Lepterospira interrogans are groups of bacteria that are responsible for a sometimes fatal canine disease called leptospirosis.
There are at least eight different types of leptospires, each resulting in a specific strain of the disease.
Besides dogs, leptospirosis can also affect many other pets and animals, as well as people, and the disease is easily spread from one animal to another.
The effects of leptospirosis vary depending on the species that is infected and is usually worse in dogs.
The disease typically results in severe liver and kidney complications and sometimes causes death.
In recent years, vaccines for leptospirosis have been made available for dogs.
The first two types of vaccines prevent strains associated with the L.
canicola bacteria and the L.
icterhaemorrhagiae bacteria.
These two vaccines eliminated a large number of cases of leptospirosis among dogs.
Today, there are vaccines to prevent leptospirosis caused by L.
grippotyphosa and L.
Pomona strains as well.
The Leptospira Organism Leptospires are aquatic spirochetes, meaning they grow well in water, that are long, spiral shapes with small hooks on each end.
There are two types of leptospires, either biflexa or or interrogans.
Interrogans are the disease causing leptospires and are apparent in a variety of strains as well.
The antigens, or antibodies, common to each strain do not offer any type of protection to other strains of the disease.
So if a dog has previously survived a strain of leptospirosis, or received a vaccination to prevent a specific strain of the disease, his body will only be able to resist those particular disease causing leptospires, leaving him open to infection of other strains.
Leptospirosis Carriers The bacteria that causes leptospirosis is most often found in rodents, but any infected animal, including a dog with leptospirosis, can carry the disease.
The bacteria is generally found in the urine of these animals and is then ingested to cause infection, but it can also be transmitted through contact if the skin area is thin.
How Leptospirosis is Transmitted Leptospirosis is a contagious disease transmitted through bodily fluids, as well as skin and tissue.
An animal can contract the disease in a number of ways, including eating an infected animal, being bitten by an infected animal, and coming in contact with infected urine.
Animals can also contract leptospirosis in more indirect ways.
Because of the leptospires aquatic nature, they often breed in standing water, like puddles.
Dogs who wade through the puddles or drink the contaminated water can become infected.
Leptospires do not survive well in cold temperatures, so summer and spring are the times your dog is at the highest risk.
Symptoms The first signs of leptospirosis are usually evident within the first four to twelve days after contact with the bacteria.
Fever, a loss of appetite, lethargy, and vomiting are all common to the disease.
The dog may also experience eye infections, cold chills, and severe discomfort.
In some cases, the infected dog may develop hypothermia and experience fatally low body temperatures.
Dogs with leptospirosis have also been known to become so depressed that they die.
If left untreated, the disease can cause failure in the liver or kidneys.
Diagnosing Leptospirosis Testing for the disease can be done through both urine and blood samples, but blood tests are typically the most useful.
A test for various strains of leptospirosis is performed on a sample of the dog's blood.
This test measures the dog's titer, or antibody, levels against each strain to diagnose a possible infection.
It is sometimes necessary to perform more than one blood test for a reliable diagnosis because the titers often take up to 10 days to create a positive result.
A dog who has been vaccinated will have higher titer levels and should be considered as well.
Urine samples can diagnosis leptospirosis in infected dogs as well, but this poses many risks for those working with the sample.
Treatment An antibiotic, like penicillin, is usually administered to get rid of the leptospirosis infection.
Doxycycline is given later in the treatment to rid the dog of any remaining bacteria that could make him a carrier.
It is often necessary to treat the dog for dehydration, as well as vomiting or possible kidney or liver infections.
Fluids are usually given intravenously to rehydrate the dog quickly.
Dehydration that goes untreated for more than six hours can cause serious complications.
Other medications may be prescribed to treat other symptoms.
Leptospirosis Prevention Vaccine Leptospiral vaccines are currently available for most breeds of dogs and may be chemically inactivated or culture vaccines.
These vaccinations protect against the L.
canicola, L.
icterohaemorrhagiae, L.
grippotyphosa, and L.
Pomona strains of leptospirosis.
There are other ways you can protect your dog from this disease around the house.
Keep your yard mowed and clear of any standing water that could be inviting to breeding leptospires.
Always have fresh water readily available to you dog.
Keep rats and other rodents away from your home and property.
