What is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a highly contagious, easily spread bacteria that causes kidney failure and liver disease in dogs. It’s quite common here in Vermont because it’s spread through the urine of wild animals like foxes, raccoons, skunks, and various rodents like mice.
Many of these wild animals are in suburbia and will urinate in your backyard, releasing the bacteria. Dogs can then ingest the bacteria by tracking through the places where wild animals have urinated. When your dogs clean their paws and drink from mud puddles where wild animals have urinated, they are at risk of exposure to Leptospirosis bacteria.
Symptoms of Leptospirosis can vary. Some dogs won’t show any sign of illness, some may have a short, mild illness with spontaneous recovery, and some dogs become very sick and die. Symptoms might include muscle weakness, fever, shivering, increased thirst, reluctance to move, dehydration, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
For an infected dog, and because the bacteria is spread through urine, it’s best to let your dog urinate only in places that can be cleaned and disinfected. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic type of bacteria, meaning it’s also contagious to humans. If you or your vet suspect your dog has Leptospirosis, use gloves when handling your dog or cleaning up urine, and make sure you wash your hands after.
To diagnose Leptospirosis, your vet may order x-rays, blood tests, urine tests, and/or ultrasounds. When caught early, Leptospirosis can be treated with antibiotics. It’s important to follow your vet’s instructions about when to give your dog the antibiotics and for how long. There is still a risk of kidney or liver damage even when caught early.
Good news: there is a vaccination for Leptospirosis. Make sure your dog’s vaccination for Leptospirosis is current to avoid an avoidable tragedy. Call me to schedule an appointment and I can vaccinate your dog right at home.
Sources: