Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Kidney damage patterns in dogs with leptospirosis versus other causes
By Zamagni, S et al.·Published in Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)·2020·Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Comparison of clinicopathological patterns of renal tubular damage in dogs with acute kidney injury caused by leptospirosis and other aetiologies.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by leptospirosis showed higher levels of certain substances in their urine compared to dogs with kidney injury from other causes. Specifically, these dogs had more glucose in their urine and lost more potassium. This information can help veterinarians identify kidney issues related to leptospirosis more effectively. Treatment for leptospirosis typically involves supportive care, including fluids and medications, and many dogs can recover with prompt veterinary attention.
People also search for: dog kidney injury symptoms · leptospirosis treatment in dogs · dog urine glucose levels
Abstract
In humans, leptospiral acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterised by tubulointerstitial involvement and renal electrolyte losses, impacting clinical presentation and case management. The aim of this study was to evaluate urine chemistry findings in dogs with leptospirosis in order to identify characteristic patterns of tubular damage associated with this disease. Dogs with intrinsic AKI caused by leptospirosis and by other aetiologies were prospectively enrolled. Clinical and clinicopathological variables, including serum and urine chemistry, fractional excretion (FE%) of electrolytes, and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), were evaluated in both groups and compared statistically. Dogs with leptospirosis (n = 38) had significantly higher serum creatinine concentration than dogs with AKI caused by other aetiologies (n = 37). Serum potassium and glucose concentrations were comparable between groups. Dogs with leptospiral AKI had significantly higher FE of potassium (median 100%, range 20-480 vs. median 68%, range 5-300; P = 0.048), as well as higher magnitude of glucosuria (urine glucose to creatinine ratio, median 0.64, range 0-26 vs. median 0.22, range 0-13; P =  0.023) and frequency of positive glucose dipstick reaction (59% vs. 18%; P =  0.002), than dogs with AKI of other aetiologies. Additional markers of tubular damage considered in this study, including FE of other electrolytes and urinary NGAL, did not differ between groups. In conclusion, when compared to other aetiologies of intrinsic AKI, canine leptospirosis was characterised by increased glucosuria and kaliuresis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33323170/