Puppies Leptospirosis

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DEFINITION

A bacterial disease affecting humans and animals, caused by pathogenic subtypes (serovars) of  Leptospira spp

 

RISK FACTORS

• Suburban or rural environment

• Outdoor exercise areas/activities

• Exposure to wildlife or livestock (maintenance hosts)

• Exposure to moist environments/ standing water or to raw sewage

• Flooding

• Human risk factors: direct contact with domestic animals, environmental exposure (e.g., fisheries, rice fields, water sports), exposure to wild rodents (urban areas of poor sanitation)

 

PROGNOSIS AND OUTCOME

• Survival rates for patients with clinical leptospirosis: 70%-85%

• Patients with acute renal failure are frequently oliguric to anuric and may require dialysis

• Survivors may have persisting/chronic kidney (common) or liver dysfunction.