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3 1/2 year old Husky with Kidney Failure
Bentley is only 3 1/2 and about a month ago started drinking obsessively then about a week later stopped eating. He went for about 3 weeks with out eating and lost a little weight but for the most part acts like his self. We have been doctoring for 3 weeks and at first his urine and blood levels were all in the normal range. On 5/20 his BUN was 7 and his creatine was 1.4 so he was ok so was sort of a mystery as to why he was having symptoms. 9 days later his BUN was 40 and his creatine was 7.9. Did more blood work and it came back positive for leptospira. He has been on antibiotics for a week and hid drinking has been normal to high but not obsessed. He will only eat Bacon stips and 1 small can of chicken each day. Won't eat his dog food or normal table food or sweets (which he loved). His urine test yesterday was still not very concentrated so that is not looking good. Vet is guessing he came into contact somewhere with wild animal urine to get the leptosipira (don't have any clue how cause he is kept on leash and inside mostly). Just wondering if others had case similar to ours and what was outcome?? Any medical help on what we should do or try with him? Thanks much in advance for any responses.
Thanks so much for your advice. In last 2 days he has started eating even better so hoping we are on the track to recovery. Still on antibiotics and will make sure we stay on longer. Darn animals become like our kids and being only 3 1/2 it was sad to see him go down hill. Thanks again for the response !!
Hi again. Hope you managed to read my first message.
You were wondering about how and when Bentley became infected. In fact, it may have been some time ago, because this particular bacterial infection can live in the canine body for months, before it starts reproducing and targeting its attack to particular organs ... often causing severe havoc to the liver and/or kidneys. Bentley is likely to have caught the infection after being in contact with stagnant water, marshland and muddy areas. Equally, he could have been in contact with the urine of another infected dog. Hunting dogs are also at particular risk. Cases of this particular infection have been rising in the USA and Canada over recent years.
While Bentley is eating, that's good news. If he stops eating, get him back to the vet and ensure a nasogastric tube is administered, so nourishment and fluids can be given. The worst thing for this kind of infection is a dog that becomes emaciated, weak and dehydrated.
While penicillin and penicillin variants are good or the initial stages of this illness, they are no good at all for the later stages. Antibiotics need to distribute themselves into bone tissue (where blood cells are created), and penicillin just can't achieve that. The better antibiotics for the later stage include tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones. I'm sure your vet is aware of this, but it's worth double-checking. The antibiotic course should be at least 4 weeks. Any less may prove unsuccessful in killing the bacterial infection.
While recovery from the Lepto infection is likely to be good, there may be significant damage to the kidneys and/or liver. This will need to be carefully assessed once the infection has been successfully eradicated. Even though your dog may seem to recover quickly, do remember that the Lepto will still be in the bloodstream and urine for several weeks, which means you and all other household members and house guests and other animals will be at risk. Make sure you get advice on how best to deal with hygiene, animal contact and other protocols needed to prevent catching the illness.
Hope some of this helps.
Tony
You were wondering about how and when Bentley became infected. In fact, it may have been some time ago, because this particular bacterial infection can live in the canine body for months, before it starts reproducing and targeting its attack to particular organs ... often causing severe havoc to the liver and/or kidneys. Bentley is likely to have caught the infection after being in contact with stagnant water, marshland and muddy areas. Equally, he could have been in contact with the urine of another infected dog. Hunting dogs are also at particular risk. Cases of this particular infection have been rising in the USA and Canada over recent years.
While Bentley is eating, that's good news. If he stops eating, get him back to the vet and ensure a nasogastric tube is administered, so nourishment and fluids can be given. The worst thing for this kind of infection is a dog that becomes emaciated, weak and dehydrated.
While penicillin and penicillin variants are good or the initial stages of this illness, they are no good at all for the later stages. Antibiotics need to distribute themselves into bone tissue (where blood cells are created), and penicillin just can't achieve that. The better antibiotics for the later stage include tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones. I'm sure your vet is aware of this, but it's worth double-checking. The antibiotic course should be at least 4 weeks. Any less may prove unsuccessful in killing the bacterial infection.
While recovery from the Lepto infection is likely to be good, there may be significant damage to the kidneys and/or liver. This will need to be carefully assessed once the infection has been successfully eradicated. Even though your dog may seem to recover quickly, do remember that the Lepto will still be in the bloodstream and urine for several weeks, which means you and all other household members and house guests and other animals will be at risk. Make sure you get advice on how best to deal with hygiene, animal contact and other protocols needed to prevent catching the illness.
Hope some of this helps.
Tony
Hi again. Hope you managed to read my first message.
You were wondering about how and when Bentley became infected. In fact, it may have been some time ago, because this particular bacterial infection can live in the canine body for months, before it starts reproducing and targeting its attack to particular organs ... often causing severe havoc to the liver and/or kidneys. Bentley is likely to have caught the infection after being in contact with stagnant water, marshland and muddy areas. Equally, he could have been in contact with the urine of another infected dog. Hunting dogs are also at particular risk. Cases of this particular infection have been rising in the USA and Canada over recent years.
While Bentley is eating, that's good news. If he stops eating, get him back to the vet and ensure a nasogastric tube is administered, so nourishment and fluids can be given. The worst thing for this kind of infection is a dog that becomes emaciated, weak and dehydrated.
