Clinical findings in dogs diagnosed with leptospirosis in England. (4th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Raj, Jennifer; Campbell, Ruth; Tappin, Simon
• Is Part Of: Veterinary record. Volume 189:Number 7(2021)
• Page Start: no
• Page End: no
• Publication Date: 2021-06-04
• Subjects: hepatic disease -- infectious disease -- leptospirosis -- renal disease -- zoonosis; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine vétérinaire -- Périodiques; Veterinary medicine; Veterinary Medicine; Periodicals; Periodical; Electronic journals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1002/vetr.452
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0042-4900

Abstract

Abstract: Background : Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide importance. This study describes the clinical findings and outcome of dogs diagnosed with leptospirosis in England. Methods : Retrospective review of medical records of dogs diagnosed with leptospirosis from a single referral hospital located in Eastern England. Results : Thirty‐eight dogs met the inclusion criteria. Clinical signs included inappetence (76%), vomiting (68%), lethargy (58%), polydipsia and polyuria (18%) and abdominal pain (16%). Disease manifestations included hepatic and renal involvement (47%), hepatic only (37%), renal only (16%); no dogs were found to have respiratory involvement. Clinicopathological findings at presentation included anaemia (42%), thrombocytopenia (43%), increased alanine transaminase activity (ALT) (66%), hyperbilirubinemia (55%), azotaemia (68%), hypoalbuminaemia (49%) and glucosuria (32%). Seven serovars of Leptospira interrogans or Leptospira kirschneri were detected; the most prevalent was Copenhageni (48%). Seventy‐one percent survived to discharge. Dogs in the non‐surviving group had a higher creatinine at presentation compared to survivors ( p = 0.02). Conclusions : Copenhageni was the most prevalent serovar in this population. This supports the use of a vaccine including this serovar, in this region. Renal involvement was associated with reduced survival to discharge. A hepatic only form was common in this population, and leptospirosis should be included as a differential diagnosis for dogs suffering with a hepatopathy. No cases had significant pulmonary involvement, but ongoing clinical vigilance for this disease manifestation is essential.