Page 32 - AutumnWinterNL22

Vet’s Corner
Blood and Urine tests required in Galgos

Canine diseases endemic across the Mediterranean include
protozoan diseases (Leishmania and Babesiosis), Ehrlichiosis and
heartworm. These diseases can be difficult to diagnose and should
be considered in Galgos bought into the UK should the clinical signs
prompt you or your veterinarian to do so.

A veterinary general practice can carry out routine blood tests
which provides information on whether the patient is suffering
from anaemia, infection/inflammation, or indications of kidney and
liver disease. Urine samples are useful if blood tests reveal kidney
problems as it provides important information related to the extent
of renal damage. While these tests can be vital for narrowing down
the cause of the illness, they are non-specific, revealing the impact
of disease instead of offering a definitive diagnosis. For this
reason, further testing is required.

Leishmania

One method is by serological testing which detects Leishmania
specific antibodies in the blood. Serology results showing high
antibody levels from a dog with clinical signs is diagnostic.
Unfortunately, since it can take up to 22 months for dogs to
produce these antibodies, Leishmaniosis cannot be ruled out in a
dog that is clinically well with low antibody levels. In this scenario
it is wise to repeat serology annually to monitor antibody levels or
to carry out tests which detects leishmania specific DNA, known as
a PCR test. Samples from the bone marrow, lymph nodes, skin,
blood, or joint fluid can be used for a leishmania PCR.

Babesiosis

Babesia species target red blood cells and platelets in the body.
As a result, general blood and urine tests would indicate anaemia
and red coloured urine. A blood smear can be made by spreading a
very fine layer of blood on a glass slide to be analysed under a
microscope. But since the babesia species are very small this can be
incredibly challenging. Thankfully a PCR test for babesia also exists
which allows direct identification of the babesia species from a
blood sample.

32