking from puddles and other natural bodies of standing water while walking.
Avoid contact between domestic dogs and street dogs.
Follow sanitary and hygienic rules for keeping pets.
Inspect your pet's body after a walk for possible ticks.
When caring for a sick/recovered pet, use personal protective equipment - separate overalls, rubber gloves, and in some cases a gauze bandage on the face.
Timely treatment against blood-sucking insects (ticks and fleas) and helminths is mandatory.

Question answer

Is it possible to vaccinate a dog against leptospirosis?

Not only is it possible, but it is necessary! Vaccination against leptospirosis is done twice a year. The very first is done at the age of 8-9 weeks from birth, repeated after 3-4 weeks. Then annually according to a similar scheme (vaccination - revaccination after 21-28 days). A strong immunity is developed that protects the pet from infection and/or severe clinical manifestations of the disease in case of infection.

Is it possible to cure leptospirosis in a dog without consequences?

Unlikely. The disease greatly affects the immunity and functions of almost all organs and systems, often leading to the death of the animal. If it is still possible to cure your pet, then carriage of the bacteria can last for several years. Some functions of the excretory system, respiratory, cardiovascular and hepatobiliary can be impaired for life.

The main signs of leptospirosis: how to understand that your pet is sick?

The owner should definitely be on guard: the sharp lethargy of a family friend, strongly elevated temperature(up to 42°C), difficulty urinating, darkening of urine and a yellow tint to the mucous membrane or skin(on hairless areas of the body).

What tests are taken to diagnose leptospirosis?

To confirm or refute the diagnosis of leptospirosis, it is necessary to take urine and blood tests. They will look for antibodies to the pathogen in the blood, and the pathogens themselves in the urine.

The main causes of leptospirosis infection

Contact with yard dogs, drinking from puddles, failure to comply with sanitary and hygienic requirements for keeping animals in houses and apartments, and refusal to vaccinate significantly increase the risk of contracting leptospirosis.

How can you help your pet with leptospirosis at home?

Nothing! Independent attempts at treatment at home are strictly prohibited!

Every a pet may 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. Leptospirosis can be considered one of these diseases. This is a bacterial infection that affects almost all systems and organs (heart, liver, blood vessels, kidneys, brain).

Leptospirosis ranks 1st in prevalence among viral and bacterial infections. It is diagnosed in 20% of unvaccinated dogs each year. 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 mass vaccination of dogs against leptospirosis.

What is leptospirosis and why does it occur?

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

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

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

boxers.

Routes of infection

The routes of infection can be different:

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

Risk of infection for humans

Any animal can carry dangerous bacteria. They release them into the external environment for a long time. And thus they infect others. Rodents are capable of being carriers of Leptospira throughout their lives.

A person can also become infected with leptospirosis from a dog. Therefore, if there is a sick animal at home, it is necessary to limit contact with it. When processing, use gloves, a mask, put on a change of clothes, which should be boiled after use. Wash areas where your dog defecates using disinfectants.

Symptoms and forms of the disease

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

The nature of the course of leptospirosis can be different:

Latent- the most harmless, in which the animal feels slight oppression. Pallor of the mucous membranes and slight yellowness are observed. After a few days, the symptoms disappear and the dog recovers.
Spicy- in dogs, symptoms appear 1-2 days after infection. There is a fever of up to 41.5 degrees, the sclera and mucous membranes turn yellow, and 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 this, the temperature rises, the limbs tremble, and the same symptoms appear as in the acute course, but they are less pronounced.
Chronic- rare, accompanies the animal for years. Signs of bacterial activity periodically worsen. The temperature may rise and the urine may darken. Sick bitches give birth to dead puppies.

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

Characteristic symptoms of the hemorrhagic form:

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

Icteric leptospirosis is characterized by:

acquisition of a rich yellow tint by the mucous membranes;
darkening of urine;
vomit;
liver enlargement;
refusal of food;
general weakness, exhaustion;
heat.

Note! Often dogs exhibit symptoms of icteric and hemorrhagic forms of the disease simultaneously.

Diagnostics

A doctor can diagnose leptospirosis only on the basis of laboratory tests that confirm the presence of leptospira in the body.

Tests performed on animals:

serological examination of blood serum;
microscopy of urine, culture on nutrient media;
biological sample.

