EXPRESS: Clinical Leptospirosis in a cat presenting with severe hypokalaemia and glucosuria

Abstract

A 1.5-year-old female speyed Domestic Medium Hair presented for lethargy, inappetence, weight loss, polyuria, polydipsia, and severe generalised muscle weakness with cervical ventroflexion. It was noted to be severely hypokalaemic and had severe glucosuria without significant hyperglycaemia. PCR and serological tests suggested a diagnosis of leptospirosis serovar pomona. The cat was treated with doxycycline, potassium supplementation and spironolactone following which the hypokalaemia improved and glucosuria resolved when assessed 2 weeks later. Cats are generally considered to be resistant to clinical infection with leptospirosis and reports of clinical disease are rare. To the author’s knowledge, there have been no reports of hypokalaemia or severe glucosuria in clinically affected cats. Additionally, this report highlights the importance of considering leptospirosis as a differential diagnosis in cats that are exposed to various risk factors reported for this disease.