CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS JENIFER CHATFIELD, DVM, DIPL. ACZM, DIPL. ACVPM
In the complimentary VETgirl-Merck webinar, Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, reviewed Canine Leptospirosis.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
1 With ~75% of all emerging pathogens zoonotic, a One Health approach to infectious disease evaluation becomes increasingly more prudent. With the recent re-emergence of leptospirosis, veterinarians remain the frontline in infectious disease detection and response. 2 Leptospirosis is one of the most exciting re-emerging pathogens in the USA. In fact, in the last 10 years, research indicates that the old dogma regarding risk of leptospirosis infection has been reversed. For example, recent investigations indicate that a risk factor for infection is a dog living in an urban area, rather than a rural dwelling dog as was historically thought to be at bigger risk. Additionally, small breed dogs have been identified as being at greater risk as well. Because of the zoonotic risk of leptospirosis, and the possibility of dogs becoming maintenance hosts, effective client communication and timely definitive diagnostics are important for regular practitioners to embrace. 3 Diagnostic options for leptospirosis include culture and antibody titer. However, as the initial presenting symptoms of leptospirosis can be those of a simple urinary tract infection and most first-line empirical antibiotics are effective, most clinicians do not perform diagnostics. The advent of
SUGGESTED REFERENCE READING 1. Raghavan R, Brenner K, Higgins J, et al. Evaluations of land cover risk factors for canine leptospirosis: 94 cases (2002-2009). Prev Vet Med 2011;101(3-4):241-9.
benchtop testing in recent years has made the option of definitive diagnosis more reasonable in regular practice. However, the nature of leptospirosis infection does muddy the diagnostics waters some. Review the full online webinar to learn more about a pathogen that you may be seeing in your practice and not recognizing. Tune in to get some tips on talking with clients about why vaccinating their pet for leptospirosis IS in their best interest and why veterinary staff should also understand the transmission and risk of leptospirosis! LEARN MORE
2. Stern EJ, Galloway R, Shadomy SV, et al. Outbreak of leptospirosis among Adventure
Race participants in Florida, 2005. Clin Infect Dis 2010;50(6):843-9.
3. Raghavan RK, Brenner KM, Higgins J, et al. Evaluations of hydrologic risk factors for canine leptospirosis: 94 cases (2002–2009). Prev Vet Med 2012;107(1-2):105-109. 4. Goldstein RE. Canine leptospirosis. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 2010;40(6):1091-101.
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