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Leptospirosis - Cats and Dogs (view source)
Revision as of 14:38, 2 September 2010
, 14:38, 2 September 2010→Description
==Description==
==Description==
'''Leptospirosis''' is an important zoonosis, affecting humans as well as animals. The disease can be caused by infection with a number of different serovars of the bacteria ''Leptospira interrogans''. In general infection with a host adapted strain results in subclinical infection, intermittent shedding of the organism with the animal acting as a reservoir for infection. Infection with non host adapted strains results in clinical disease.
'''Leptospirosis''' is an important zoonosis, affecting humans as well as animals. The disease can be caused by infection with a number of different serovars of the bacteria ''Leptospira interrogans''. In general infection with a host adapted strain results in subclinical infection, intermittent shedding of the organism with the animal acting as a reservoir for infection. Infection with non host adapted strains results in clinical disease.
Cats do not appear to be affected by clinical disease but can become subclinically infected acting as a reservoir with intermittent shedding.
Transmission is via urine of affected animals; the organism gains entry at mucous membranes, broken skin, bite wounds and through ingestion of infected material. The organism can remain viable for weeks in damp conditions, rodents and other mammals act as a reservoir of infection. The incubation period is 2-12 days, after which dogs become lethargic, pyrexic and anorexic. The disease often progresses with renal and hepatic involvement. The host-adapted serovar ''canicolar'' causes acute renal failure in puppies; a chronic uraemic syndrome may follow. Incidental infections with serovar ''icterohaemorrhagica'' or ''copenhagenii'' cause renal failure; ''L. icterohaemorrhagiae'' may also cause [[Pigmentation and Calcification - Pathology#Hepatic (Toxic) Icterus|hepatic jaundice]]. Serovar ''bratislava'' has been reported to cause abortion and infertility in dogs, which may be the maintenance host.
Transmission is via urine of affected animals; the organism gains entry at mucous membranes, broken skin, bite wounds and through ingestion of infected material. The organism can remain viable for weeks in damp conditions, rodents and other mammals act as a reservoir of infection. The incubation period is 2-12 days, after which dogs become lethargic, pyrexic and anorexic. The disease often progresses with renal and hepatic involvement. The host-adapted serovar ''canicolar'' causes acute renal failure in puppies; a chronic uraemic syndrome may follow. Incidental infections with serovar ''icterohaemorrhagica'' or ''copenhagenii'' cause renal failure; ''L. icterohaemorrhagiae'' may also cause [[Pigmentation and Calcification - Pathology#Hepatic (Toxic) Icterus|hepatic jaundice]]. Serovar ''bratislava'' has been reported to cause abortion and infertility in dogs, which may be the maintenance host.
Vaccination against serovars ''canicola'' and ''icterohaemorrhagica'' has greatly reduced the prevalence and incidence of disease in the UK but in some areas the disease is re-emerging as owners decide not to vaccinate due to the reduced risk. Serovars ''pomona'' and ''grippotyphosa'' are becoming important.
Vaccination against serovars ''canicola'' and ''icterohaemorrhagica'' has greatly reduced the prevalence and incidence of disease in the UK but in some areas the disease is re-emerging as owners decide not to vaccinate due to the reduced risk. Serovars ''pomona'' and ''grippotyphosa'' are becoming important.
==Signalment==
==Signalment==