Efficacy of Homoeopathic Treatment in Canine Leptospirosis: A Case Study

Introduction

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by aerobic Gram- negative, (spirochete). In dogs, the clinical signs of leptospirosis are most commonly attributed to infection with the serovars Ictero haemorrhagiae, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Pomona and Bratislava. Besides diminutive or no cross- immunity between Leptospira serovars (and no vaccination protocol, at present provided protection against these new serovars. Leptospires are spread by maintenance hosts that don’t more often do not show clinical signs. They carry the bacteria primarily within the proximal renal tubules and shed them in the urine for a few months or all through life, driving to the direct or roundabout infection of other creatures and human beings. The survival of Leptospires within the environment is variable, depending on the nearness of water, soil, warm and dampness. Stagnant water gives a reasonable living space in which Leptospires

can stay infectious for more than six months. 1In a few geographic districts, infection happen in dogs that are exposed to or drink from waterways, lakes, or streams, or dogs meandering on provincial properties. In others, rural terrace mutts may be exposed after contact with urbanized wild creature in developing countries, access to sewage increments chance of the infection in dogs. Contact with rodents moreover may pose a hazard to these dogs, as well as dogs dwelling within cities. The incubation period for leptospirosis may be a few days, the organisms circulate rapidly inside the blood as early as 1 day after contamination and replicate in many days in tissues. Shorter incubation periods can happen with large inoculate, and longer incubation periods may happen after low-grade, persistent contaminations of the renal tubules or hepatocytes, with clinical sickness not being recognized until a few time after renal or hepatic injury [1].

Fever occurs early in the course of illness, and may be accompanied by shivering, generalized muscle tenderness, and reluctance to move. Dogs presenting with acute renal failure may show polyuria, polydipsia, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhoea, in appetence, lethargy, or abdominal pain or some combination of these signs. Oliguria or anuria also may occur. Dogs may present with signs of hepatic failure, including icterus. Other reported manifestations of infection include conjunctivitis, uveitis, and tachypnea or dyspnoea because of acute respiratory distress syndrome or Leptospira pulmonary haemorrhage syndrome (LPHS) Changes suggestive of pancreatitis have been detected in some dogs by abdominal ultrasonography. Haematuria can occur after natural and experimental infection. Bleeding tendencies also may be manifested as hematemesis, haematochezia, haemoptysis, melena, epistaxis, and petechial haemorrhages. Renal tubular infection by Leptospires is associated with acute interstitial nephritis and tubular dysfunction, although acute tubular necrosis can occur in naturally infected dogs. Findings on CBC may include neutrophilia, sometimes with a left shift, lymphopenia, and mild to moderate, non-regenerative anaemia. Thrombocytopenia is present in up to 58% of affected dogs, and when accompanied by evidence of acute kidney damage with or without hepatic injury, can help increase suspicion for a diagnosis of leptospirosis [2]. Increased serum urea and creatinine concentrations may be present in >80–90% of dogs, a combination of azotaemia and increased liver enzyme activities should markedly increase suspicion for leptospirosis. Electrolyte abnormalities may be a consequence of gastrointestinal or renal fluid losses.

Hyponatremia, hypochloridemia, marked hypokalaemia, and hyperphosphatemia occur in many cases, Antibody detection is the most widely used method for diagnosing leptospirosis, and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) is the most commonly used serological test in veterinary medicine. This test provides an estimate of the antibody titre against Leptospires present in the serum of the dog. The treatment of leptospirosis consists of both supportive and specific therapy. Antimicrobial therapy is directed initially at clearing the leptospiraemic phase, and subsequently at clearing the leptospiruric phase. High doses of penicillin, ampicillin and amoxicillin can clear the leptospiraemic phase. The treatment should be started as early as possible and preferably before the 5th day after the onset of clinical signs. Early treatment inhibits multiplication of the bacteria and reduces the damage to organs such as the liver and kidney. Doxycycline is also effective at clearing leptospiraemic. To eliminate Leptospira organisms from the Fluid therapy is one of the first considerations for the treatment of acute renal failure caused by leptospirosis. The urine output should be assessed and, if necessary, diuretics such as furosemide or mannitol can be administered. Once hydration is restored, metabolic acidosis should be treated if the blood pH remains below 7·2 or the serum bicarbonate concentration is less than 16 mmol/l renal tubules, tetracycline’s, amino glycosides or macrolides are recommended [3].

Conclusion

Leptospirosis is one of the most common diseases in dogs which is spread through contact with infected faces, urine or soil. The most common indicator for leptospirosis in dogs symptomatically is lethargy, dehydration, loss of appetite, vomiting, oliguria along with high creatinine levels and positive MAT test. Homeopathy has seen to be highly effective as prophylaxis and cure for leptospirosis amongst humans in various studies. 10 with the following case it has been not only established that homeopathy is effective in leptospirosis with acute kidney injury but it has been proven to be effective in animals. Multiple studies and reviews have time and again proved that homeopathy is highly effective in veterinary practices and the cure witnessed is not by chance but due to the specialised skill of the practitioner. In the given case the guidelines for treatment of dog is done according to the standardised guidelines established by academy of veterinary homeopathy namely Utilizing of conventional medical practices to assess patients before starting a homeopathic treatment plan. A study of the patient’s medical records that are readily available, a physical examination (either in-person, via telemedicine, or by a consulting veterinarian), laboratory testing, and medical imaging treatments are a few examples of these. A key component of homeopathic prescribing is identifying the patient’s objective symptoms. This is achieved by getting a complete history at the onset of a case and by closely monitoring the patient while they are receiving treatment. Medication should only be chosen and given to patients if it is homeopathic for their condition. The selection of the homeopathic remedy is dependent upon the patient’s symptoms and presentation, as well as knowledge about the medications (such as from a Materia Medica). Homoeopathically prepared medicines should only be used if their pure action (primary effect) in the healthy body has been determined by careful study [11].

Homeopathic medicines should preferably be given by mouth. The potency scale (e.g. centesimal versus LM) should be selected according to the patient’s vitality and responsiveness, the intensity of the disease signs and any threat posed by a possible aggravation. Homeopathic medicines should be allowed to act without interference, avoiding repetition of the medicine prior to evaluating the response. Early repetition may cause excessive or violent reaction in the patient. There are exceptions, including acute crises, in which an accelerated response may be needed. Patient evaluation is to be based on a careful elucidation of the signs on the physical, emotional and mental levels. Physical and ancillary examinations may be used, together with the client’s and veterinarian’s observations [12].

Author consent

I Dr. Shimmal Chenthik J.P, certified that I have participated sufficiently in the conception and design of this work and the analysis of data (wherever applicable), as well as writing of this manuscript, to take public responsibility for it. I believe the manuscript represents valid work. I have reviewed final version of the manuscript and approve it for publication. Neither has the manuscript nor one with substantially similar content under my authorship been published nor is being considered for publication elsewhere, except as described in an attachment. Furthermore, I attest that I shall produce the data upon which the manuscript is based for examination by the editors or their assignees, if required.