Sonographic renal findings in 20 dogs with leptospirosis

Abdominal ultrasound examinations of 20 dogs with confirmed leptospirosis were reviewed retrospectively for renal abnormalities. Three dogs had a normal ultrasound examination. The remaining 17 dogs had sonographic abnormalities of the kidneys. These abnormalities, seen either alone or in combination, included renalmegaly (n = 10), pyelectasia (n = 9), increased cortical echogenicity (n = 15), perinephric effusion (n = 5), and a medullary band of increased echogenicity (n = 6). At our institution, the medullary band of increased echogenicity has only been seen in dogs with leptospirosis and may therefore be a specific sonographic sign for this disease.