Leptospirosis is a contagious infectious disease of dogs that is widespread worldwide and can also be transmitted to humans, which is why it is also referred to as a zoonosis. This bacterial disease was first discovered in dogs in 1852. Almost half a century later, it was observed at a dog show in Stuttgart, which is why it was initially called Stuttgart dog disease. In Germany, leptospirosis is a notifiable animal disease.
The pathogens that cause leptospirosis, leptospira, are divided into approximately 20 species and up to 250 serotypes (= variations of the bacteria), each of which has adapted to different animal species. Due to the almost universal vaccination against the classic pathogens in dogs in recent years, newer strains are now increasingly being detected.
In addition to dogs, rats and mice are also considered to be reservoirs of the pathogen. Excretion begins seven days after infection and can last up to four years. So-called chronic carriers or acutely ill animals excrete the bacteria in their urine. Transmission occurs through skin or mucous membrane contact with contaminated water. Standing water and puddles pose a particular risk if dogs drink from them or bathe in them. There is an increase in cases of the disease in late summer and fall. Direct transmission through biting or mating is also possible.
Without triggering an immediate local reaction, the leptospires enter the organism through mucous membranes or skin lesions, multiply there and then enter the bloodstream. Via the blood, they reach the liver, kidneys, spleen, central nervous system, eyes, and reproductive organs, where they release toxins and cause severe organ damage.
The first symptoms appear after an incubation period of four to twelve days. Depending on the age and immune status of the dog, the severity, serotype, and course of the disease, different signs of illness may appear. The first symptoms are usually weakness, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever. As the disease progresses, the animals may show diarrhea, jaundice, bleeding, tonsillitis, drowsiness, water retention, and lack of urine output. Paralysis, central nervous system disorders, respiratory distress, visual disturbances, or circulatory failure are rare.
Severe, acute cases can be fatal within 48 to 72 hours as a result of coagulation disorders and severe internal bleeding caused by vascular damage.
Chronic forms of leptospirosis develop when organ damage remains after survival of a severe form of the disease or when leptospires retreat to the kidneys or liver, where they can no longer be reached by the body's own antibodies. Chronic liver and kidney inflammation are the result.
Due to the initially very unspecific clinical symptoms and blood test results that are not necessarily characteristic, diagnosis is not always easy for veterinarians. If leptospirosis is suspected, indirect or direct pathogen detection tests can be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Nowadays, most laboratories can detect antibodies for various serotypes. However, antibodies can only be detected in the blood at least one week after the onset of the disease, which means that in acute cases, treatment must be started before a usable test result is available. It should also be noted that vaccine antibodies are also detectable in the blood of vaccinated dogs, which means that the results are not always easy to interpret.
The chances of recovery depend greatly on the course of the disease and which organs are affected. If the kidneys are affected, even chronic cases can lead to death in the final stages due to kidney failure. Acute and very severe forms of the disease have a poor prognosis.
Since it is virtually impossible to combat the reservoir hosts of leptospirosis, mice and rats, and since it is a zoonosis, regular vaccination is strongly recommended. Dogs that have survived leptospirosis should also be vaccinated, as the body's own defenses do not provide long-lasting protection against all serotypes. The Standing Committee on Vaccination in Veterinary Medicine (StiKo Vet), a panel of veterinary experts, recommends vaccination against leptospirosis as a "core component," which means that every dog should be protected against this disease at all times. The use of newer leptospirosis vaccines against three or four different leptospira strains is generally recommended. The vaccine should not be changed during the basic immunization, as the vaccines differ greatly in terms of the Leptospira strains and their number. Two consecutive vaccinations at eight and twelve weeks of age and a further vaccination at 15 months of age are recommended as a complete basic immunization. Annual booster vaccinations are then necessary. Your vet can send you a personalized vaccination schedule for your dog via petsXL, and you will automatically receive notifications when it is time to make another appointment .
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