Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease that can affect dogs and humans. It can cause severe health complications, including kidney and liver failure and, in some cases, it can be fatal. Fortunately, vaccination is an effective way to protect your pet and reduce the risk of infection for your entire family.

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is an infectious bacterial disease that can lead to a range of symptoms, including:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Increased thirst and urination
• Kidney and liver failure in severe cases

Since leptospirosis is zoonotic, meaning it can spread from animals to humans, protecting your dog also helps protect your household.

How Does My Dog Get Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is spread through the urine of infected animals, especially rodents, wildlife, and farm animals. Dogs can become infected through:

• Direct contact with contaminated urine
• Drinking or swimming in contaminated water (puddles, ponds, creeks)
• Exposure to urine-contaminated soil, food, or bedding
• Contact with infected wildlife or their environments

Because leptospirosis bacteria can survive in wet or muddy conditions for weeks or even months, dogs of all lifestyles can be at risk.

Is Your Dog at Risk?

Your dog may be at risk if they:

• Spend time outdoors (even just in the backyard)
• Walk on public footpaths
• Drink from puddles or outdoor water sources
• Swim in ponds, creeks, or other bodies of water
• Have exposure to wildlife (rats, rodents, or other animals)
• Visit dog parks or wetlands

If you answered YES to any of the above, your dog could be at risk of contracting leptospirosis.

How to Protect Your Dog

The best way to protect your dog from leptospirosis is through vaccination.

We’ve recently upgraded our Leptospirosis vaccine from C2i to Lepto 2, which offers better protection against the two most common strains in the Shoalhaven. To ensure full immunity, your dog must restart the primary course, consisting of two doses, 2-4 weeks apart. Unlike C2i, Lepto 2 does not cover Canine Coronavirus, but this isn’t a concern as it only causes mild, short-term diarrhea, whilst Leptospirosis is a serious and often fatal disease that can also spread to humans.

We strongly recommend scheduling your pet’s vaccinations as soon as possible to ensure they remain fully protected.

Protect your pet and your family from this dangerous disease. Contact our team today to schedule a vaccination appointment.