Leptospirosis

J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, FCAHS, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

ArticleLast Updated April 20212 min readPeer Reviewed
featured image
featured image

* Utility of PCR is low if antimicrobials were started before specimen collection.

Leptospirosis Management

Once leptospirosis diagnosis is confirmed, patients should be treated with antimicrobials and supportive care as needed.

Antimicrobials

  • If the patient can tolerate oral medication: Doxycycline (5 mg/kg PO every 12 hours) for 14 days1

  • If the patient cannot tolerate oral medication: Ampicillin (20 mg/kg IV every 6 hours), then, if possible, de-escalated to oral doxycycline (5 mg/kg PO every 12 hours) for an additional 14 days1

Supportive Care

  • IV fluids for replacement, diuresis, acid-base balance, and electrolyte maintenance

  • Antiemetics

  • Nutritional support for renal or hepatic injury

  • Renal replacement therapy can be considered in oliguric dogs developing volume overload, severe hyperkalemia, or severe azotemia nonresponsive to medical management.1

  • Other care as needed based on clinical syndrome and patient response to treatment

During hospitalization, hydration status should be carefully monitored (ie, measure “ins and outs,” thoracic auscultation, blood pressure), as should BUN/creatinine, acid-base/electrolytes, ± hepatic enzymes (as often as every 24 hours initially). PCV should be rechecked as often as every 24 hours initially, and CBC should be repeated as often as every 48 hours if thrombocytopenia is present and/or in severe cases. Urine specific gravity should also be rechecked every few days once fluid therapy has been discontinued, and clotting factors should be rechecked if abnormal.

Approximately 1 week after the patient is discharged, serum chemistry profile should be repeated, as should CBC if abnormalities were present at the time of discharge. Serum chemistry profile should be rechecked again in 3 to 7 days if results are still abnormal. Urine specific gravity should be monitored regularly if abnormal.

LEPTOSPIROSIS TESTS & CONSIDERATIONS

Test

Target

Sample type

Patient-side?

Impacted by vaccination?

Impacted by antimicrobial treatment?

MAT

Antibody (IgM and IgG)

Serum

No

Yes

No

Lepto rapid test

Antibody (IgM)

Serum

Yes

Yes

No

LipL-32 Leptospira

Antibody (IgG>IgM)

Serum

Yes

Yes

No

PCR

Antigen

Urine, whole blood

No

No

Potentially

IgG = immunoglobulin G, lgM = immunoglobulin M, MAT = microscopic agglutination test