Pet Care: PET AILMENTS (CONTINUED) – LEPTOSPIROSIS

General
Leptospirosis is a contagious disease caused by a germ belonging to a group of spiral shaped bacteria (pathogens) called spirochetes.
After the GREAT FLOOD of 2005 in Guyana , Leptospirosis (in humans) became a common name among the list of diseases which affected many persons. This ailment has been around for a long time in both animals and humans. It is a zoonotic disease and can pass between animals and people. Although cats can become infected, feline leptospirosis cases are rare.
The literature on this disease tells us that there are literally hundreds of different types (immunologically distinct serovars) of Leptospira germs. Worse, they cannot cross-immunize, which means that if the animal becomes sick because of one type of the germ and recovers, that animal is not protected against the other forms of the Leptospira germ.
Q: HOW DOES THE ANIMAL ACTUALLY (PHYSICALLY) CONTRACT THE LEPTOSPIRA GERM?
A: The infection is usually acquired when the germ comes in contact with the skin via urine-contaminated feed and water. The Leptospira germ can also infect a dog via contact with the eyeball surface and surrounding tissues, and with the vagina. These Leptospira germs can easily invade and multiply in an environment (kennel) which was heretofore free from the germ.
In passing, I should mention the following:
Empirical observations and some research of Vet Clinics’ records reinforce the conviction that this disease is more prevalent during the rainy seasons than during the dry seasons. The theory is that since Leptospirosis can be transmitted by rats, they are the ones infecting dogs via their saliva and urine. During the rainy season, the rats’ food reservoirs become flooded and inedible. The rats, more than usual, are forced to seek new food sources which include the water and food bowls of dogs. The saliva/urine contaminated residual food is then consumed by the dogs. Of course, since the Leptospirosis germ can enter the animal’s body through the skin, then any dog (or human) wading through infected waters without protective boots/clothing could become infected.
Q: ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC LEPTOSPIRA GERMS WHICH ATTACK DOGS?
A: As I mentioned above there are hundreds of types (serovars) which have been identified. The four main ones, by far (but not the only ones), have the following names:
• L. canicola
• L. icterohaemorrhagia
• L. pomona
• L. grippotyphosa
I document these types only as a reference guide. When a dog is vaccinated, these names must be printed on the vaccine vial, and the relevant information (usually the labels on the vials) are placed on the dog’s Vaccination Certificate and endorsed by the veterinarian’s signature.
Q: CAN DOGS OF ALL AGES BE INFECTED?
A: Dogs of all ages can be infected.
Q: CAN BOTH MALE AND FEMALE BE AFFECTED?
A: There seems to be no special affinity of the germ to either male or female dogs
Q: WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
A: The signs of a Leptospira infection which emerge between 4-12 days after the dog has been infected include:
1. Yellowing (jaundice) of the whites of the eyes, the ears, the mouth (oral cavity) and the underbelly. The degree of yellowing will depend on the severity of the infection and the general health status of the animal.
2. Fever.
3. Depression and listlessness.
4. Loss of appetite; and the affected animal exhibits a pronounced desire to drink more water/fluids.
5. Expression of pain, especially when the animal’s abdomen and muscles of its extremities are touched.
6. The emergence of blood in the urine later on. The dog may also exhibit a disinclination to urinate.
7. Diarrhoea and vomiting which lead to severe dehydration.
8. Ulcers begin to develop in the mouth.

N.B.
1. Your vet’s laboratory facilities can be used to help more definitively with the diagnosis.
2. Your veterinarian will palpate the patient’s kidneys and liver (not too difficult in a young and/or emaciated dog), to ascertain if there is any swelling (enlargement) of these two organs.

Q: CAN THE DOG OVERCOME THE LEPTOSPIRA INFECTION?
A: Yes! But it would be remiss of me not to mention that because both the pet’s owner and the vet want the animal to survive, there may be the tendency to think that the ailment has been conquered, after the initial exhibition of the symptoms has declined – only to experience a later surge of more intense and debilitating developments, especially bloody diarrhoea.
Once the yellowing (jaundice) has emerged, the staining of the skin of the legs, ears and elsewhere does not disappear easily and quickly. Even if the patient overcomes the ailment, this yellowing will persists for a while.
Q: WHAT TREATMENT PROTOCOL CAN THE CAREGIVER EXPECT THE VET TO INTRODUCE?
1. Immediately your vet will introduce:
• Rehydration and Dialysis therapy.
• Antibiotics. Over the years vets have been successful in administering Tetracyclines, Doxycycline and Penicillin to counter the phase when the germ is in the blood stream. Also, Enrofloxacin, a relatively more recent antibiotic, seems to kill the Leptospira germ.
2. All other supportive interventions that he/she may deem necessary (e.g. special diets, medication to reduce the fever and counteract the vomiting and diarrhoea, etc.).
Q: SHOULD DOGS COMPULSORILY RECEIVE VACCINATIONS AGAINST LEPTOSPIROSIS?
A: Compulsorily is a strong assertion. But it is very advisable to have your dog vaccinated against “Lepto”. We are lucky that the vaccines against Canine Distemper and Parvovirus (See “Pet Care” Columns of November 22 and 29, 2020) also include the main types (serovars) of the Lepto germs which are lethal – see above.
Please follow the vaccination protocol which your vet will suggest – viz. at least 3 vaccinations within a 6-week period, commencing when the pup is at least 6 weeks old and even as an adult, including an “Annual Booster”). The vaccines are safe and effective, once they have been stored properly and administered to the puppies not before 6 weeks of age.
Q: ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS TO THE “LEPTO” VACCINE?
A: Highly unlikely. But it is a vaccine and as such there is always a possibility (though slight) of a reaction, e.g. Listlessness and inappetence a day or two after the vaccination. If the animal displays a “shock” reaction, it will occur shortly after the vaccination. Call your vet immediately. Some vets actually will provide anti-allergy tablets, to be given to the animal by the caregiver, just in case there is a severe reaction before or when the animal arrives home.

We shall discuss anaphylactic shock/reactions later.