This reproductive season (June 2011 to present) the University of Kentucky’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UKVDL) has confirmed 21 cases (as of Feb. 17) of equine leptospiral abortion in the Central Kentucky region. This is the highest number of cases seen by the laboratory since diagnosing 31 cases in 2009-2010 and 40 cases in 2006-2007. Both outbreaks coincided with increased rainfall.

The total number of cases in Kentucky is unknown, but the UKVDL receives a high percent of abortions that occur in the Bluegrass region.

Equine leptospirosis is a bacterial disease found worldwide that affects many species, including horses and people. The source of the bacteria is the urine of wild animals including mice, squirrels, fox, skunks, opossums and deer. Other domestic species such as cattle, dogs, and pigs can also be sources of infection. Horses are infected when bacteria enters through the skin or mucosal membranes of the eye or mouth by contact with blood, urine, or tissues from infected animals. This infection can also occur when horses splash infected urine into their eyes or by eating hay or feed contaminated by infected urine.

Once infected, horses might experience fever, become listless, or go off their feed. Their eyes can become painful, causing swelling, squinting, blinking, cloudiness, and tearing. Pregnant mares will often lose their foals late in gestation. Adult horses might show signs of jaundice (yellowing of the mucous membranes or eyes) in the latter stages of the disease and can die of liver and/or kidney failure. If you see any of these signs in your horse, consult with your veterinarian