Leptospirosis in dogs

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease, stable and serious enough. The owner of a dog can also get infected. It is known by other names: jaundice infectious, jaundice leptospirosis, Stuttgart disease, Weil's disease. Cases of the disease are registered all over the world.

Leptospirosis. Symptoms .

There are several types of this disease. Leptospirosis in dogs can be chronic, subacute, acute, lightning fast. The incubation period is stretched from three to twenty days.

Sverhostroe (lightning) current - from 2 hours to 2 days. Fatal outcome in 95% of cases. Appears very suddenly: the body temperature rises sharply, the dog immediately becomes sluggish and depressed. There can be short bursts of excitement, even to the point of violence. Then the temperature drops to normal and even lower, the pulse is threadlike, 90-110 beats per minute. Superficial and frequent breathing. Yellow mucous, urine is bloody, asphyxia begins. After 10-20 hours the dog dies.

Acute current - refusal of feed, lethargy, depression, weakness. Temperature up to 41 ° С. When the fever passes (from 2 to 10 days), the skin turns yellow, sclera, conjunctiva, mucous. It is difficult to urinate (portions of small, brown or cherry color). The blood turns right into the needle. Dogs have back pain (they can moan, growl, arch their back). Possible diarrhea (often with blood), which later gives way to constipation. Leptospirosis in dogs causes abortions. The coat is dull, tousled, with a lot of dandruff.

After a few days on the mucous membranes of the gums, cheeks, tongue, on the skin appear necrotic spots. Formed sores, erosion and bleeding. At the bitches on the nipples are bubbled, which burst, forming solid crusts with cracks. Breathing is frequent and superficial. Before death, the muscles of the head, neck, and back are convulsively contracted. Asphyxia is pronounced.

Leptospirosis in dogs with subacute flow proceeds with the same symptoms, but they are less pronounced and develop more slowly (up to four weeks). There are more chances for recovery.

In both cases (subacute and acute course), conjunctivitis develops and pus accumulates in the corners of the eyes. Paralysis of the extremities and epilepsy are possible.

Leptospirosis in dogs with chronic course is rare. The animal quickly grows thin, the mucous membranes are anemic, the cervical and inguinal lymph nodes increase . The temperature rises suddenly and does not last long. The urine is dark yellow or brown at this time. Urination is frequent. The breathing becomes more frequent. The dog hides in the shadow, avoiding the light. Moulting is delayed, necrotic areas appear. Bitches either lose the ability to reproduce the offspring, or abort. Even if it comes to delivery, the puppies are born dead (or die soon after birth), and complications occur during labor (before and after).

Leptospirosis in dogs in atypical form can pass unnoticed. The temperature rises for a short time by one degree. Light pallor or icterus of mucous membranes. Total slight oppression. Symptoms go through a few hours (maximum five days). Then comes recovery.

Treatment and prevention.

Do not attempt to treat leptospirosis of animals yourself. In this case, only a veterinarian can help. That is why the article does not give recommendations on treatment. It is very important to put the right diagnosis. The disease in many cases ends in death, but there is still a chance of salvation. Everything depends on how much the disease is started and how quickly treatment is started.

As general preventive measures, it is necessary: boil water and milk, carefully wash the products, do not bathe the animal in non-pond water, do not allow drinking water from open water bodies, strictly control the construction of wells and water systems, and isolate the sick animal.

To date, there are several vaccines (against L. Icterohaemorrhagiae, L. Grippotyphosa, L. pomona, L. canicola).

Cases of infection of people through the fault of the animal, which is the carrier of strains of the pathogen, are infrequent. Veterinarians and those whose work is related to animals are usually at risk.