Intense Intervention Saves Pablo's Life From Leptospirosis

Pablo was referred to Linnaeus-owned Cave Veterinary Specialists, near Wellington in Somerset, with non-specific symptoms of anorexia and vomiting. 

His primary care vet had noted significant changes to his kidney markers and suspected he had leptospirosis, an infection which can make dogs seriously ill and also be passed on to humans as Weil’s disease.

Investigations at Cave confirmed this diagnosis and after 10 days of intensive hospital treatment under the care of internal medicine specialist Adam Swallow, he was well enough to go home. 

Adam said: “Prompt action by Pablo’s owners, and the local vet practice, greatly increased his chance of survival and while he required intense treatment at Cave, happily he did improve.

“While Pablo remained in our care, he was nursed using personal protective equipment to protect all carers from this zoonotic bacterial infection.

“Treatment included maintaining Pablo on intravenous fluid therapy, to support his hydration with close monitoring of his fluid outputs to ensure a safe fluid balance was maintained. 

“His urine output soon increased and kidney markers decreased significantly, indicative of a positive response to treatment.”

Leptospirosis is carried by rats so areas where there is standing water, such as farmland, stables and ponds in the park, are all high-risk.

Pablo’s owner Kate Battersby, who lives in St Austell in Cornwall and who has owned Pablo since he was a puppy, said: “Everyone at Cave was amazing and they saved Pablo’s life. He’s made a full recovery, swimming, running, walking and playing with his ball. ”

Cave offers comprehensive, specialist-led services in anaesthesia, cardiology, dermatology, internal medicine, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology, orthopaedic surgery and soft tissue surgery.

For more information on Cave Veterinary Specialists, visit https://cave-vet-specialists.co.uk or search for Cave Veterinary Specialists on social media.