Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Leptospirosis in Four Owned Dogs from Sri Lanka

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance. This clinical communication reports the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of leptospirosis in four owned dogs presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Peradeniya, within a period of four months. Clinical signs included anorexia, lethargy, and depression, with abdominal and lumbar pain on palpation. Only one dog had been properly vaccinated and dewormed. Common haematological and laboratory findings included anaemia, thrombocytopenia and elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Diagnosis was confirmed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) in two dogs and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the flaB gene in the other two. Initial therapy consisted of fluid administration and antibiotics. Despite treatments, three dogs died within two to seven days, while one dog survived.