Finally, if your dog shows any abnormal signs or symptoms, contact your vet.
There are at least eight different types of leptospires, each resulting in a specific strain of the disease.
Besides dogs, leptospirosis can also affect many other pets and animals, as well as people, and the disease is easily spread from one animal to another.
The effects of leptospirosis vary depending on the species that is infected and is usually worse in dogs.
The disease typically results in severe liver and kidney complications and sometimes causes death.
In recent years, vaccines for leptospirosis have been made available for dogs.
The first two types of vaccines prevent strains associated with the L.
canicola bacteria and the L.
icterhaemorrhagiae bacteria.
These two vaccines eliminated a large number of cases of leptospirosis among dogs.
Today, there are vaccines to prevent leptospirosis caused by L.
grippotyphosa and L.
Pomona strains as well.
The Leptospira Organism Leptospires are aquatic spirochetes, meaning they grow well in water, that are long, spiral shapes with small hooks on each end.
There are two types of leptospires, either biflexa or or interrogans.
Interrogans are the disease causing leptospires and are apparent in a variety of strains as well.
The antigens, or antibodies, common to each strain do not offer any type of protection to other strains of the disease.
So if a dog has previously survived a strain of leptospirosis, or received a vaccination to prevent a specific strain of the disease, his body will only be able to resist those particular disease causing leptospires, leaving him open to infection of other strains.
Leptospirosis Carriers The bacteria that causes leptospirosis is most often found in rodents, but any infected animal, including a dog with leptospirosis, can carry the disease.
The bacteria is generally found in the urine of these animals and is then ingested to cause infection, but it can also be transmitted through contact if the skin area is thin.
How Leptospirosis is Transmitted Leptospirosis is a contagious disease transmitted through bodily fluids, as well as skin and tissue.
An animal can contract the disease in a number of ways, including eating an infected animal, being bitten by an infected animal, and coming in contact with infected urine.
Animals can also contract leptospirosis in more indirect ways.
Because of the leptospires aquatic nature, they often breed in standing water, like puddles.
Dogs who wade through the puddles or drink the contaminated water can become infected.
Leptospires do not survive well in cold temperatures, so summer and spring are the times your dog is at the highest risk.
Symptoms The first signs of leptospirosis are usually evident within the first four to twelve days after contact with the bacteria.
Fever, a loss of appetite, lethargy, and vomiting are all common to the disease.
The dog may also experience eye infections, cold chills, and severe discomfort.
In some cases, the infected dog may develop hypothermia and experience fatally low body temperatures.
Dogs with leptospirosis have also been known to become so depressed that they die.
If left untreated, the disease can cause failure in the liver or kidneys.
Diagnosing Leptospirosis Testing for the disease can be done through both urine and blood samples, but blood tests are typically the most useful.
A test for various strains of leptospirosis is performed on a sample of the dog's blood.
This test measures the dog's titer, or antibody, levels against each strain to diagnose a possible infection.
It is sometimes necessary to perform more than one blood test for a reliable diagnosis because the titers often take up to 10 days to create a positive result.
A dog who has been vaccinated will have higher titer levels and should be considered as well.
Urine samples can diagnosis leptospirosis in infected dogs as well, but this poses many risks for those working with the sample.
Treatment An antibiotic, like penicillin, is usually administered to get rid of the leptospirosis infection.
Doxycycline is given later in the treatment to rid the dog of any remaining bacteria that could make him a carrier.
It is often necessary to treat the dog for dehydration, as well as vomiting or possible kidney or liver infections.
Fluids are usually given intravenously to rehydrate the dog quickly.
Dehydration that goes untreated for more than six hours can cause serious complications.
Other medications may be prescribed to treat other symptoms.
Leptospirosis Prevention Vaccine Leptospiral vaccines are currently available for most breeds of dogs and may be chemically inactivated or culture vaccines.
These vaccinations protect against the L.
canicola, L.
icterohaemorrhagiae, L.
grippotyphosa, and L.
Pomona strains of leptospirosis.
There are other ways you can protect your dog from this disease around the house.
Keep your yard mowed and clear of any standing water that could be inviting to breeding leptospires.
Always have fresh water readily available to you dog.
Keep rats and other rodents away from your home and property.
Finally, if your dog shows any abnormal signs or symptoms, contact your vet.