Barney is getting tested for Leptospirosis!

[Nancy1999]

So glad to hear the news, do you believe this warrants getting the vaccine in your area? I'm so impressed with your ability to care for your dogs and find out what's going on with them.

[linda-narkowski]

I have spoken with my vet just recently about this and he said that Leptospirosis is on the rise and has always been a problem, especially in wet areas.

When giving the lepto vaccine it should be fine as long as you do not give it with any other vaccinations.

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Barney's results are in.

First, the good news -- his urine culture was negative.
Now the mixed good and bad news on leptospirosis.

The test covers 6 serovars (strains) of leptospirosis.
Two of the 6 strains are not seen commonly in our area and he was negative for those strains.
Of the remaining 4 strains, Barney was negative for 3 (Grippotyphosa, Pomona, and Ictero-haemorrhagiae)

Barney was positive for one strain of leptospirosis called Canicola.

The interpretation: Barney's test result indicates prior exposure or early infection and not acute leptospirosis. It is more likely that at some point, Barney had an exposure, given the prevalence in our area. Another cause of a positive result can be the vaccine itself where elevations can show for a long time. This is ruled out in Barney, however, since he last had the vaccine about 5 years ago.

Conclusion: Barney has a past exposure to leptospirosis. It is not thought to be an active infection, but we cannot be sure. The PLAN: Treat Barney with two weeks of doxycycline (antibiotics).

The vaccine would have covered Barney for Canicola, but he did not have the vaccine, and has not had it in many years. I was able to ask more questions of the specialist about lepto. In our area, dogs primarily are showing up with Canicola and Grippotyphosa. The dogs being seen in acute renal failure found to have leptospirosis are primarily suburban dogs who have not had the vaccine. The doctor noted 2 cases of lepto he saw in dogs that spent most of their lives indoors and had a very very low risk of exposure.

The good news in all of this is that Barney will be treated and I think I have managed to avert a big problem or possible grave illness by pursuing an ultrasound and consult this early when I did not like that one enzyme elevation that was persisting.

Thank you for everyone's wishes and prayers, the waiting is torture and the news not as great as I had hoped but certainly not a death sentence.

I am so happy that Barney is going to be ok..

[107barney]

Barney started his doxycyline last night. I was nervous about side effects but he seems to be doing just fine. He seemed a little tired last night after the medication.

My vet called me after receiving the info from the specialist, but I missed the call so I emailed her.

Meanwhile, the lepto strain Barney is infected with is one carried by skunks!!!

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Barney started his doxycyline last night. I was nervous about side effects but he seems to be doing just fine. He seemed a little tired last night after the medication.

My vet called me after receiving the info from the specialist, but I missed the call so I emailed her.

Meanwhile, the lepto strain Barney is infected with is one carried by skunks!!!

Eeeek!! I have lots of those in the area I live in.

[107barney]

Well Barney is on his meds and doing fine.

But............ I emailed my vet to update her on all this, and she wrote back saying she was (1) not a fan of the vaccine for lepto and (2) that she does see more reactions with it and (3) she only gives it when absolutely necessary.

I am not sure if Barney's test was positive because of prior vaccination. He was vaccinated for lepto around 5 or 6 years ago, but had it annually before that. The weird thing is that the 5 strains were negative and the 1 strain positive, and also the liver and kidney elevations and findings on the ultrasound. So, all that (elevations and ultrasound) could be completely coincental, or they could be exposure/infection. I think treating with the antibiotic was a good idea, just in case, but going forward, what do I do

My vet will confer w/ the specialist and after they battle it out, I'll see what they say. I just don't think my tiny backyard is a mecca for leptospirosis, but we have had those visiting skunks so I don't know.

[Maximo]

I am very happy to hear Barney is doing well. Thank you for sharing this info.

I am leaning toward not having the vaccine given to my boys. The thought of Lepto scares me because we have plenty of animals in our area, where we walk, that are potential carriers. However, so many sources I read say the vaccine needs to be given every 6 - 8 months to be effective. I am wrestling with all of the details and plan to discuss the vaccine again with our vet.

[miabellaamoure]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Well Barney is on his meds and doing fine.

But............ I emailed my vet to update her on all this, and she wrote back saying she was (1) not a fan of the vaccine for lepto and (2) that she does see more reactions with it and (3) she only gives it when absolutely necessary.

I am not sure if Barney's test was positive because of prior vaccination. He was vaccinated for lepto around 5 or 6 years ago, but had it annually before that. The weird thing is that the 5 strains were negative and the 1 strain positive, and also the liver and kidney elevations and findings on the ultrasound. So, all that (elevations and ultrasound) could be completely coincental, or they could be exposure/infection. I think treating with the antibiotic was a good idea, just in case, but going forward, what do I do

My vet will confer w/ the specialist and after they battle it out, I'll see what they say. I just don't think my tiny backyard is a mecca for leptospirosis, but we have had those visiting skunks so I don't know.

God, don't ya just love it when they leave ya with enough room for doubt!

Well, I'm glad at least to hear that BarneyBoy will beat this bugger!

[Mom to Hot Rod]

I am glad that Barney is on the mending side of things. I wish there was a more definitive course of action but I guess caution is the best that the vets can do. Hope they can give you some clear cut remedies.

[Doodlebug]

I'm so glad to hear that Barney will be OK.

My vet went from adamently not recommending the lepto vaccine, to recommending it. She said lepto is now pretty prevalent in our area and it is worth the risk to get the vaccine to be protected. Man, you just don't know what to do.

[143julz]

Glad Barney is going to ok!!

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

I'm so glad to hear that Barney will be OK.

My vet went from adamently not recommending the lepto vaccine, to recommending it. She said lepto is now pretty prevalent in our area and it is worth the risk to get the vaccine to be protected. Man, you just don't know what to do.

No kidding! It's very scary to me because Barney goes outside very little and when he does it is in my small yard or for walks on city streets. It's not like he is drinking out of a slow moving stream or hunting. He is an urban dog!

[linda44]

Cathy, I lost track of this thread, Im so glad that Barney is better. I bet you are so relieved.

[BowBizDogBows]

Cathy, I just saw this thread today and read through the entire thing. Wow, you've been through a lot in the last few weeks! I admire how you researched, persisted, asked questions, got to the bottom of things (as best you could with some of the ambiguous answers you got)... and most of all, I'm glad that Barney is now doing okay!

[yorkieusa]

I'm so happy to hear Barney is still doing well.