Maneka Gandhi
Four of my dogs have died of kidney failure this year. I have no idea of what to do. I discussed this with Ingrid Newkirk of PETA who dropped in to Delhi for one evening and she immediately said Leptospirosis. Then two days later this opinion was reinforced by two other foreign vets, visiting India. If I don’t know about it, I am fairly sure no one else does. So this is a technical article.
The largest killer of dogs in India is kidney failure and no one can explain it. It stretches across dogs that are fed badly or well, fat and thin, pet or stray, young or old. Scientists are coming to the opinion that a little known but very rampant disease called Leptospirosis may be the killer. Through this article I would like to address anyone who has pets or runs a shelter or has a vet friend.
How Would a dog catch Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis affects many kinds of animals besides dogs. The organism that causes leptospirosis belongs to a group of organisms called spirochetes.
Dogs and cats pick this up from rats, wildlife as well as domestic livestock. More cases occur after heavy rainfall. Leptospira persist in standing water, dampness, mud and alkaline conditions.
Most infected animals that spread leptospirosis do not appear ill. In these animals, the leptospira have taken up residence in their kidneys. When they urinate they contaminate their environment with living leptospira. Animals can become infected by sniffing this urine. The leptospira are washed by rains into standing water. Animals wading, swimming or drinking the contaminated water develop the disease. They can also enter through a bite wound or through the pets eating infected materials.
What Happens A Dog Catches Leptospirosis ?
Not all dogs that are exposed to leptospirosis become visibly ill. Chronic kidney inflammation is a leading cause of kidney failure and death in dogs. This form of kidney damage can be one outcome of leptospirosis.
When leptospirosis does cause sudden disease in dogs, it tends to be most severe in dogs that are younger than 6 months old. These are the pets most likely to suffer life-threatening liver and kidney damage. It takes about 4-12 days after exposure for the pet to feel ill.
In dogs that become ill, the leptospira spread rapidly through the pet’s blood stream, usually causing high fevers, depression and joint pain. Leptospira produce powerful toxins that attack the liver and kidneys, leading to failure of these organs. Some varieties primarily cause liver damage, while others concentrate in the kidneys. In other pets, blood fails to clot normally – leading to bleeding.
What Are The Signs To See In The Dog?
The most common signs are fever and depression. These pets are cold, shivery, and stiff. They may carry their tummies tucked up due to pain. Some drool and vomit and most lose their appetite. Fever causes many dogs to drink excessively.
Later in the disease, a few pets will develop eye inflammations (uveitis), nervous system abnormalities, or pass red-tinged urine. As the disease progresses, the pet may become dehydrated due to the fever, vomiting and disinterest in drinking. A drop to subnormal body temperature is a very grave sign. A few dogs, particularly pups, will die suddenly before many of these signs occur.
When the liver has been damaged, the pet’s skin may take on a yellowish tinge and show all the symptoms of hepatitis. When the kidneys have been severely damaged, the pet may show the signs of uremia.
How Can Other Dogs Be Prevented From Catching It?
You have to find a way to deal with the urine of an infected dog so that it does not infect others. Because recovered pets can shed leptospira in their urine for months, this has to be monitored even after the animal has recovered.
Confine the animal to an easily-sanitized area of your house. Take your dog out on a leash frequently to urinate. Only allow the pet to urinate on dry concrete surface that can be easily sanitized with bleach.
How Will The Vet Treat Leptospirosis?
The treatment of leptospirosis is much easier than the diagnosis. Many common antibiotics kill leptospira – ordinary penicillin, tetracycline and erythromycin all work well. Most vets keep infected pets on a tetracycline-class antibiotic for an extended period after recovery to prevent a carrier state from developing.
Sick pets require intense supportive care to get them through the early severe stage of the disease. Dogs with stomach involvement need anti-emetic medications to lessen vomiting. Dogs that vomit need intravenous fluids to stem dehydration and correct blood acid / base balance. Rigorous fluid therapy also helps flush out the pet’s kidneys. Some animals recover. Some go on to suffer chronic renal failure or develop chronic active hepatitis – neither of which is curable.
How Can A Pet Be Prevented From Catching Leptospirosis ?
How Long Do Leptospirosis Organisms Survive In The Environment ?
Leptospira are very dependent on water, mud or damp clay soils to survive. They die almost immediately on dry surfaces – even if those surfaces could be contaminated with urine from other infected animals. Temperatures at or above 131 deg.F (42 deg.C) kill leptospira as well. All common household disinfectants (bleaches, alcohol based products, vinegar, lemon juice etc.) kill leptospira quickly; as does a liberal application of detergent or boiling for 5 minutes. Standing water can be disinfected using swimming pool chlorine tablets.
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