Symptoms and treatment of leptospirosis in dogs. Prevention and rules of communication with a sick dog. Therapy methods include a whole range of measures

The causative agent of leptospirosis (water fever, infectious jaundice) - pathogenic bacteria genus Leptospira. In nature, there are 6 serotypes of bacteria; L. Icterohaemorrhagiae, L. Canicolau are susceptible to dogs. Bacteria live in moist soil, lakes, rivers up to 280 days. Heat and moisture are the most favorable environment for hydrophiles. Most of them are found in tropical countries. Leptospira cannot exist only in permafrost and Antarctica.

The causative agent of leptospirosis is a bacterium that lives in water bodies and moist soil.

Once inside the body of a dog, leptospira begin to move along lymphatic system, from there they enter the tissues and blood. Directly in the lymphatic system inflammatory processes not happening. Leptospira begin to multiply and accumulate in the internal organs: liver, kidneys, lungs, spleen.

The incubation period of the disease is three to thirty days. Then leptospira again penetrate into the blood, release toxins and poisons. Intoxication of the body occurs, as a result of which the work of the central nervous system is disrupted.

An infected dog, after 5-8 days, begins to release bacteria into the external environment. The process of isolating leptospira from the body of a sick dog takes from several days to several years. In this case, the dog can be an active carrier of the disease, but not get sick with leptospirosis itself.

Is it possible to infect a person

A person can contract leptospirosis from a dog. The infection penetrates through the mucous membranes and skin. Therefore, when treating and caring for a sick animal, you must follow the rules of personal hygiene. If the dog is sick with leptospirosis, the house is kept perfectly clean.

The host can become infected through contact with the animal itself, its urine, feces, saliva. It is enough to touch the hand with microcracks or small wounds to the infected surface, and the bacteria penetrate into the blood.

The main sign of infection with leptospira is a violation of the digestive tract, kidney and liver failure. The pathogen accumulates in the parenchymal organs, affects the network of capillaries, multiplies in the tissues.

Outwardly, the following symptoms indicate the development of the disease:

• Slight rise in temperature.
• Lethargy.
• Decreased appetite.
• Vomit.
• Jaundice of mucous membranes and skin.
• Blood impurities in urine and feces.
• Violation of urination.

The intensity of the manifestation of symptoms depends on the state of the animal's body, the quality of its immunity.

Stages of development and forms of the disease

After infection with leptospira bacteria, the development of the disease begins, which goes through two stages:

From the moment of infection to the final stage, leptospirosis goes through several forms:

• Acute. The disease progresses at a high rate (1-4 days). Such a sharp course in 80% of cases leads to death.
• Subacute. It proceeds at an average speed - from 10 to 20 days. Mortality in this form is reduced to 50%.
• Chronic. If the acute or subacute form does not kill the dog, the disease progresses to chronic stage lasting from 30 days to several years. Symptoms of the disease in this case are not expressed, sometimes there is an exacerbation.
• Microcarrying. An asymptomatic form of the disease, when the dog is an active carrier of the pathogen and a source of infection for other animals.

Special forms of the disease

Depending on the localization of bacteria in the body, two forms of leptospirosis are distinguished.

Hemorrhagic form

Develops with liver damage. It is characterized by an increase in temperature up to 41 degrees, lethargy, lack of appetite. The mucous membranes become bright red. The capillaries begin to bleed. There is severe pain abdominal cavity. Blood clots are observed in vomit, feces and urine.

Within a short time there is a sharp dehydration of the body. Ulcers form in the mouth. There is a hemorrhagic inflammation of the intestine, in the feces there is unclotting scarlet blood. The amount of urine excreted decreases, gradually to complete cessation kidney work. These clinical signs of leptospirosis lead to the rapid death of the dog.

icteric form

Similarly with hemorrhagic it is characterized by renal and hepatic insufficiency. The disease is manifested by yellowness of the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, genitals, conjunctiva. The animal is in depressed state refuses to eat. There is diarrhea, vomiting.

Possible fatal outcome with this form of leptospirosis, it can occur due to severe intoxication of the body and dehydration. A complication of the icteric form is keratitis and conjunctivitis.

Diagnosis of leptospirosis

The diagnosis of the disease is based on the study of epizootological data for the region. The diagnosis is established after studying the anamnesis, description clinical manifestations illness. If leptospirosis is suspected, a number of laboratory research: biochemical, serological analyses.

When making a diagnosis, the veterinarian takes into account the lifestyle of the dog, finds out possible ways infections: swimming in a pond, drinking water from a puddle, contact with stray animals, tick bites.

