Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by a spiral shaped bacteria called leptospires. It occurs worldwide and can infect humans as well as wild and domestic animals, including dogs. In dogs, leptospirosis can cause both acute and chronic disease, especially of the liver and kidneys.

Clinical signs of leptospirosis may include: decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, increased thirst and urination, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin).

The leptospira bacteria are spread through the urine of infected animals, which can then travel through water or soil and survive for weeks or months. Wild animal populations (raccoons, skunks, squirrels, voles, rats, deer, and opossum) serve as reservoirs of infection that can contaminate the environment. A dog typically becomes infected indirectly by drinking water contaminated by the urine of an infected animal. Leptospira can also be transmitted through direct contact with Leptospira-infected urine, bite wounds, and through ingestion of the bacteria. There also seems to be an increased risk of exposure during years of frequent flooding, and in the late summer and fall. Humans can also become infected through contact with the urine of infected animals.

Treatment for leptospirosis includes antibiotics, fluid therapy, and general supportive care. If a pet is treated early in the course of the disease, it may recover more rapidly and organ damage (kidney, liver) may be less severe. Unfortunately, chronic kidney and liver disease can occur secondarily to leptospirosis.

A vaccine is available to help prevent leptospirosis. It is recommended that pets that are exposed to an environment frequented by squirrels, voles, opossum, rats, mice, deer, and raccoons (which are most suburban dogs) be vaccinated to help prevent transmission of the disease. The vaccine is also recommended for dogs that spend time in the water and wet areas. The vaccine is initially administered as a series of 2 vaccines, 3 weeks apart, and then followed by an annual vaccine booster.