To assess the condition of internal organs, ultrasound and radiography are performed.

Rules and methods of treatment

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, it is necessary to quickly begin treatment in a clinical setting. Goals of treatment measures:

destroy Leptospira;
restore the functioning of the cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys;
remove intoxication;
stop vomiting, diarrhea, pain.

Care and nutrition

A sick dog is a source of infection with leptospirosis. Therefore, she must be isolated during the treatment period. The room needs to be treated with disinfectants regularly. 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 burden the functioning of organs affected by harmful bacteria. If a dog refuses to eat, there is no need to force feed it.

Drug therapy

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

Strong antibiotics are used to destroy 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 to reduce the toxic load on the body.

Rehydrating agents:

Glucose solution;
NaCl;
Ringer's solution.

Antispasmodics:

No-shpa;
Drotaverine.

Hepatoprotectors:

Essentiale;
Glutargin.

Heart remedies:

Riboxin;
Thiotriazolin.

Kidney drugs:

Lespeflan;
Lespenefril.

Immunomodulators:

Immunofan.

If your dog is vomiting, you can give your dog Cerucal. Inflammations on the skin are eliminated by treatment with antiseptics: Miramistin, Chlorhexidine.

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

Consequences

In the dog's body, leptospira enters the bloodstream and actively multiplies. The immune system reacts to them by releasing antibodies. The bacteria shell is very toxic. It releases substances that destroy blood vessels. Dead Leptospira are even more dangerous. They release toxic substances into the blood, which seep through damaged vessels into different parts of the body.

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

If the animal does not quickly receive medical attention, 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

General preventive measures include:

balanced diet:
proper care and hygiene;
no contact with stray and unvaccinated dogs;
avoiding swimming in questionable bodies of water and drinking dirty water;
timely deratization in the presence of rodents in the house.

Leptospirosis is one of the most dangerous infections in dogs. The pathogens destroy organs and systems and cause severe symptoms. When the first signs of infection appear, it is necessary to quickly take the animal to the veterinarian in order to correctly diagnose and carry out appropriate therapy.

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

Leptospirosis in dogs - causes and course

Routes of infection

Pathogenesis

Causes of leptospirosis

Main symptoms

Kinds

Stages of development of the disease and its forms

Signs and symptoms

Hemorrhagic

Jaundice

Symptoms and forms of the disease

Treatment of the disease

Diagnostics in a veterinary clinic

What is leptospirosis in dogs, and how does infection occur?

Treatment of leptospirosis in dogs

Ready-made drugs

Folk remedies

Care and nutrition

Therapy for leptospirosis in dogs

Consequences

Prevention

Is leptospirosis dangerous for humans?

Symptoms of leptospirosis in dogs

Stages of development of the disease and its forms

Diagnosis of leptospirosis in dogs

Therapy for leptospirosis in dogs

Prevention of leptospirosis

What dog owners need to know about leptospirosis

A person gets leptospirosis from a pet

The dog is sick - what to look for

Diagnosis confirmation

How and with what to treat

Main stages of treatment:

1. Specific therapy to destroy the pathogen

2. Antibiotic therapy is carried out by intramuscular injections of penicillin drugs. Do not use sulfonamides!

3. Immunomodulators

4. Rehydration (restoration of water-salt balance)

5. To maintain nutrition of the heart muscle

6. To maintain heart function

7. To restore damaged blood vessels

8. Detoxification of the body

9. Antidiarrheal care

10. Anti-vomiting

11. Drugs to support the liver - hepatoprotectors

12. To normalize kidney function

13. Mandatory diet therapy - feeding with food low in protein, and in case of liver damage - low in fat

How to protect your dog from leptospirosis

Question answer

Is it possible to vaccinate a dog against leptospirosis?

Is it possible to cure leptospirosis in a dog without consequences?

The main signs of leptospirosis: how to understand that your pet is sick?

What tests are taken to diagnose leptospirosis?

The main causes of leptospirosis infection

How can you help your pet with leptospirosis at home?

What is leptospirosis and why does it occur?

Routes of infection

Risk of infection for humans

Symptoms and forms of the disease

Diagnostics

Rules and methods of treatment

Care and nutrition

Drug therapy

Consequences

Prevention and vaccination