What to do if your dog has leptospirosis

Delay in the treatment of leptospirosis can cost your pet life! Treatment of leptospirosis begins only after an accurate diagnosis is made. Self-medication with this disease is not permissible. An infected dog is isolated to prevent the spread of the infection.

Therapy methods include a whole range of measures:

During treatment, the dog needs a strict diet. Feeding is carried out fractionally: often and in small portions. The food must be of high quality. Products are given to the dog in boiled form, before eating the dog is given a choleretic decoction of celandine, calendula or corn stigma.

Prevention of leptospirosis and its consequences

Leptospirosis is one of the diseases that are easier to prevent than to cure. An important preventive measure is dog vaccination. Particularly relevant this action in regions where the disease is spread. The vaccination is given to the animal at the age of 2 to 4 months, then annually. Additional vaccinations are required. If you plan to travel with your pet to regions that are unfavorable in terms of the epidemiological situation.

Dogs are vaccinated with mono- and polyvaccines, associated vaccines, effective against Leptospira Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola. Currently, Biovac-L, Leptodog, Multican-6 preparations are used.

Neglect of the rules of caring for a dog and the manifestation of symptoms of leptospirosis can lead to sad consequences. In connection with the intoxication of the body, the disease gives complications in the form of internal and external bleeding, eye damage. The consequences of leptospirosis are meningoencephalitis, cirrhosis, pneumonia, paresis and even complete paralysis of the animal.

Prevention of infection of a dog with leptospirosis is quite possible, so the owner must take all possible measures. By doing this, he will not only save the pet from severe consequences disease, but also to ensure their own safety.

Infectious diseases are dangerous not only for people, but also for pets. In order to suspect leptospirosis in a dog, it is necessary to know the main signs of the disease and the route of infection.

Leptospirosis is infection bacterial nature, which is clinically manifested by intoxication syndrome, hemorrhagic manifestations, damage to the kidneys and liver.

The causative agent of leptospirosis in dogs is the spirochete Leptospira interrogans. The bacterium is a spiral movable thread. In dogs, the disease can cause several serotypes: L. Icterohaemorrhagiae, L. Grippotyphosa. The bacterium does not tolerate exposure to low temperatures and thrives in a warm and humid environment. This factor is connected with the fact that outbreaks of leptospirosis occur in summer and spring, and in winter the disease practically does not occur.

The main mechanism of infection transmission is contact. It can be implemented in the following ways:

• swimming in open water;
• through the consumption of raw water, contaminated milk or meat;
• upon contact with an infected animal.

Most often, dogs become infected when swimming in contaminated water. In this case, infection does not occur through the skin, the bacterium can enter the body only through abrasions, wounds (when water comes into contact with the blood of the animal).

Video "Leptospirosis in pets"

In this video, a qualified veterinarian will talk about the symptoms of leptospirosis, its causes, prevention and treatment.

Precautionary measures

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infection, meaning it can be transmitted from animal to person. Therefore, if your pet is sick, you should protect yourself from infection:

1. Do not come into contact with animal blood or feces. Take care of your pet carefully, using personal protective equipment. For example, when cleaning the toilet, wear rubber gloves, avoid direct contact.
2. Bring a thorough cleaning of the place where the pet is.
3. Isolate your dog from other animals that could potentially be infected.
4. Do not contact with an animal if there are open wounds on the skin.

In the clinic of the disease, the following main syndromes can be distinguished:

• fever, intoxication syndrome;
• myalgia (muscle pain);
• kidney damage;
• liver damage;
• hemorrhagic syndrome.

Depending on the form of the disease, certain signs may predominate. On the late stage diseases can be accompanied by symptoms of damage to the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

hemorrhagic

In this form, hemorrhagic syndrome predominates. It can be manifested by the appearance of petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages) on visible areas of the skin or mucous membranes. If the disease progresses, then signs of bleeding appear: nasal, gastrointestinal. The appearance of bleeding is very dangerous for the dog, because if left untreated it can be fatal.

The main syndrome is hemorrhagic, but there are also additional features. These include fever, lethargy, drowsiness, redness of the eyes.

icteric

For this form of the disease, the main symptom is liver damage. Clinically, this is manifested by icterus of the mucous membrane and visible areas of the skin. Due to the fact that the liver cannot cope with the detoxification function, a severe intoxication syndrome appears. In the future, signs of a hemorrhagic form may appear. This is due to the fact that some blood clotting factors are produced in the liver.

