Treatment and outcome of dogs with leptospirosis: 36 cases (1990-1998)

Objective-To characterize serologic and clinical features and outcome of do gs with leptospirosis that were treated conservatively tie, medical managem ent alone) or with hemodialysis. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-36 dogs with leptospirosis. Procedure-History; results of physical examinations, ultrasonography, and s erologic, hematologic, and serum biochemical analyses; time to resolution o f azotemia; and outcome were obtained from medical records. Dogs were treat ed conservatively (n =22) or with hemodialysis (14). Results-Between 1990 and 1998, amount of rainfall was positively correlated with number of cases of leptospirosis identified per year. Serum antibodie s against 6 Leptospira serovars were measured, and titers were highest to L eptospira pomona in 16 (44%) dogs, L bratislava in 9 (25%) dogs, and L hard jo in 1 (3%) dog. Eight (22%) dogs had equally high titers to L pomona and L bratislava, 1 (3%) had equally high liters to L grippotyphosa and L canic ola, and 1 (3%) had high liters to L grippotyphosa, L pomona, L canicola, a nd L bratislava. During initial evaluation, all dogs were azotemic. Thirty (83%) dogs survived, including 12 of 14 (86%) dogs treated with hemodialysi s and 18 of 22 (82%) treated conservatively. Serum creatinine concentration was similar in both groups after resolution of clinical signs. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Infection with L pomona and L bratislava was recognized as a cause of leptospirosis in dogs, and resulted in develo pment of acute renal failure with various degrees of azotemia. Prognosis fo r dogs with mild to moderate azotemia was good with conservative treatment, whereas treatment with hemodialysis appeared to improve prognosis for dogs with severe azotemia.