Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that affects domestic dogs and many other mammals, including mice, rats, pigs, horses, opossums, raccoons, skunks, voles and cows. It also can affect people. Commonly referred to as “lepto,” this illness is caused by bacteria that are classified as “spirochetes.” These organisms are thin, coiled and motile, which means that they can wiggle around and move on their own. They are difficult to detect with conventional diagnostic methods. Although this is uncommon, dogs can die from leptospirosis, without showing any prior symptoms of disease. Some dogs become gravely ill and suffer permanent liver and/or kidney damage. More commonly, infected dogs never show signs of sickness. These animals are considered to be “carriers” of the Leptospira bacteria, and the infection is called “inapparent.” Even though they don’t become noticeably ill, carrier dogs with inapparent infections still shed the bacteria and are sources of infection for other animals. Leptospira target the kidneys and the liver of dogs – organs that are critical to survival. Although leptospirosis historically has not been a common disease in domestic dogs, it is on the rise, especially in crowded urban environments that are overrun with rats and other rodents.
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that is caused by a group of spiral-shaped bacteria collectively called Leptospira. These microorganisms, which are classified as “spirochetes,” are similar to other bacteria except that they are motile, which means that they can move around by whipping their tail-like membrane, called a “flagella.” Many different types of spirochetes exist in nature. Most of them live freely in the environment and do not disturb people or pets. However, two particular
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that tends to target the kidneys and liver of domestic dogs and, less commonly, cats. Most dogs infected with Leptospira never actually become sick. However, they still carry the bacteria inside their bodies and shed it in their urine and other bodily secretions, which makes them a source of infection for other animals. Dogs that do develop clinical signs of leptospirosis will be sore, stiff and somewhat depressed. They may
Leptospirosis is becoming increasingly common in companion animals, especially in dogs. This disease can be quite challenging to diagnose. Most dogs that are infected with the Leptospira bacteria show no noticeable signs of illness or disease. They are called “carriers” of the organism, and have an “inapparent” infection. Those dogs that do become obviously ill usually have symptoms that are very general and nonspecific, and could easily be attributed to a number of other diseases.
Leptospirosis is becoming more and more prevalent in companion animals, especially in dogs. Fortunately, this bacterial infection is treatable, and it also is curable. The subtypes (called “serovars”) of the Leptospira organism are continually mutating, which makes prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this infectious disease increasingly difficult for veterinary professionals. The goals of treating dogs with leptospirosis are to eliminate the organism from the dog’s blood stream, promote and maintain a healthy blood supply (especially