What is Leptospirosis?

If you are a dog owner you may have noticed that annually your dog will receive a vaccination for something called leptospirosis. What is it, you ask?

Leptospirosis is a spirochete (type of bacteria) that is present in the environment and is a threat to dogs (cats are resistant) and being a zoonotic disease it can be passed to humans. It is found mainly in stagnant water (swamps, ponds, even puddles), so if your dog is around these things they are at increased risk.

Entering your dog's body through mucous membranes it can multiply in the body and cause serious harm. Affecting mostly the liver and kidneys it can show up as possibly causing: jaundice, lethargy, vomiting, increased drinking/urination or just not feeling right. Once infection has taken hold in a dog's body it is shed through the urine - causing a risk to other dogs, humans and the environment.

Until recently the leptospirosis vaccine was part of the distemper combination vaccine. This has changed as more serovars (subtypes of leptospirosis) have been implicated in causing disease. Leptospirosis is now a separate, annual vaccine that is highly recommended for all dogs, especially if exposed to stagnant water.

As noted earlier the signs may be non-specific, but more likely will be those associated with kidney or liver failure. Testing is done through bloodwork and treatment with antibiotics is effective if done early in the disease's progression. As always, if you are concerned with your pet's health then contact a veterinarian immediately.

~ Michael Marshall DVM ~ Click here to see past highlights...