While penicillin and penicillin variants are good or the initial stages of this illness, they are no good at all for the later stages. Antibiotics need to distribute themselves into bone tissue (where blood cells are created), and penicillin just can't achieve that. The better antibiotics for the later stage include tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones. I'm sure your vet is aware of this, but it's worth double-checking. The antibiotic course should be at least 4 weeks. Any less may prove unsuccessful in killing the bacterial infection.
While recovery from the Lepto infection is likely to be good, there may be significant damage to the kidneys and/or liver. This will need to be carefully assessed once the infection has been successfully eradicated. Even though your dog may seem to recover quickly, do remember that the Lepto will still be in the bloodstream and urine for several weeks, which means you and all other household members and house guests and other animals will be at risk. Make sure you get advice on how best to deal with hygiene, animal contact and other protocols needed to prevent catching the illness.
Hope some of this helps.
Tony
You were wondering about how and when Bentley became infected. In fact, it may have been some time ago, because this particular bacterial infection can live in the canine body for months, before it starts reproducing and targeting its attack to particular organs ... often causing severe havoc to the liver and/or kidneys. Bentley is likely to have caught the infection after being in contact with stagnant water, marshland and muddy areas. Equally, he could have been in contact with the urine of another infected dog. Hunting dogs are also at particular risk. Cases of this particular infection have been rising in the USA and Canada over recent years.
While Bentley is eating, that's good news. If he stops eating, get him back to the vet and ensure a nasogastric tube is administered, so nourishment and fluids can be given. The worst thing for this kind of infection is a dog that becomes emaciated, weak and dehydrated.
While penicillin and penicillin variants are good or the initial stages of this illness, they are no good at all for the later stages. Antibiotics need to distribute themselves into bone tissue (where blood cells are created), and penicillin just can't achieve that. The better antibiotics for the later stage include tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones. I'm sure your vet is aware of this, but it's worth double-checking. The antibiotic course should be at least 4 weeks. Any less may prove unsuccessful in killing the bacterial infection.
While recovery from the Lepto infection is likely to be good, there may be significant damage to the kidneys and/or liver. This will need to be carefully assessed once the infection has been successfully eradicated. Even though your dog may seem to recover quickly, do remember that the Lepto will still be in the bloodstream and urine for several weeks, which means you and all other household members and house guests and other animals will be at risk. Make sure you get advice on how best to deal with hygiene, animal contact and other protocols needed to prevent catching the illness.
Hope some of this helps.
Tony
Hi. I just wanted to let you know that I have seen your post. I don't want to write a knee-jerk reply, because I do know there are some things about Lepto and kidney disease that are very specific. I will get back to you once I have rummaged through my info files. Probably be later today or early tomorrow.
Tony
Tony
1 Comments
Hello again. Okay ... first things first ... when Bentley comes home, it is vital you are aware (a good vet will also make you aware) that it is possible for you and other humans and companion animals to catch leptospirosis from contact with Bentley's urine. This means it is vital that you and your household maintain good and safe hygiene protocols. I would strongly advise you read-up on this in more detail - and contact your local health authority for professional guidance.
Because urine is the most common spreader of leptospirosis, it is very important that you take hygienic steps not to expose yourself to your pet’s urine. Because recovered pets can shed lepto in their urine for months, you need to continue to observe strict hygiene even after your pet has recovered (assuming he does recover).
In brief, here are some of the pieces of advice recommended via 2ndChance website:
"Here are some things you should do to minimize your risk: Have only one, healthy, family member care for the dog. Confine your pet to an easily-sanitized area of your house. Prevent exposure of other pets. Wear protective latex gloves whenever cleaning up after your dog. 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. When you are potentially exposed to any secretions or waste from your pet, disinfect your hands liberally with an iodine-based disinfectant. Doing these things will considerably lower your risk but not eliminate it entirely. Should you feel ill, you need to inform your physician about your ill pet."
The good news is that many antibiotics will successfully kill the Lepto. Doxycycline is probably the best since it seems most effective in preventing dogs from becoming silent carriers of the disease organism in their kidneys after recovery.
I'll come back with more about treatment tomorrow.
Tony
Because urine is the most common spreader of leptospirosis, it is very important that you take hygienic steps not to expose yourself to your pet’s urine. Because recovered pets can shed lepto in their urine for months, you need to continue to observe strict hygiene even after your pet has recovered (assuming he does recover).
In brief, here are some of the pieces of advice recommended via 2ndChance website:
"Here are some things you should do to minimize your risk: Have only one, healthy, family member care for the dog. Confine your pet to an easily-sanitized area of your house. Prevent exposure of other pets. Wear protective latex gloves whenever cleaning up after your dog. 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. When you are potentially exposed to any secretions or waste from your pet, disinfect your hands liberally with an iodine-based disinfectant. Doing these things will considerably lower your risk but not eliminate it entirely. Should you feel ill, you need to inform your physician about your ill pet."
The good news is that many antibiotics will successfully kill the Lepto. Doxycycline is probably the best since it seems most effective in preventing dogs from becoming silent carriers of the disease organism in their kidneys after recovery.
I'll come back with more about treatment tomorrow.
Tony
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