Additional signs of illness include:

• fever
• vomiting, diarrhea;
• decreased urine output;
• significant dehydration.

Diagnosis and treatment

Used to diagnose leptospirosis laboratory methods research. General clinical examination includes:

1. General blood test (CBC). It reveals an increase in the number of leukocytes and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). These indicators are not specific, they only indicate the presence of a bacterial infection.
2. General urine analysis (OAM). There is oliguria (a decrease in the amount of urine excreted), erythrocytes, leukocytes and protein in the urine may appear. This is indicative of kidney damage.
3. Blood chemistry. Examine the functions of the kidneys and liver. In the renal complex, there is an increase in the level of creatinine, urea. In the liver complex - an increase in the level of bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST).

Treatment of leptospirosis in dogs must necessarily include the appointment of medications.

Etiotropic treatment (aimed at combating the cause of the infection) consists in the use of antibacterial agents. Most often, a group of penicillins is prescribed, for example, "Benzylpenicillin". The dosage of the drug is selected by the veterinarian individually and depends on the weight of the dog and the severity of the disease. In the first days of the disease, it is possible to prescribe an immunological serum for passive immunization dogs.

Leptospirosis in dogs

Leptospirosis (synonyms: Stuttgart disease, infectious jaundice, Weil's disease) is a zooanthroponotic bacterial natural focal disease of many types of agricultural, domestic, including dogs, cats, and wild animals; characterized by fever, anemia, hemorrhagic lesions of the kidneys, liver, mucous membranes oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, as well as disorders of the central nervous system. Humans are also susceptible to leptospirosis.

The causative agent is bacteria from the genus Leptospira, which are members of the spirochete family (Spirochaetaceae). In Russia, the disease in animals is caused by leptospira of 6 serogroups, divided into 3 independent groups: L. Icterohaemorrhagiae, L. Canicolau and L. Grippotyphosa. In dogs, leptospirae of the first two groups are most often isolated. The pathogen persists in the water of rivers, lakes and stagnant reservoirs for up to 200 days, in moist soil with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction - from 43 to 279 days, but quickly dies in dry soil - within 1-12 hours (A.A. Glushkov, 1984 I.A. Bakulov, 1997, etc.). Resistance to disinfectants. Leptospira are not resistant to chemicals disinfectants, belong to the first group of resistance of pathogens of infectious diseases.

epidemiological data

Various types of animals are susceptible to leptospirosis: agricultural (large and small cattle, pigs, horses, sheep), domestic (dogs, cats), wild carnivores (wolves, foxes, jackals), fur animals(Arctic foxes, minks), rodents (rats, mice, voles), as well as carnivores, marsupials, domestic and wild birds.

Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread infectious diseases animals. Infection in Russia among the examined animals averages: in dogs - 19.59% (1st place in incidence), cattle - 16.55%, horses - 12.47%, pigs - 8.36%, sheep - 2.2%. In 1997, infection in dogs reached 32.64% (Yu.A. Malakhov, G.L. Sobolev and O.L. Lebedev, 1999-2000), i.e. every 3rd of the examined dogs was either sick or was a leptospiral carrier.

The source and reservoir of the infectious agent are sick and recovered animals that excrete leptospira from the body into the external environment along with urine, feces, milk, as well as secretions from the lungs and genital organs. The term of leptospiron carriage in dogs ranges from several months to 3-4 years, in cats - up to 4 months, in foxes - up to 17 months. Rodents are lifelong reservoir carriers of Leptospira (S.Ya. Lyubashenko, 1978; A.A. Glushkov, 1984; N.A. Masimov, A.I. Belykh, 1988, 1996; P.F. Suter , 1994, 1998, etc.). In this regard, rodents, as well as dogs carrying leptospira, pose a great epidemiological and epizootological danger.

Most often, mass diseases of dogs are observed in the summer-autumn period of the year.

Leptospirosis in dogs

For leptospirosis, contact, water and feed routes of infection are most typical. In addition, a transmissible route of infection is possible (through the bites of ticks and insects). The causative agent enters the body mainly through the mucous membranes of the digestive, respiratory and urogenital systems when using contaminated feed and water, eating the corpses of sick animals, as well as when bathing dogs in infected water bodies, through damaged skin, as well as when mating (mating) leptospiro-carrier dogs.

The incubation period for canine leptospirosis ranges from 2 to 12 days.

