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The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are found worldwide and can cause clinical disease in most mammals. Dogs, and less commonly cats, can become infected with Leptospira, which can cause a variety of clinical signs, ranging from mild and non-specific to severe, multi-systemic, fulminant disease that can lead to death. Both species can also be asymptomatic shedders of this potential zoonosis in the urine, so awareness and control of the disease is important from a public health perspective. . Owners, vets and laboratory personnel may be at greatest risk of zoonotic transmission from dogs, and it is thought that pet rat owners may be most at risk of pet-associated leptospirosis as rats are the main reservoir for L. icterohaemorrhagiae, the serovar most pathogenic to humans. Last reviewed 2023.
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