RT-PCR / Molecular Tests Dog Cat Cow Buffalo

Leptospira RT-PCR

Leptospira RT-PCR is a test that looks for the genetic material (DNA) of Leptospira, the bacteria that cause leptospirosis, in the blood or urine of dogs, cats, cows and buffaloes. The chance of finding the germ is higher when the sample is taken before antibiotics are started.

Sample: Urine or whole blood (EDTA)
Quantity: As advised
Report: Confirmed when you book
Collection: Free in Bhopal

What this test checks

Leptospira DNA - the genetic material of the bacteria that cause leptospirosis
Germs in the blood, where Leptospira is usually found early in the illness
Germs in the urine, where Leptospira is usually found later, once it settles in the kidneys
Whether an animal may be passing the germ in its urine, which matters for people and animals around it

Benefits of this test

Can help detect leptospirosis early, before antibody tests turn positive.
Looks for the germ itself rather than the body's antibodies.
Works on blood or urine, so your vet can match the sample to the stage of illness.
A urine result can show whether an animal may be passing the germ to people or other animals.
Helps your vet decide on care, further tests and hygiene at home or on the farm.

When your vet may advise it

A dog with fever, vomiting, yellow eyes or gums, or a sudden change in thirst or urine.
Kidney or liver blood tests that look abnormal without a clear cause.
A dog or cat that has waded through floodwater or lives around rats.
Abortion, stillbirth or weak calves in cows or buffaloes.
A sudden fall in milk with fever in a cow or buffalo.
An animal that lives with another animal found to have leptospirosis, if your vet advises it.

About this test

Leptospirosis is an infection caused by Leptospira bacteria. Animals usually catch it from water, mud or soil soiled by the urine of infected rats, dogs or livestock, often after the rains. In dogs it can harm the kidneys and liver and cause fever, vomiting, yellow eyes and changes in thirst and urine. In cows and buffaloes it is linked with abortion, weak calves, fever and a sudden fall in milk. Illness is less common in cats, but your vet may still test a cat whose signs fit.

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a test that finds and copies tiny pieces of a germ's DNA. Leptospira is usually found in the blood early in the illness and in the urine later, once it settles in the kidneys, so your vet may send blood in an EDTA tube (a tube that stops blood clotting), urine, or both. Taking the sample before antibiotics improves the chance of finding the germ. Because PCR looks for the germ itself, it can help early, before the body has made antibodies, the defence proteins that blood tests such as the MAT (microscopic agglutination test) or ELISA look for.

A registered veterinarian reads the result together with the animal's signs, history and kidney and liver tests. Leptospirosis can pass to people, so wear gloves when handling urine, samples or sick animals, wash your hands well and see a doctor if you develop a fever or feel unwell. In Bhopal, sample collection is free, and from other districts your vet can send the sample by courier or bus parcel after calling the lab.

How to prepare

Where possible, the sample is taken before antibiotics are started; wear gloves if you help collect urine, use a sterile container, and tell your vet about any medicines already given. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book.

Reading the result

A registered veterinarian reads the result together with the animal's signs, history and other tests. A positive result shows Leptospira DNA was found. A negative result does not rule leptospirosis out, because the germ may have left the blood, may not yet be in the urine, may be passed only on and off, or antibiotics may already have been given.

Questions about Leptospira RT-PCR

Should blood or urine be sent for leptospirosis PCR?

It depends on the stage of illness. Leptospira is usually found in the blood early on and in the urine later, so your vet may send blood, urine or both. Taking the sample before antibiotics improves the chance of finding the germ.

Can people catch leptospirosis from dogs or cattle?

Yes. Leptospirosis can pass to people, mainly through contact with the urine of infected animals or with water and soil soiled by it. Wear gloves when handling urine, samples or sick animals, wash your hands well, and speak to a doctor if you feel unwell.

What is the difference between Leptospira PCR and the MAT test?

PCR looks for the germ's DNA, so it can help early in the illness, before the body has made antibodies. The MAT (microscopic agglutination test) looks for those antibodies, which take time to rise. Your vet may use both tests to get a clearer picture.

Can a negative leptospirosis PCR rule out the disease?

No, not always. The germ may have left the blood, may not yet be passing in the urine, may be shed on and off, or antibiotics may already have been given. If the signs fit, your vet may repeat the test or add an antibody test.

Before you book this test

Why this notice: so you know, before you book, how a test is done, what its limits are and who is responsible.

Where it is tested. Some tests are done wholly or partly by an independent partner laboratory. The lab tells you before booking if this test is sent out, and the report names the laboratory that did it.
What a result can and cannot tell you. No test is right every time. A normal result does not rule out every disease, and an abnormal result does not prove one. A registered veterinarian should read the report with the animal’s signs and history before any treatment is started, changed or stopped.
The sample. A sample that is clotted, too small, wrongly labelled, leaking or too old may be rejected or reported with a note, and the lab may ask for a fresh one.
Reporting time. Confirmed when you book. Times are estimates, not guarantees, and the lab confirms the time when you book.
Emergencies. A booking or a pending report must not delay urgent care. If an animal has collapsed, struggles to breathe, has fits or bleeds heavily, call a veterinarian at once.

Please read our Terms of Service, Medical Disclaimer, Privacy Policy and Refund and Cancellation Policy. Pashupatinath Vet Lab is operated by Duaji Healthcare and Tech Private Limited. This page is general information and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice.

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