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More Information from Go Pets America
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, E.coli Food Poisoning
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a a rarely described disorder in dogs. It is a disease of nonimmune hemolytic anemia, low platelet count, and kidney failure. Anemia is severe. HUS syndrome is similar to the hemolytic uremic syndrome of people. In humans, the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is known to have several causes, including infectious diseases, drugs, pregnancy, and malignant disease. Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a life-threatening disease and the most common cause of acute kidney failure in infants and children.
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Caused by E.coli Toxins
The disease is marked by an acute onset of lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, seizures, and bloody diarrhea, followed by acute kidney failure. The clinical signs are often similar to that of typical or diarrhea-associated HUS (D+ HUS) in humans (mainly children), which is caused by gastrointestinal spread of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli bacteria. Bacterial toxins can be adsorbed and cause intestinal injury, blood clot formation, with lesions confined primarily to the kidneys.
Both dogs and people can be infected by consuming undercooked or raw meat infected by E. coli bacteria. E.coli comes in four classes and hundreds of strains. It resides in the intestines of cattle. The most serious form, E.coli 0157:H7, causes bloody diarrhea in susceptible humans and dogs. In severe cases, the bacterial toxins can destroy red blood cells and even the kidneys.
It can be difficult to tell if your dog has been infected by E. coli since the testing can be complicated and expensive. Non-pathogenic (disease-causing) strains of E.coli bacteria live helpfully in the intestine, but pathogenic forms can invade the membranes lining the intestine and cause serious problems. Cooking food kills most of the E.coli, but unfortunately, this bacteria produces toxins that are very heat resistant.
The disease in greyhounds appears to be the best model for human disease. Veterinarians have found a striking similarity between the changes in the kidneys of the infected greyhounds and of humans with HUS. In dogs, because the blood supply to the skin is also affected, the disease usually starts with ulcers on the skin. Like, humans, some of the dogs have kidney failure due to blockage of the blood supply to parts of kidneys. Humans don't get the skin form, but when the disease advances to the kidney failure both in humans and dogs, the disease is almost identical.
The problem with E.coli infection is that there is no cure or therapy. The toxins produced by the bacteria attack the walls of the blood vessels. Only diarrhea and dehydration can be treated. Despite supportive therapy (intravenous fluids, transfusions, and dialysis) the dog's condition often worsens.
Adapted from:
1. Hemolytic-uremic syndrome in a dog. Dell'Orco M, Bertazzolo W, Pagliaro L, Roccabianca P, Comazzi S. In: Vet Clin Pathol. 2005 Sep;34(3):264-9.
2. Epidemiological role of pets in urban transmission cycle of STEC. Bentancor A. In: Medicina. 2006; 66 Suppl 3:37-41.
3. Hemolytic uremic syndrome due to Capnocytophaga canimorsus bacteremia after a dog bite. Tobé TJ, Franssen CF, Zijlstra JG, de Jong PE, Stegeman CA. In: Am J Kidney Dis. 1999 Jun;33(6):e5
4. Feeding Your Dog For Life: The Real Facts about Proper Nutrition. Diane Morgan
5. The Sunshine State Almanac and Book of Florida-Related Stuff. Phil Philcox, Beverly Boe
Go Pets America recommends seeking the advice of your local veterinarian for the most appropriate vaccination program and for the diagnosis and treatment of your pet's health problems. For vaccination requirements please contact your state and local licensing authorities.
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