Leptospirosis - Horses

Description

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira interrogans. It affects domestic species, wildlife and has zoonotic potential.

Signalment

Exposure to the disease is worldwide, with the predominent serovar varying with location. Serological studies show that exposure is high but clinical disease is low.

Clinical disease

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

Infection with pathogenic Leptospira spp cause a bacteraemia with the following clinical signs

• Pyrexia
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Anorexia

The disease can then invade a specific organ system resulting in associated clinical signs:

• Opthalmic

Chronic leptospirosis causes recurrent uvietis

• Abortion

• Renal

• Hepatic

Horses with subclinical infections or those in the carrier state are asymptomatic.