Small intestinal intussusception in five dogs with acute renal failure and suspected leptospirosis (L. australis)

J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2009 Aug;19(4):363-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-4431.2009.00432.x. Epub 2009 Jul 22.

Abstract

Objectives: This case series describes 5 dogs with small intestinal intussusception and acute kidney injury due to infection with Leptospira interrogans serovar Australis.

Case series summary: Small intestinal intussusception was observed in 4 dogs diagnosed with acute kidney injury due to leptospirosis presented between 1997 and 2005. Intussusception was diagnosed at initial presentation or later during hospitalization. An additional dog fulfilling our inclusion criteria was presented to a small animal specialty clinic nearby and was included. Upon admission, all dogs were severely azotemic and thrombocytopenic. All 5 dogs showed the strongest microscopic agglutination test serology reaction to L. interrogans serovar Australis. Two dogs survived with no apparent residual renal damage, 1 survived with subsequent mild chronic kidney disease, and 2 dogs were euthanized at the owners' request due to a guarded prognosis.

New or unique information provided: Intussusception can occur or may be seen in dogs with leptospirosis due to L. interrogans serovar Australis and patients should be monitored closely for this potential complication. As all 5 dogs described in this case series showed the highest titer for L. interrogans serovar Australis, these precautions may be especially applied in geographic areas where this particular serovar is seen.

Keywords: gastrointestinal motility disorder; kidney.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / complications
  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnosis
  • Acute Kidney Injury / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dog Diseases / microbiology
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Ileal Diseases / complications
  • Ileal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Ileal Diseases / veterinary
  • Intussusception / complications
  • Intussusception / diagnosis
  • Intussusception / veterinary
  • Leptospira interrogans / isolation & purification*
  • Leptospirosis / complications
  • Leptospirosis / diagnosis
  • Leptospirosis / veterinary*
  • Male