Diagnosis and treatment of canine leptospirosis due to serovar Bataviae—a case report

Infection of Leptospira interrogans var. Bataviae in a properly vaccinated German shepherd dog and its successful clinical management are described. The dog was presented with a history of anorexia, vomiting, oliguria, melena, lethargy, and weakness. The animal had a proper history of yearly vaccination with the multicomponent vaccine. Hematology revealed leucocytosis, thrombocytopenia, granulocytosis, and anemia. Serum biochemical analysis showed elevated BUN, creatinine, ALP, total bilirubin, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, and lower A:G ratio. Based upon the clinical signs and blood-biochemical changes, the case was tentatively diagnosed as leptospirosis. Confirmation was done by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) along with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The dog was treated with benzylpenicillin at a dose rate of 40,000 units/kg body weight intravenously twice a day along with proton pump inhibitors, fluids, electrolytes, and vitamin supplements for 5 days. The animal made a considerable improvement in condition after 5 days of treatment. To prevent persistent renal shedding of Leptospira organism, the animal was treated with doxycycline orally for 14 days. The animal made a complete recovery after 3 weeks of care. This case reports the emergence of a new Leptospira serovar in dogs of Kerala characterized by hepatic, renal, and hemorrhagic clinical manifestations. This case points towards the need for a seroprevalence study of leptospirosis in canines followed by incorporation of emerging serovars into the vaccination regime.