Pathogenesis

Leptospira easily enters the body through mucous membranes or damaged skin and is carried through the bloodstream to parenchymal organs(kidneys, liver, lungs), where they multiply intensively for 2-12 days (duration incubation period). Then the pathogen enters the blood again, releasing a large number of toxins. At the same time, hyperthermia and intoxication of the body are noted in sick animals. In particular, Leptospira toxins destroy the endothelium of capillaries, causing an increase in their permeability, as well as significant disturbances in various parts of hemostasis, in particular, stopping blood flow in the vessels of organs and tissues. This pathology is seen in severe course leptospirosis (N.B. Primachenko, 1986).

Isolation of leptospira from the body occurs 5-7 days after infection and may continue, depending on the form of the disease, for several weeks, months, and in some cases years. This is explained by the fact that even after a clinical (incomplete) recovery in recovered animals, leptospira, which are in the convoluted tubules of the kidneys, are not available for the action of specific immunoglobulins. This is the reason for the long-term excretion of the pathogen in the urine (R.F. Sosov, 1974; I.A. Bakulov, 1999, etc.).

Symptoms of Leptospirosis in Dogs

Depending on the serogroup of the pathogen, the degree of its virulence, the magnitude of the infectious dose, as well as the state of specific immunity and body resistance, leptospirosis in dogs can occur in various forms: acute, subacute, chronic and latent (asymptomatic). The main criteria for the severity of the disease are the severity of the hemorrhagic syndrome, kidney and liver damage (intensity of jaundice).

In this regard, most authors distinguish hemorrhagic and icteric forms of leptospirosis in dogs. In particular, it is noted that L.icterohaemorrhagiae usually causes an icteric form, L.pomona leptospira - mostly hemorrhagic, rarely icteric, and Lcanicola, as a rule, a hemorrhagic form without jaundice (S.A. Lyubashenko, 1978 .; V. A. Chizhov et al., 1992). However, in our opinion, the icteric form, or rather the manifestation of jaundice, is associated not only with the belonging of the causative agent of leptospirosis to a certain serogroup, but is largely due to the high virulence of a particular pathogen and the severity of liver damage. After all, it is sharp liver failure causes severe jaundice.

Hemorrhagic (anicteric) form of leptospirosis occurs mainly in older dogs. The disease occurs most often in acute or under acute form, begins suddenly and is characterized by short-term hyperthermia up to 40-41.5 ° C, severe depression, anorexia, increased thirst, hyperemia of the mucous membranes of the oral and nasal cavities, conjunctiva.

Later (on the 2-3rd day) the body temperature drops to 37-38°C, and a pronounced hemorrhagic syndrome develops: pathological bleeding of the mucous membranes and other membranes of the body (oral, nasal cavity, gastrointestinal tract); outdoor and internal bleeding and hemorrhages (vomiting blood, prolonged diarrhea With copious blood, vaginal bleeding, etc.); significant bruising in places of subcutaneous and intramuscular injections; severe pain on palpation in the kidneys, liver, stomach, intestines and muscle tissue.

Along with this, the disease can also be manifested by severe dehydration, ulcerative and necrotic stomatitis, acute hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, acute renal failure (hematuria, oliguria, nephrosonephritis), etc. These clinical signs develop in rapid succession, in dogs often occur clonic convulsions and then they die in a deep coma. Jaundice of the skin and mucous membranes (jaundice) in the hemorrhagic form of leptospirosis, as a rule, is not noted.

In the acute form, the duration of the disease is 1-4 days, sometimes 5-10 days, mortality can reach 60-80%.

The subacute form of leptospirosis is characterized by similar symptoms, but they develop more slowly and are less pronounced. The disease usually lasts 10-15, sometimes up to 20 days if there are mixed or secondary infections. Mortality in subacute form is 30-50%.

In many animals, the subacute form often becomes chronic, and (or) convalescent dogs for several months they are leptospiro carriers (typical microcarriage by convalescents).

The icteric form is recorded mainly in puppies and young dogs aged 1-2 years. The disease can be acute, subacute and chronic. Moreover, some clinical signs of the disease described above in the hemorrhagic form of leptospirosis, in particular, short-term hyperthermia up to 40-41C, vomiting with blood, acute gastroenteritis, severe pain on palpation in the area of ​​​​the liver, kidneys, stomach, intestines and others, is often observed in the icteric form.

home distinguishing feature icteric form of the disease - specific localization and colonization of the liver with leptospira, which causes severe hepatopathy (toxic-inflammatory and degenerative damage to liver cells) and deep violations its most important functions.

