Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by pathogenic species of the spirochete Leptospira, picked up when mucous membranes or damaged skin meet urine-contaminated water, soil or animals. In dogs it is a leading infectious cause of acute kidney injury, often with cholestatic liver disease, and it is a zoonosis that puts owners and clinic staff at risk. For the exam you need to recognise the pattern, order the right tests at the right time, start doxycycline without waiting for results, and handle the patient safely.
Key facts
Leptospirosis at a glance- Species: dogs (cats are relatively resistant); many mammals act as reservoirs, rats most importantly.
- System: urinary (acute tubulointerstitial nephritis), with liver, lungs, platelets and eyes often involved.
- Cause: mainly Leptospira interrogans and L. kirschneri; immunity is serogroup-specific.
- Classic presentation: lethargic, vomiting, febrile dog with azotemia, isosthenuria, glucosuria with normal blood glucose, raised ALP and bilirubin, and thrombocytopenia.
- Treatment: doxycycline 5 mg/kg PO q12h for 2 weeks; an IV penicillin first if the dog is vomiting.
- Zoonotic: yes, through contact with infected urine. Human leptospirosis is nationally notifiable in the United States; rules for reporting animal cases vary by state.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 7 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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