6 - Specific and Miscellaneous Infective Diseases

Leptospirosis

Which bacterial disease is a zoonotic, motile, filamentous, spirochete with many different serovars? In dogs the liver and kidneys have the highest infection levels, along with the presence of vasculitis. Pulmonary hemorrhage syndrome is the most serious complication with this infection due to vasculitis in the lungs and fluid therapy both combining to push fluid into the lungs. Exposure to rodents is the most important method of spreading the disease. AKI and CKD are commonly seen in these patients, along with fever, PU/PD, and thrombocytopenia. Treatment is with fluid therapy and O2 if needed, along with hemodialysis if available.

Ampicillin, Doxycycline

What two antibiotics are both given to Leptospirosis patients, one IV and one oral immediately upon suspected infection? Housemates should also receive treatment.

PCR

What diagnostic test should be done to diagnose Leptospirosis within the first 0-7 days of infection due to the presence of bacteremia? Administering antibiotics would produce a false negative result.

MAT

Which diagnostic test should be done for Leptospirosis after the first 7-14 days of infection have passed? Vaccination can produce a false positive result.

Below

Is a Leptospirosis vaccination likely to produce an antibody result above or below 1 in 400?

Above

Will an unvaccinated dog infected with Leptospirosis produce an antibody result above or below 1 in 800?

Mycoplasma

What bacterial genus is a group of wall-less bacteria which are obligate intracellular organisms, and are more common in Grenada than Anaplasma? Clinical signs of this infection can include anemia, tachypnea, pale MM, and decreased weight. Cats can have acute or chronic infections with variable signs, usually more pronounced in younger animals. Dogs may or may not have clinical signs but are more likely to do so if they are immunosuppressed.

Doxycycline

What antibiotic is given to dogs with Mycoplasma infection?

Marbofloxacin

What antibiotic, or pradofloxacin, should be given to cats infected with Mycoplasma?

Prednisone

What drug should be given to both cats and dogs infected with Mycoplasma if IMHA develops?

T. gondii

What species is the causative agent of Toxoplasmosis, which is a coccidia affecting all warm blooded animals? Felids are the definitive hosts and cats develop self limiting small bowel diarrhea and neurological signs, while dogs develop pulmonary or GI signs, along with neurological or musculoskeletal signs, which can be worse in older animals. Diagnosis is with a CBC and Chem, upon finding non-regenerative anemia and decreased albumin, or with serology.

Clindamycin

What antibiotic is given to treat T. gondii infection in dogs and cats?

N. caninum

Which species of apicomplexan is an infective agent of dogs, with similar musculoskeletal and neurological signs to toxoplasmosis? Dogs under 6 months old can develop permanent rigid extension of the hindlimbs while those over 6 months old can develop lower motor neuron flaccid paralysis and myositis. Diagnosis is with serology, fecal exams, or cytology. Prevention is usually with selective breeding and avoiding raw diets, as the treatment of clindamycin/sulfadiazine/pyrimethamine does not completely eliminate the infection.