Leptospirosis - zoonoses fact sheet
It is a sickness caused by the bacteria Leptospira. In the tropics of Australia the main types we see in dogs is Leptospira interrogans var. australis and Leptospira interrogans var. zanoni. These are also the main types we see in people in the tropics.
Leptospirosis in people can be very mild, like flu. People will get fevers, headaches, aching joints and muscle pain. It can also make people very sick if it attacks the kidneys or lung.
Leptospirosis in dogs can cause yellow gums, nose-bleeding, flu-like signs, and death.