Clinical findings in dogs diagnosed with leptospirosis in England

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.

Stakeholder opinion‐led study to identify canine priority diseases for surveillance and control in the UK

“…Leptospirosis is an endemic zoonotic disease caused by Gram-negative spirochaetes and is of worldwide importance. 51 Leishmaniosis is a protozoal vector-borne zoonotic disease transmitted by sandflies and associated with lethargy and dermatological signs; it is generally considered exotic to the UK, with most affected dogs having a recent travel history into the UK from endemic regions. 52 This indicates that one of the participants' main concerns about canine epidemics, in addition to disease burden and animal welfare, is the protection of public health.…”

“…The final ranking of both canine endemic and canine exotic diseases had two zoonoses ranked at the top. Leptospirosis is an endemic zoonotic disease caused by Gram‐negative spirochaetes and is of worldwide importance 51 . Leishmaniosis is a protozoal vector‐borne zoonotic disease transmitted by sandflies and associated with lethargy and dermatological signs; it is generally considered exotic to the UK, with most affected dogs having a recent travel history into the UK from endemic regions 52 .…”

Updated ACVIM consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs

“…The most common CBC findings include neutrophilia (27%‐94%), increased band neutrophils (3%‐81%), lymphopenia (2%‐29%), monocytosis (29%‐68%), thrombocytopenia (14%‐73%), and mild to moderate, non‐regenerative anemia (18%‐92%) 48,64‐79 . Uncommonly, severe anemia occurs, which may follow gastrointestinal or pulmonary hemorrhage 80 .…”

Retrospective evaluation of 22 dogs with leptospirosis treated with extracorporeal renal replacement therapies (2018‐2021)

“…3,5 In earlier studies mainly describing cases treated with medical management, severe azotemia was associated with a poor prognosis. [5][6][7] During the disease's acute phase, dogs typically are presented with an AKI secondary to acute interstitial nephritis. 8 Thirty percent of dogs with acute leptospirosis develop oliguria or anuria.…”