KEY CONSIDERATIONS 1. Risk of infection in companion animals relates to direct or indirect exposure to reservoir hosts (e.g. rats). 2. Given the most common route of infection in humans is contact with urine from infected animals, in a veterinary clinic setting where leptospirosis is suspected or confirmed, consider preventative measures such as full personal protective equipment and appropriate management of animal waste, such as urine. 3. Vaccination is available for at risk dogs; however vaccination is serovar specific and does not provide sterilising immunity.
Leptospirosis should be considered a differential diagnosis in any dog exhibiting signs of a non-specific illness or signs of haemorrhagic, renal or hepatic disease.
References: 1. Picardeau, M., (2017) Virulence of the zoonotic agent of leptospirosis: still terra incognita? Nat Rev Microbiol, 15(5), 297-307. 2. Reagan, K.L., et al (2019) Diagnosis of canine leptospirosis. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract, 49(4), 719-731. 3. Sykes, J.E., et al (2011) 2010 ACVIM small animal consensus statement on leptospirosis: diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment, and prevention. J Vet Intern Med, 25(1), 1-13. 4. Zwijnenberg, R.J., et al (2008) Cross-sectional study of canine leptospirosis in animal shelter populations in mainland Australia. Aust Vet J, 86(8), 317-23. 5. Dickeson, D., et al (1993) A serological survey of dogs, cats and horses in south-eastern Australia for leptospiral antibodies. Aust Vet J, 70(10), 389-90. 6. Watson, A.D., et al (1976) Leptospiral agglutinins in dogs in Sydney. Aust Vet J, 52(9), 425-6. 7. Griebsch, C., et al (2021) Emerging leptospirosis in urban Sydney dogs – a case series (2017- 2020). Aust Vet J , submitted manuscript. 8. Miller, R.I., et al (2007) Clinical and epidemiological features of canine leptospirosis in North Queensland. Aust Vet J, 85(1-2), 13-9. 9. Dybing, N.A., et al (2017) Leptospira species in feral cats and black rats from Western Australia and Christmas Island. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 17(5), 319-324.
10. Harkin, K.R., et al (2003) Comparison of polymerase chain reaction assay, bacteriologic culture, and serologic testing in assessment of prevalence of urinary shedding of leptospires in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 222(9), 1230-1233. 11. Alashraf, A.R., et al (2020) First report of pathogenic Leptospira spp. isolated from urine and kidneys of naturally infected cats. Plos One, 15(3), e0230048. 12. Andre-Fontaine, G., et al (2015) Waterborne leptospirosis: Survival and preservation of the virulence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in fresh water. Curr Microbiol, 71(1), 136-142. 13. Haake, D.A., et al (2015), Leptospirosis in humans. In: Leptospira and leptospirosis. Springer. 65-97. 14. Lau, C.L., et al (2018) Leptospirosis: An important zoonosis acquired through work, play and travel. Aust J Gen Pract, 47(3), 105-110. 15. Levett, P.N., (2001) Leptospirosis. Clin Microbiol Rev, 14(2), 296-326. 16. Ludwig, B., et al (2017) Lethal pulmonary hemorrhage syndrome due to Leptospira infection transmitted by pet rat. IDCases, 8, 84-86.
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62 Companion Animal Zoonoses Guidelines
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