Leptospirosis - Horses

Description

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

see Leptospira

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.

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: The initial signs are blephrospasm, increased lacrimation, photophobia and corneal oedema, with progression to retinal detachment, synechia formation, and cataracts. Chronic leptospirosis causes recurrent uvietis.

Reproductive: Leptospirosis can cause abortion, still birth or neonatal disease depending on the serovar and the stage of gestation when infected. Abortions are most frequently late term.

Renal:

Hepatic:

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