The main symptoms of leptospiral hepatopathy are not only pronounced jaundice (icteric staining from light yellow to dark yellow of the mucous membranes of the oral, nasal cavity, vagina, as well as the skin of the abdomen, perineum, inner surface ears and other areas), but also dyspeptic syndrome(depression, anorexia, vomiting), hemorrhagic syndrome (hemorrhages in the mucous membranes, skin, etc.), hepatolienal syndrome (enlarged liver and spleen), etc.

In addition, with icteric form, as with hemorrhagic, acute kidney failure. As a result of the combined defeat of the most important internal organs(liver, kidney, spleen, etc.) sick animals develop infectious-toxic shock, which is often the cause of their death.

At acute course the disease lasts 1-5 days, mortality is 40-60%, sometimes more.

The chronic form of leptospirosis, as we have already noted, often develops from acute and subacute forms against the background of mixed, secondary infections and (or) as a result of deep irreversible disorders of the immune system, functions of the liver, kidneys and other important organs. At chronic course clinical signs of the disease are mild, often hardly noticeable in normal, sometimes subfebrile temperature body. There are some disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, etc.

Diagnosis

A preliminary intravital diagnosis is made on the basis of epizootological data and clinical signs characteristic of leptospirosis, especially in the icteric form. Accurate Diagnosis established according to the results of laboratory studies (bacteriological, serological, biochemical, etc.).

At differential diagnosis First of all, food poisoning and alimentary poisoning are excluded.

Forecast

In acute and subacute forms of leptospirosis, the prognosis is mostly unfavorable or fatal.

Treatment for leptospirosis in dogs

For leptospirosis, complex therapy, including etiotropic and pathogenetic.
For the etiotropic therapy of sick dogs, hyperimmune serum against leptospirosis is successfully used at a dose of 0.5 ml per 1 kg of body weight, especially in the early stages of the disease. Serum is injected subcutaneously, usually 1 time per day for 2-3 days.

In antibiotic therapy, drugs of the penicillin group are used, which are effective against leptospira of various serogroups and spirochetes in general: bicillin-1, bicillin-3. In particular, the latter are used to create a long-term therapeutic concentration of bicillin in the blood. Doses: 10,000-20,000 IU per 1 kg of animal weight 1 time in 3 days (2 times a week). The suspension of the drug is injected with a thick needle intramuscularly (it is impossible to inject intravenously!). The course of treatment to stop leptospiremia is from 2 to 6 injections, however, leptospira persist in the kidneys long time. It is also used at a dose of 10-15 IU per 1 kg of body weight 2 times a day for 5 days.

Immunity

In animals that have recovered from leptospirosis, a stable intense immunity is formed, which can be sterile or non-sterile (in leptospirosis-carrying dogs with severe kidney damage).

Pathological and anatomical changes in leptospirosis

An external examination of the corpses of dogs that have died from the icteric form of leptospirosis reveals a pronounced icteric coloration of all visible mucous membranes (oral, nasal cavity, vagina) and various parts of the body. At autopsy, icterus is found in almost all internal organs and tissues of the body (lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, etc.). The liver is enlarged, flabby. The kidneys and perirenal tissue are edematous, with an incision in the kidneys, changes characteristic of nephritis (pyelonephritis) are observed.

In the hemorrhagic form of leptospirosis in various organs and tissues, a pathoanatomical picture of acute hemorrhagic inflammation is observed: extensive or numerous petechial hemorrhages and separate foci of necrosis on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, in the lungs, kidneys, bladder, spleen, etc. The lymph nodes enlarged, edematous, have multiple hemorrhages. In addition, foci of necrosis and extensive hemorrhages are found in muscle tissue.

Prevention of leptospirosis in dogs

For active immunoprophylaxis of leptospirosis in dogs, domestic and foreign mono-, polyvalent (against leptospira of two serogroups: Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola) and associated vaccines are used: mono- and polyvalent vaccines - -L, vaccine against leptospirosis in dogs (NPO Narvak), polyvalent vaccine VGNKI against leptospirosis in animals, etc. (Russia), Leptodog (France), etc.; domestic associated vaccines - Biovak-DPAL, Biorabik (NPO "Biocenter"), Dipentavak (JSC Vetzverocenter), Multikan-6 (NPO "Narvak"); foreign associated vaccines - Hexadog, Leptorabizin (France), Vanguard-5b, Vanguard-7 (USA), etc.

