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Name
Leptospirosis, Canine and Feline
Short Description
Leptospira interrogans, Leptospirosis
Affected Animals: Dogs, cats, humans, and all other animals can
become infected with different types, or serovars, of Leptospira.
Overview: A contagious bacterial disease of animals that
can be passed on to humans, leptospirosis affects the kidneys and
the liver, causing damage that can lead to organ failure and death.
Typically, rodents and wild animals are carriers of the disease.
Infection occurs most commonly when the mucous membrane or abraded
skin of an animal or human comes into contact with urine containing
the infective leptospire bacteria.
Once infected, the organism begins to replicate in various tissues
and causes significant infection in the liver and kidneys, with
clinical signs developing within a week of exposure. Cats tend not
to be significantly affected by leptospirosis. Dogs, however, can
develop serious clinical disease, although not all canines with
leptospirosis will show clinical signs of infection. In fact, many
animals that have this disease will be asymptomatic or will have
chronic or mild symptoms.
Animals can transmit leptospirosis to their owners. People who
suspect that they have been exposed to infection should consult a
physician.
Clinical Signs: Clinical signs include anorexia, muscle soreness,
depression, tachypnea, vomiting, fever, anemia, pale mucus
membranes, dehydration, weakness, diarrhea, stiffness, tachycardia,
epistaxis, petechiae, melena, coughing, dyspnea, polyuria and
polydipsia becoming anuric, weight loss, ascites, and signs of
hepatic encephalopathy due to liver damage.
Symptoms: Clinical signs may include loss of appetite,
depression, increased respiratory rate, sore muscles, vomiting,
fever, anemia, pale mucous membranes, dehydration, difficulty
breathing, weakness, diarrhea, dark and tarry stools, increased
drinking and urinating, jaundice from liver disease, bleeding from
the nose, kidney failure, and death.
Description: Leptospires are tiny, moving spiral bacteria
called spirochetes that are found worldwide. Different types of
Leptospira can cause disease in animals and humans. Dogs tend to
develop leptospirosis from L. australis, L. autumnalis, L.ballum, L.
bratislava, L. braviae, L. canicola, L. grippotyphosa, L. harjo, L.
icterohaemorrhagiae, L. pomona, and L. tarassovi forms of the
bacteria. L. canicola, L. grippotyphosa, L.pomona, and L.bratislava
can infect cats. Infections appear to be more common in warm and
moist climates, in standing water that is neutral to slightly
alkaline pH, and in areas where animals are closely housed, such as
kennels and urban settings. In addition, exposure to wildlife and
rodents that can carry the bacteria is a significant risk factor.
Diagnosis: If leptospirosis is present, a complete blood
count, or CBC, may show evidence of dehydration, anemia, low
platelet numbers, and increased or decreased numbers of white blood
cells. A chemistry panel will detect evidence of kidney failure or
liver disease. In addition, specific diagnostic tests are available
that will detect exposure to Leptospira, such as a test that will
examine a blood sample for antibodies to the disease. Before
antibiotic drugs are given, the organism can be cultured from urine,
blood, kidney or liver tissues.
Prognosis: For animals that have acute, severe disease, the
prognosis is guarded. Most animals, however, have subclinical or
asymptomatic disease, or chronic disease. These animals have a fair
to good prognosis.
Transmission or Cause: Leptospires are passed in the urine of infected
animals. Infection occurs when the organism in the infected urine
penetrates abraded skin or the mucous membranes. In addition, the
ingesting of urine in contaminated food, water, or soil can transmit
leptospirosis. Transmission also has been known to occur through a
bite wound, through the placenta to an unborn animal, and through
venereal contact.
Treatment: Life-threatening complications of leptospirosis
should be addressed immediately. Because this organism typically
affects the kidneys, the use of intravenous fluid therapy is
essential. The use of intravenous antibiotics, such as penicillin
and dihydrostreptomycin, is needed during the initial treatment
phase. Oral antibiotics are prescribed after the animal has begun to
recover. Precautions and proper hygiene should be instituted in
order to prevent human infection.
Prevention: A vaccine is available that provides protection
to the more common types of Leptospira bacteria. Dogs in areas of
risk should receive three vaccines, given three to four weeks apart;
from that time on, they should receive vaccines on a yearly basis.
Other prevention steps include keeping rodents away from the
animal's environment, since rodents often are carriers of the
bacteria. In addition, animals should be kept away from areas in
which the bacteria thrive, such as stagnant water, marshes, ponds,
and muddy areas. Humans should avoid contact with the urine of
animals.
