Leptospirose Canina - A gravidade da Doença Bacteriana nos cães

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.90024190220

• Palavras-chave: Leptospira. Leptospirose Canina. Doença em cães.

• Keywords:  Canine Leptospirosis, Leptospira, Disease in Dogs

• Abstract: Canine leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira spp, which are spirochetes, helical, actively mobile and flexible and is normally linked to environmental factors. Symptoms vary in dogs depending on the host and the infecting serovar. Rodents, especially rats, are the main reservoirs, spreading the disease through contaminated urine. Transmission of canine leptospirosis occurs through direct contact with urine from infected animals or indirectly through contact with contaminated soil, water or mud. Veterinarians and dog owners are also at risk of contracting the disease through contact with urine from sick animals. Leptospirosis treatment involves fluid and electrolyte replacement, antibacterial therapy with penicillin G or ampicillin to eliminate bacteria. The diagnosis is made by anamnesis, clinical signs and laboratory tests such as elevated liver enzymes and other parameters. The serum microscopic agglutination test (SAM) is considered the gold standard by the WHO, despite its complexity of interpretation.