Canine Leptospirosis Study Guide
Overview and Clinical Importance
Leptospirosis is a globally important zoonotic bacterial disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. This disease represents one of the most clinically significant infectious causes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in dogs and is a frequently tested topic on the NAVLE due to its clinical complexity, zoonotic potential, and importance in veterinary public health.
The 2023 ACVIM Consensus Statement updated recommendations to include leptospirosis vaccination as a core vaccine for all dogs, regardless of lifestyle, signaling the increased recognition of this disease's widespread occurrence even in urban and suburban environments.
Etiology
The Organism
Leptospira species are thin, tightly coiled, motile spirochetes measuring 0.1 micrometers in diameter and 6-20 micrometers in length. Key morphological features include:
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