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| ==History and Symptoms==
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| In animals, the [[incubation period]] (time of exposure to first [[symptom]]s) is anywhere from 2 to 20 days. In dogs, the liver and kidney are most commonly damaged by leptospirosis. [[Vasculitis]] can occur, causing [[edema]] and potentially [[disseminated intravascular coagulation]] (DIC). [[Myocarditis]], [[pericarditis]], [[meningitis]], and [[uveitis]] are also possible sequelae. <ref name=VCNA>{{cite journal|author=Heuter, Kerry J.,Langston, Cathy E.|title=Leptospirosis: A re-emerging zoonotic disease|journal=The Veterinary Clinics of North America|year=2003|volume=33|pages=791-807}}</ref> One should strongly suspect leptospirosis and include it as part of a [[differential diagnosis]] if the sclerae of the dog's eyes appear [[jaundice]]d (even slightly yellow), though the absence of jaundice does not eliminate the possibility of leptospirosis, and its presence could indicate [[hepatitis]] or other liver pathology rather than leptospirosis. [[Vomit]]ing, fever, failure to eat, reduced urine output, unusually dark or brown urine, and [[lethargy]] are also indications of the disease.
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| In humans, leptospiral infection causes a wide range of [[symptom]]s, and some infected persons may have no symptoms at all. Leptospirosis is a '''biphasic disease''' that begins with flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, [[myalgia]]s, intense headache). The first phase resolves and the patient is asymptomatic briefly before the second phase begins that is characterized by meningitis, liver damage (causing jaundice), and renal failure. Because of the wide range of symptoms the infection is often [[misdiagnosis|wrongly diagnosed]]. This leads to a lower registered number of cases than there really are. Symptoms of leptospirosis include high [[fever]], severe [[headache]], chills, muscle aches, and [[vomit]]ing, and may include [[jaundice]], red eyes, [[abdominal pain]], [[diarrhea]], and/or a [[rash]]. The symptoms in humans appear after a 4-14 day incubation period.
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
| {{Reflist|2}} | | {{Reflist|2}} |