Infectious Diseases - Dogs Flashcards
What is parvovirus?
A virus causing severe haemorrhagic vomiting and/or diarrhoea with leukopenia
How is canine parvovirus transmitted?
Faeco-oral spread - large quantities shed in diarrhoea
How can parvovirus particles be inactivated?
Formalin and hypochlorite disinfectants (bleach-based)
What is the pathogenesis of canine parvovirus?
Infects rapidly dividing tissue (neonatal myocardium, intestinal crypts, bone marrow) and causes ulcerations
What are the clinical signs of canine parvovirus?
Intestinal - haemorrhagic diarrhoea +/- vomiting - depressed, anorexic, abdominal pain
Bone marrow - neutropenia
Risk of sepsis - pyrexia, CVS compromise
How is canine parvovirus diagnosed?
Clinical suspicions should lead to faecal parvovirus antigen ELISA test
May be anaemic/hypoproteinaemic
Electrolyte imbalances
Post-mortem (various tissues)
What is the treatment for canine parvovirus?
Aggressive fluid therapy - IV crystalloids
Monitor electrolytes and glucose
NG tube trickle feeding (once vomiting controlled)
Anti-emetics (Maropitant, metoclopramide)
Antibiotics (amoxicillin clavulanate IV)
What nursing considerations should be made when caring for a parvovirus puppy?
Dedicated nurse/nurse last
Ensure comfortable (reduce diarrhoea/salivation scalds)
Ensure warm and euhydrated/euvolaemic
Notify if pyrexic/hypothermic
Early nutrition essential to recovery
How can canine parvovirus infection be prevented?
Vaccination
Recovery from natural infection gives life-long protection (not ideal)
Can cats get parvovirus?
Yes - feline panleukopenia, feline infectious enteritis
Closely related to canine PV
What is the typical presentation of a dog with leptospirosis?
Acute or chronic hepatic and/or renal insult
Is leptospirosis zoonotic?
Yes
How is leptospirosis transmitted?
Environmental contamination with infected urine - cannot replicate outside host
Infection when contaminated urine contacts mucous membranes/compromised skin
What are the 2 phases of pathogenesis involving leptospirosis?
Replicates within the bloodstream (leptospiraemia)
Renal infection and shedding in urine (leptospiruria)
What is the incubation period for leptospirosis?
Approx 1 week - varies between animals
What is the clinical presentation of leptospirosis infection?
Typically acute
Hepatic injury +/- jaundice
Renal injury +/- failure
Lethargy, pyrexia, inappetence, vomiting, diarrhoea
Signs related to affected organ system(s)
What might you find upon examination of a dog with leptospirosis?
Dog is lethargic, dull, frequently pyrexic
+/- jaundice, petechial haemorrhages, mild generalised lymphadenomegaly
What laboratory findings might be seen with leptospirosis infection?
Varies considerably between patients
Thrombocytopenia common
Raised liver enzymes (hepatic injury)
Azotemia (renal injury) - anuria/polyuria possible, monitor UOP
How is leptospirosis diagnosed?
Demonstration of serologic conversion (antibodies in blood)
Organism identification via PCR
How is leptospirosis treated?
If suspected, start treating BEFORE confirmed diagnosis
Doxycycline (2 weeks)
Amoxicillin clavulanate
Supportive treatment for affected organs
What is the prognosis for leptospirosis infection?
> 50% full recovery
Others turn into chronic disease which is ultimately fatal despite treatment
What nursing care considerations should you take with leptospirosis?
Careful hygiene, barrier nursing
Disinfect appropriately (chlorine/phenol based)
Appropriate cage signage
Designated urination area - roughly monitor UOP (do not handle - zoonotic)
Consider location of phlebotomy if thrombocytopenic
What considerations should be taken to avoid zoonotic infections of leptospirosis?
Avoid contact with bodily fluids (urine and blood esp)
What is canine distemper virus?
Virus causing multi-systemic disease, including respiratory, GI, neurological and dermatological disease
What type of virus is canine distemper virus?
Enveloped RNA morbillivirus
How is canine distemper virus inactivated?
Rapidly via heat, drying, disinfectants
Survives <1 day in environment
What is the pathogenesis of canine distemper?
Replicates in tonsils/lymphoid tissues of upper respiratory tract
Invades and travels in monocytes and disseminates to entire reticuloendothelial system
How is canine distemper transmitted?
Transmitted via oro-nasal secretions - direct contact or large-particle aerosol
What is the clinical presentation of acute canine distemper infection?
Highly variable - can be sub-clinical or rapidly progressive and fatal
Pyrexia, lethargy, vomiting +/- diarrhoea
Cough, naso-ocular discharge
Neurological signs
Secondary infections common