In accordance with the instructions for the use of foreign vaccines, two-time vaccination of puppies is indicated, for adult animals - a single one. According to Yu.A. Malakhov, G.L. Sobolev (2000), such a single vaccination of adult dogs only partially prevents leptospirosis and leptospiron carriage within 4-6 months. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out two annual vaccinations of all dogs with an interval of 2-3 weeks.

For passive immunization of puppies and adult dogs with unknown immune status in conditions of an unfavorable epizootic situation for leptospirosis, especially when animals are kept in a group, it is recommended to use hyperimmune serum against leptospirosis, as well as to use the method of active-passive immunization (simultaneous administration of a vaccine and hyperimmune serum against dog leptospirosis).

General prevention of leptospirosis is strict observance a complex of veterinary and sanitary, zootechnical and organizational and economic measures (see in more detail "Parvovirus enteritis", prevention).

Considering that sick animals and dogs carrying leptospirosis pose an immediate epidemiological danger, all people serving these dogs must strictly observe personal hygiene and prevention measures, including vaccination against leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis(another name is Stuttgart disease, Weil's disease, infectious jaundice) is a serious infectious natural focal disease. This disease can also affect the owner of the animal..
Leptospirosis is characterized by fever, anemia, jaundice, hemorrhagic lesions of the kidneys, liver, hemorrhages on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, excretion of hemoglobin in the urine, abortions, and dysfunction of the central nervous system.
Many types of animals are susceptible to leptospirosis: agricultural (large and small cattle, pigs, horses, sheep), domestic (dogs, cats), wild carnivores (wolves, foxes, jackals), fur-bearing animals (arctic foxes, minks), rodents (rats , mice, voles), as well as carnivores, marsupials, domestic and wild birds. The young are the most sensitive. In addition, the person is also susceptible. Rodents are a reservoir of infection.
Currently, leptospirosis is registered in most countries of the world. Basically, mass diseases of dogs with leptospirosis are recorded from May to November. Single cases of the disease are possible throughout the year.
In many cases, the disease proceeds secretly without clear clinical signs.

The causative agent of leptospirosis are bacteria from the genus Leptospira, members of the family Spirochaetes. In Russia, the disease in animals is caused by leptospires of six serological groups, which are divided into three independent groups: L. Icterohaemorrhagiae, L. canicolau, L. grippotyphosa. Dogs are more likely to excrete L. icterohaemorrhagiae and L. canicolau.
Leptospira persist for a long time in the environment at low temperatures, even when frozen. To maintain the vital activity of leptospira are favorable heat(34-36°C) and humidity (rainy season, subtropical and tropical latitudes), standing water, neutral or slightly alkaline soils. In stagnant water, moist soil, leptospira persist for up to 200 days. The sun's rays and drying kill them within 2 hours, at a temperature of 76 ° C they die instantly. 0.5% solutions of sodium hydroxide, phenol and 0.25% formalin kill the pathogen in 5-10 minutes.

Pathogen source leptospirosis are sick and recovered animals that are carriers of leptospira. A person does not serve as a source of infection for dogs, since, as a rule, from his body into environment not happening prolonged release pathogen. Hygiene measures and the acidic pH of human urine also contribute to this.
Leptospira are excreted primarily in the urine. When they get into a puddle, a pond, a drinking bowl, leptospira begin to actively multiply. Dogs become infected by ingesting food and water contaminated with leptospira. Indirect infection can occur - through the soil, bedding, leash or collar contaminated with the urine of a sick animal. It is possible to transmit the pathogen with milk, during mating, by transmission, that is, through the bites of ticks and other insects.
Severe leptospirosis is more common in young dogs, who do not have passive immunity passed from mother to puppies. Dogs living in the city are more likely to get sick than in the suburbs. The risk group includes yard animals, as well as hunting dogs.

Infection, ways of penetration of the pathogen and its spread within the body of the animal.

The pathogen enters the dog's body through minor injuries of the skin, through intact mucous membranes of the nasal, oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. If a dog drinks water from an infected reservoir or bathes in it, then the pathogen will be in the blood of the animal in 30-50 minutes.
Leptospira, having penetrated the body, with the blood flow enter the liver, where they multiply, and then spread through the tissues and organs of the animal. Against this background, the dog has an increase in body temperature. Then the temperature returns to normal. In the kidneys, leptospira are protected from the action of blood antibodies, therefore they freely multiply in their convoluted tubules. The pathogen causes the destruction of red blood cells blood, anemia, the formation of a special pigment bilirubin, which accumulates in tissues, leading to their staining in yellow. Hemoglobin accumulates in the blood and is partly excreted in the urine, causing the latter to turn red. The causes of animal death are heart failure and severe renal failure.

