Diagnosis and Treatment

Clinical Signs

Clinical signs of leptospirosis may occur during early onset of the disease and can mimic those of other conditions such as urinary tract infections and hemolytic anemia. Diagnosis can be very difficult in the early stages as many infected dogs may show few or no clinical signs. Yet they’re actively shedding the bacteria, putting others at risk.

“When lepto is suspected, patients test positive 25 percent of the time*"

Jennifer E. Stokes, 20079

The following is a list of clinical signs caused by infection with serovars grippotyphosa and pomona. There are no clinical signs that are pathognomonic for infection by a specific serovar.

Clinical signs of the re-emerging leptospirosis

  • lethargy, depression
  • anorexia; vomiting
  • abdominal, lumbar pain
  • azotemia
  • polyuria, polydipsia
  • weight loss, fever
  • weakness
  • stiffness, myalgia
  • diarrhea
  • oliguria, anuria
  • icterus
  • visceral/neurogenic pain
  • conjunctivitis, uveitis
  • petechial hemorrhage
  • other signs including:
    • oculonasal discharge
    • disorientation
    • dyspnea
    • melena
    • hematuria
    • severe haemorrhagic diathesis/DIC
    • death
Lepto has been diagnosed in all types of dogs. All breeds and sizes of dogs are at risk.
Dogs can get sick even if they never come into direct contact with infected animals.
Most dogs that venture outdoors are at risk for lepto.

Diagnosis can be very difficult