Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Land and location risks for dog leptospirosis in Kansas and Nebraska
By Raghavan, R et al.·Published in Preventive veterinary medicine·2011·Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Evaluations of land cover risk factors for canine leptospirosis: 94 cases (2002-2009).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that dogs living in urban areas are at a higher risk for leptospirosis, a serious infection caused by bacteria. The research looked at 94 dogs diagnosed with leptospirosis and found that those in medium to high-density urban settings were more likely to test positive for the disease. Symptoms of leptospirosis can include fever, vomiting, and lethargy. The findings suggest that pet owners in urban areas should consider vaccinating their dogs against leptospirosis to help protect them from this infection.
People also search for: dog leptospirosis symptoms · urban dog vaccination · how to prevent leptospirosis in dogs
Abstract
Associations of land cover/land use variables and the presence of dogs in urban vs. rural address locations were evaluated retrospectively as potential risk factors for canine leptospirosis in Kansas and Nebraska using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The sample included 94 dogs positive for leptospirosis predominantly based on a positive polymerase chain reaction test for leptospires in urine, isolation of leptospires on urine culture, a single reciprocal serum titer of 12,800 or greater, or a four-fold rise in reciprocal serum titers over a 2-4 weeks period; and 185 dogs negative for leptospirosis based on a negative polymerase chain reaction test and reciprocal serum titers less than 400. Land cover features from 2001 National Land Cover Dataset and 2001 Kansas Gap Analysis Program datasets around geocoded addresses of case/control locations were extracted using 2500m buffers, and the presence of dogs' address locations within urban vs. rural areas were estimated in GIS. Multivariate logistic models were used to determine the risk of different land cover variables and address locations to dogs. Medium intensity urban areas (OR=1.805, 95% C.I.=1.396, 2.334), urban areas in general (OR=2.021, 95% C.I.=1.360, 3.003), and having urban address locations (OR=3.732, 95% C.I.=1.935, 7.196 entire study region), were significant risk factors for canine leptospirosis. Dogs regardless of age, sex and breed that live in urban areas are at higher risk of leptospirosis and vaccination should be considered.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21724280/