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This article is from a Brighton Animal Hospital brochure. Reprinted with permission.
What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a contagious disease of animals, including humans, caused by infection with the bacterial spirochete Leptospira. There are numerous “strains” (called serovars) of this bacteria. Approximately 200 different serovars have been identified throughout the world.
What are the signs of leptospirosis?
Many leptospiral infections have no signs at all. In severe cases, signs may include fever, jaundice, dark-colored urine, kidney failure, abortion, infertility, and death.
How is it contracted?
Infection is commonly acquired by contact of skin or mucous membranes with urine; or, to a lesser extent, by ingestion of urine-contaminated food or water. Because the organisms can survive in surface waters for extended periods, the disease is often water-borne.
Maintenance hosts (such as rats) may retain the bacteria in their kidneys and/or reproductive organs; the organisms are shed in the urine. Should a dog or cat drink this contaminated water, or swim in it, the pet may contract leptospirosis.
Which serovars are of concern to dog owners?
In this area, serovars L. canicola, L.icterohemorrhagiae, L.grippotyphosa, L.bratislava and L.pomona are thought to be of concern. Leptospiral infections are thought to be more likely due to increasing contact between dogs and rats, skunks, raccoon, or opossums which serve as maintenance hosts. Dog-to-dog transmission is thought to be rare. Data on feline leptospirosis is rare but it is thought that cats get the infection from rodents. Serovars are important because each serovar requires a separate vaccine.
How do we diagnose leptospirosis?
Diagnosis is difficult. The microagglutination test measures serum antibodies against various leptospiral serovars. For best results, two blood samples should be taken–one at the start, and a second sample taken 7 to 14 days after the first test.
It is difficult to demonstrate the actual organism under the microscope and extremely difficult to grow it in culture.
A positive titer (antibody response) must be interpreted with caution. Things which may interfere with the test result and cause false results include recent vaccination, cross-reactivity between serovars, and controversy about significance of the titer.
What should I do if my dog or cat contract leptospirosis?
Early symptoms may be similar to other disease. They may include fever, vomiting, jaundice, dark bloody urine and dehydration. If your pet becomes ill, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
Kidney failure and liver disease are treated with intravenous fluid and antibiotic therapy. Usually a penicillin-type antibiotic is given first, followed by doxycycline or tetracycline to eliminate the carrier state.
Acute leptospirosis is a serious disease and may be fatal.
Humans are at risk of contracting leptospirosis from skin contact with the urine from their pet. Humans caring for pets with leptospirosis should wear rubber gloves when handling the pet, and practice good hygiene. If a human is suspected to have an exposure to leptospirosis, he or she should contact a physician.
What about vaccination?
Currently, vaccines for the serovars canicola, icterohemorrhagiae, pomo
