Canine Leptospirosis: Understanding the Disease
Lyme disease is an infectious zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira bacteria. In dogs, the disease manifests in two forms: infectious jaundice and canine typhoid. Clinically, it is characterized by symptoms such as fever, jaundice, bleeding, and fatigue.
Dogs and carrier animals, such as rats, are the primary sources of transmission. Dogs can become infected by consuming contaminated food or water that has been soiled by other dogs or carrier animals. Additionally, the disease can be transmitted through mating, placental infection, and certain bloodsucking insects. Lyme disease is most prevalent during the summer and autumn months and is widespread across the globe, with the southern and southwestern provinces of China experiencing particularly severe outbreaks.
The incubation period for the disease ranges from 5 to 15 days. The typhoid form of Leptospira is primarily characterized by nephritis. Dogs with this form exhibit symptoms such as depression, a rise in body temperature to 39.5 to 41 degrees Celsius, chills, muscle stiffness and pain, weakness in the limbs, and a tendency to sit rather than move. The conjunctiva and oral mucosa become congested, leading to ulcers and an unpleasant odor. Appetite may decrease or disappear entirely, but thirst may increase.
Abdominal palpation is sensitive, and as the condition worsens, it can progress to uremia, resulting in symptoms such as anuria, foulsmelling urine, and kidney failure, as well as dehydration. If the liver is affected, up to 15% of dogs may develop jaundice. The dog may eventually lapse into a coma and die, with the course of the disease lasting between 5 to 7 days.
Traditional Chinese medicine treatment involves using ingredients such as Isatis root (Banlangen), loofah (Sousha Luo), honeysuckle vine (Rendong藤), tangerine peel (Chenpi), and gypsum (Shigao), each in a dosage of 5 grams. The first four ingredients are boiled in water, and the resulting liquid is then used to mix the powdered gypsum. This mixture is administered in three divided doses, with one dose per day, and the treatment is continued for 3 to 5 days.
In this particular case, the dog had a habit of indiscriminately licking food and water. Symptoms included vomiting after drinking water, loss of appetite, and vomiting after drinking. The dog was found dead in the bathroom, and it is suspected that the dog may have been suffering from nephritis or typhoid form of Leptospira infection.