Clinical signs.

The incubation period for canine leptospirosis is 2 to 15 days. The disease is acute, subacute, chronic and asymptomatic. In dogs, hemorrhagic and icteric forms of leptospirosis are isolated..

Hemorrhagic (or anicteric) form of leptospirosis observed mainly in adult dogs. The disease often begins suddenly and is characterized by a short-term increase in temperature up to 40-41.5 ° C, severe depression, lack of appetite, increased thirst, hyperemia of the mucous membranes of the oral and nasal cavities, conjunctiva.
Approximately on the 2-3rd day, the body temperature drops to 37-38 ° C, and a pronounced hemorrhagic syndrome develops: pathological bleeding of all mucous membranes of the body, external and internal hemorrhages (vomiting blood, prolonged diarrhea with blood); severe hemorrhages in the internal organs and bruising when performing injections. At the same time, they note severe loss fluids from the body with vomiting and diarrhea, ulcerative stomatitis, acute hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, acute renal failure. Clinical signs of the disease develop rapidly, dogs experience convulsions and then death. Yellow staining of the skin and mucous membranes in the hemorrhagic form of leptospirosis, as a rule, is not observed.
The percentage of death of dogs in the acute form of the hemorrhagic form of leptospirosis is 60-80%, the duration of the disease is 1-4 days, sometimes 5-10 days. The percentage of death in the subacute form is 30-50%, the symptoms of the disease grow more slowly, they are less pronounced. The disease usually lasts 10-15, sometimes up to 20 days, if secondary infections join.

Icteric form of leptospirosis, mainly observed in puppies and young dogs aged 1-2 years. Some clinical signs characteristic of the hemorrhagic form (a short-term increase in temperature to 40-41.5 ° C, vomiting with blood, gastroenteritis) are often observed in the icteric form of leptospirosis. The main distinguishing feature of the icteric form of the disease is the reproduction of leptospira in the liver, leading to serious violations its functions. As a result, there is a pronounced staining of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, nasal cavity, vagina, as well as the skin of the abdomen, perineum, the inner surface of the ears in yellow, pronounced oppression, refusal to feed, vomiting, hemorrhages in the mucous membranes and skin, enlargement of the liver and spleen. In addition, in the icteric form, as in the hemorrhagic form, acute renal failure is observed. As a result of simultaneous damage to the most important internal organs (liver, kidneys, spleen), sick animals develop toxic shock, which often causes their death.
In an acute course, the percentage of death of dogs is 40-60%, the duration of the disease is 1-5 days.

The prognosis for acute and subacute forms of leptospirosis is usually unfavorable.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical signs. Examine fresh urine and blood, posthumously - the liver, kidneys, fluid from the chest and abdominal cavity. In the urine, leptospira can be detected within two hours after sampling. A urine sample is first examined under a microscope, then it is necessary to inoculate on various nutrient media.
In the blood of animals, it is not leptospira that is found, but antibodies to this disease. Antibodies are produced immune system animal in response to penetration pathogen, in this case, on the penetration into the body of leptospira. Therefore, in order for the diagnosis to be final, it is necessary to repeat the study in a week. With leptospirosis, there will be an increase in antibody titer several times.

Treatment .

It is important to remember that any treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian. This is especially true for diseases with a severe form of the course. For any serious illness It is very important to start appropriate treatment in a timely manner. In most cases, independent attempts at therapeutic help provided at home lead to a deplorable result. When such animals get to the veterinary clinic, unfortunately, they can no longer be cured. The disease progresses quickly enough, destroying other vital important organs, so every missed day, alas, is not good for your pet.
Best therapeutic effect in leptospirosis is achieved by a combination of specific and symptomatic therapy which it is desirable to carry out in stationary conditions veterinary clinic.

Specific Therapy- means of this type of therapy are designed to eliminate the pathogen from the body of the dog. Their use is most effective in acute initial stage infections until the diseased animal has developed severe lesions in the organs and tissues. Hyperimmune serum against leptospirosis is administered, optimally no later than 4-6 days from the onset of clinical signs of the disease. During the circulation of leptospira in the blood, an antibiotic of the penicillin series, dihydrostreptomycin and streptomycin are used.

