Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis (or simply "lepto") is a disease caused by a spirochete bacterium that affects primarily dogs and can be transmitted to people. In fact, Lepto is the number one most zoonotic (meaning transmitted from animals to people) disease worldwide! There are several different serovars (or strains) of Lepto that are present in Texas and any of these different strains can affect dogs. If left untreated or if treated too late, Leptospirosis can be a fatal disease.
How would my dog get Lepto?
The bacterium is transmitted from infected wildlife hosts (mainly racoons, skunks, squirrels, rats, mice, and opossums) through infected urine or other body fluids. The bacterium is usually contracted through mucous membranes or open wounds from drinking or swimming in contaminated water, through contaminated soil, or from contaminated body fluids. The bacteria does not cause disease in its wildlife hosts and is shed continually from these carriers. It can survive for months in soil. Once thought to be a rural dog disease, we are now learning that the majority of dogs that become infected with Lepto are primarily indoor only small breeds. In addition, more than 80 cases were confirmed in the DFW last year alone. This is why we are now recommending the Lepto vaccine as part of our core vaccination protocol.
Symptoms in Dogs
Once infected with Lepto, the bacterium attacks the liver, kidneys, nervous system, lung and heart. Because of this, signs are nonspecific and can range from mild to severe in intensity. Common clinical signs in dogs include:
Symptoms in People
Most early symptoms of Lepto in people mimic signs of the flu. Most cases of Lepto are diagnosed in people who either frequent the outdoors (swimming, hiking, etc.) or who interact with animals (veterinarians and staff, animal shelter workers, and pet owners). You can learn more about Lepto in people by visiting the CDC website.
Diagnosing Lepto
Fortunately, there is a way to confirm Lepto infections in dogs. We send out a specific test to detect antibodies to the Lepto bacteria. It is very important to run this test if we are suspicious of Lepto because there is a very good treatment for this bacteria once a diagnosis has been made. It is also important to know if Lepto is present because of the risk of infection to people. We also run regular bloodwork to see what organs are affected - we may find kidney or liver failure present and these need to be treated symptomatically while we are waiting for the Lepto test to come back from the lab.
Treatment
There is a specific antibiotic regimen we can place your dog on if we suspect or confirm Leptospirosis. The earlier we start treatment the less likely severe organ damage will occur. Symptomatic treatment of organ damage (intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medication, pain medication, and potentially dialysis) will also be necessary.
Prevention
There is a good vaccine available for Leptospirosis, and we have incorporated it into our core vaccination protocol for all dogs. The vaccine protects against the 4 most common Leptospirosis serovars, and needs to be given yearly in order to achieve the best protection. Prior vaccines have been associated with a large percentage of vaccine reactions, but the new vaccine we carry has a reaction rate of about 0.01% which usually includes mild itching or swelling at the vaccine site. It is important for your dog to get re-vaccinated yearly because the protection decreases over time. It is also important for your dog to keep getting vaccinated even if he/she has contracted Lepto in the past because there is still a risk for being infected with different serovars.
How do I avoid getting Lepto from my dog?
If your dog has been diagnosed with Lepto, the bacterium will be shed through the urine in high amounts until the antibiotics can have time to work. Take the following prevention measures to decrease the risk that you will be exposed to Lepto:
How would my dog get Lepto?
The bacterium is transmitted from infected wildlife hosts (mainly racoons, skunks, squirrels, rats, mice, and opossums) through infected urine or other body fluids. The bacterium is usually contracted through mucous membranes or open wounds from drinking or swimming in contaminated water, through contaminated soil, or from contaminated body fluids. The bacteria does not cause disease in its wildlife hosts and is shed continually from these carriers. It can survive for months in soil. Once thought to be a rural dog disease, we are now learning that the majority of dogs that become infected with Lepto are primarily indoor only small breeds. In addition, more than 80 cases were confirmed in the DFW last year alone. This is why we are now recommending the Lepto vaccine as part of our core vaccination protocol.
Symptoms in Dogs
Once infected with Lepto, the bacterium attacks the liver, kidneys, nervous system, lung and heart. Because of this, signs are nonspecific and can range from mild to severe in intensity. Common clinical signs in dogs include:
- Fever
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Inappetance
- Lethargy and weakness
- Muscle pain or stiffness
- Yellowing to the skin or eyes (indicating liver failure)
Symptoms in People
Most early symptoms of Lepto in people mimic signs of the flu. Most cases of Lepto are diagnosed in people who either frequent the outdoors (swimming, hiking, etc.) or who interact with animals (veterinarians and staff, animal shelter workers, and pet owners). You can learn more about Lepto in people by visiting the CDC website.
Diagnosing Lepto
Fortunately, there is a way to confirm Lepto infections in dogs. We send out a specific test to detect antibodies to the Lepto bacteria. It is very important to run this test if we are suspicious of Lepto because there is a very good treatment for this bacteria once a diagnosis has been made. It is also important to know if Lepto is present because of the risk of infection to people. We also run regular bloodwork to see what organs are affected - we may find kidney or liver failure present and these need to be treated symptomatically while we are waiting for the Lepto test to come back from the lab.
Treatment
There is a specific antibiotic regimen we can place your dog on if we suspect or confirm Leptospirosis. The earlier we start treatment the less likely severe organ damage will occur. Symptomatic treatment of organ damage (intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medication, pain medication, and potentially dialysis) will also be necessary.
Prevention
There is a good vaccine available for Leptospirosis, and we have incorporated it into our core vaccination protocol for all dogs. The vaccine protects against the 4 most common Leptospirosis serovars, and needs to be given yearly in order to achieve the best protection. Prior vaccines have been associated with a large percentage of vaccine reactions, but the new vaccine we carry has a reaction rate of about 0.01% which usually includes mild itching or swelling at the vaccine site. It is important for your dog to get re-vaccinated yearly because the protection decreases over time. It is also important for your dog to keep getting vaccinated even if he/she has contracted Lepto in the past because there is still a risk for being infected with different serovars.
How do I avoid getting Lepto from my dog?
If your dog has been diagnosed with Lepto, the bacterium will be shed through the urine in high amounts until the antibiotics can have time to work. Take the following prevention measures to decrease the risk that you will be exposed to Lepto:
- Avoid contact with blood or urine from your dog.
- If you have to contact blood or urine, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly
- Cover any open wounds or sores with appropriate protective material.
- Clean any surfaces your pet may have contaminated with a dilute bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water)
- Make sure your dog takes its full course of antibiotics and remember to recheck with your veterinarian at the recommended times.