DOGS · Condition guide
Leptospirosis in dogs: what real veterinary cases show
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection in dogs caused by the Leptospira bacteria. It is often spread through contact with water contaminated by the urine of infected animals, such as rodents. This condition is relatively common in areas with standing water and can affect the kidneys and liver.
Owners typically notice symptoms like fever, lethargy, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin). Early detection is crucial as the disease can lead to severe kidney or liver damage if not treated promptly.
What vets typically check for
- Perform a physical examination and review the dog's history of exposure to potential sources of infection.
- Conduct blood tests to check for signs of kidney or liver damage and to detect antibodies against Leptospira.
- Perform a urinalysis to identify the presence of bacteria in the urine.
- Consider imaging studies like ultrasound to assess kidney and liver condition.
- Initiate antibiotic treatment and supportive care to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
Not a replacement for veterinary care. Use this to walk into the conversation prepared, not to self-diagnose.
Real cases from the veterinary literature
Peer-reviewed reports our semantic search surfaces for Canine leptospirosis. Click into any case for the full abstract — or run a personalised search with your pet's exact details.
- Monocular ictal nystagmus in a dog: potentially a newly recognized focal seizure phenotype
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine · 2026
A 3-year-old male neutered toy Chinese crested powderpuff dog was brought to the vet after suddenly becoming less responsive and experiencing severe seizures. During the exam, the vet noticed unusual eye movements, including rapid movement in the left eye and misalignment of the right eye. Tests, including MRI and spinal fluid analysis, showed brain lesions and signs of inflamm
- Efficacy of Simparica and Simparica TRIO for the prevention of Borrelia burgdorferi by Ixodes scapularis.
Parasites & vectors · 2026
A group of dogs was tested to see if two tick prevention medications, Simparica and Simparica TRIO, could stop Lyme disease caused by ticks. The dogs were given either the medications or a placebo, and then exposed to ticks known to carry the disease. While most dogs that didn't receive treatment got infected, only one dog treated with Simparica TRIO tested positive, and none o
- Optimization and validation of a TaqMan real-time PCR for the detection of Heterobilharzia americana in dog feces.
Veterinary parasitology · 2026 · United States
A dog with schistosomiasis, caused by the parasite Heterobilharzia americana, can show symptoms like weight loss, diarrhea, or lethargy. Researchers developed a new test using a method called TaqMan qPCR to detect this parasite's DNA in dog feces. This test was found to be very accurate, identifying the parasite in nearly all infected samples and showing no false positives in h
- [Alveolar echinococcosis in a pregnant bitch - a case report].
Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere · 2026
A 5-year-old unspayed female Labrador Retriever was brought to the vet with a swollen belly, excessive thirst, and frequent urination shortly after being artificially inseminated. After tests, she was diagnosed with alveolar echinococcosis, a serious liver infection caused by a parasite. The vet started her on a medication called albendazole, and despite the diagnosis, the owne
- Prevalence, breed predispositions, and culture and sensitivity results of bacterial hepatobiliary infections in dogs in the United Kingdom.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine · 2026 · United Kingdom
A group of 126 dogs in the UK were diagnosed with bacterial infections in the liver and bile ducts, with Miniature Schnauzers and Border Terriers being more likely to develop these infections compared to mixed-breed dogs. The most common bacteria found were Escherichia coli and Enterococcus species, with many infections showing resistance to multiple antibiotics. However, most
- sp. detected by next-generation sequencing in paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed tissues of a dog with severe panophthalmitis and periocular cellulitis.
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc · 2026 · United States
A 9-month-old male Saint Bernard was brought in with severe swelling around his eyes, painful inflammation inside the eye (uveitis), and secondary glaucoma, along with signs of pneumonia in his chest. After trying various medical treatments without success, the veterinarian performed surgery to remove the eye (enucleation). Testing of the eye tissue revealed a specific type of
Frequently asked questions
- How did my dog get leptospirosis?
- Dogs can contract leptospirosis through contact with water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, like rodents.
- Is leptospirosis contagious to humans?
- Yes, leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans, primarily through direct contact with contaminated urine.
- What is the prognosis for a dog with leptospirosis?
- With early diagnosis and treatment, many dogs recover well, but severe cases can lead to long-term kidney or liver damage.