What IS Leptospirosis and why should I vaccinate my dog for it?

What IS Leptospirosis and why should I vaccinate my dog for it?

Let’s start with basics. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by a specific type of bacteria which is called a spirochete.

Once your dog has picked up these bacteria via oral or skin contact it travels into the blood stream and reproduces in multiple places including the liver and kidneys.  After the initial infection the pet can develop a fever. The severity of the impact this bacteria has will depend on the strength of your dog’s immune system.

Even after the animal’s amazing body seems to have cleared the infection (fever comes down and the pet feels better) they can still remain in the kidneys and liver to reproduce.  This is a serious infection and can cause death due to kidney or liver failure especially in young animals with less developed immune systems.

Leptospirosis cases are typically seen in the fall when pets are out in marshy and wet areas. This is where they come into contact by ingesting or skin wound contact with the contaminated water/soil/mud that raccoons and / or rodents are using as a toilet.

This is a zoonotic disease which means it is transmissible to humans. This means extreme caution should be used when handling any bodily fluid from an animal that has confirmed or suspected leptospirosis.

Having your pet vaccinated for Leptospirosis is a good idea simply because it helps give your pet the best defense against this disease if they are at risk.

Lexy, RVT