Symptomatic therapy aimed at eliminating certain symptoms sickness and relief general condition animal: it includes the use antispasmodic drugs, drugs that protect the liver, antiemetics, anticonvulsants and heart drugs. The dog is placed in a warm room, with the development of dehydration, balanced solutions (Ringer's lactate solutions, glucose solutions), vitamins are administered intravenously.

In the treatment of leptospirosis, it is equally important and diet therapy. During the period of illness and after it, dogs should be fed food with low content protein, in the case of the icteric form - low in fat.

Immunity. In recovered dogs, a stable and intense immunity is formed, which lasts for years. However, vaccination of the animal with specific vaccines is still required, especially when the animal is taken to disadvantaged areas. this disease areas.

Prevention.

To prevent leptospirosis, dogs should be vaccinated annually. In many veterinary clinics You will be offered complex vaccines that protect your pet from leptospirosis, rabies, canine distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus infection and parvovirus enteritis infections. A dog can be vaccinated with both domestic complex vaccines and imported vaccines.
Against leptospirosis, dogs are vaccinated starting at 8-9 weeks of age, re-vaccination is carried out at intervals of 21-28 days. Before vaccination, anthelmintic treatment of the animal is required. Usually drugs are used a wide range actions (drugs with a combination of praziquantel and pyrantel). They try not to walk dogs in wetlands, do not allow swimming in ponds with stagnant water.
When caring for sick animals, it is very important for people to observe individual hygiene measures and maintain cleanliness of the premises, since there is a risk of human infection through contact with infected urine and secretions of a sick animal.

Ekaterina Loginova, veterinarian.

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Leptospirosis in dogs is one of the most severe systemic diseases, which affects many vital systems and leads, in the absence of adequate treatment to persistent pathologies. May appear various violations work of the gastrointestinal tract, hepatitis, pancreatitis. It is necessary to recognize the symptoms of leptospirosis in dogs in a timely manner and begin proper treatment in a complex of measures recommended by a veterinarian.

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease affecting dogs all breeds. It is carried by rats, but it can also be passed from dog to dog. Microbes are found in dog urine. The disease develops rapidly and is often fatal. A person can also become infected (then the disease is called infectious jaundice).

The causative agent, symptoms and signs of leptospirosis in dogs (with photo)

The disease is difficult to recognize early stage, since at the beginning the symptoms of leptospirosis in dogs are similar to distemper, hepatitis and nephritis. There are two types of the disease, depending on the microbe of the causative agent of leptospirosis: Leptospira Canicola and Icterohemorrhagiae. They have common symptoms, but the second type is more severe.

Common signs of leptospirosis in dogs are lethargy, weight loss, tightness in the back of the body, liquid stool and temperature 39.8-40.7 °C. The whites of the eyes become clogged with small arteries, often giving them a coppery-yellow tint. In the later stages of the disease, the temperature drops to normal or lower. Light pressure on the liver causes pain.

If the dog has a milder form of leptospirosis (Canicola), the urine may be orange, chocolate, or Brown color may contain traces of blood.

The main symptom of the second type (Icterohemorrhagiae) is jaundice. With the development of the disease of the white of the eyes, the mucous membrane of the mouth and the skin turn yellow.

By the time jaundice is noticed, damage to the liver and kidneys is so severe that recovery is impossible.

The incubation period for canine leptospirosis is 2 to 15 days. The disease is acute, subacute, chronic and asymptomatic. In dogs, hemorrhagic and icteric forms of leptospirosis are isolated.

Treatment and prevention of leptospirosis in dogs

Treatment for leptospirosis in dogs is to remove the pathogen from the body and minimize symptoms.

To eliminate the pathogen, the dog is injected with hyperimmune serum (no later than 4-6 days from the onset of the disease), penicillin, dihydrostreptomycin and streptomycin are used. To relieve symptoms, antispasmodic for the liver, antiemetic, anticonvulsant and cardiac are used. The dog is placed in a warm room, with dehydration, balanced solutions and vitamins are administered intravenously. During illness and after it, the pet should be given food with a low protein content, in the case of an icteric form - with a low fat content.

In recovered dogs, a stable and intense immunity is formed, which lasts for years. However, vaccination of the animal is still required, especially when exporting it to regions that are unfavorable for this disease.

To prevent leptospirosis in dogs, animals should be vaccinated annually: we recommend complex vaccines that protect your pet from leptospirosis, rabies, canine distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus infection and parvovirus enteritis.

Against leptospirosis, dogs are vaccinated starting at 8-9 weeks of age, re-vaccination is carried out at intervals of 21-28 days. Before vaccination, anthelmintic treatment of the animal is required.