Leptospirosis

What is it?

Leptospirosis is a chronic and sometimes deadly infection in dogs caused by the bacteria Leptospira, which can be identified under a microscope with its unique spiral shape. It is a bacterial infection that can be spread from animals to animals or even to humans therefore it is known as being zoonotic.

Leptospirosis is commonly found in bodies of water, particularly stagnant water or water that rodents and wildlife use as it is found to be transmitted by rodents via their urine. Dogs that drink the infected water when out on a walk will then become infected if the correct prevention is not in place. It can cause liver and kidney disease and sometimes even organ failure.

 

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

  • Lethargy
  • High fever
  • Jaundice
  • Malaise
  • Lack of appetite
  • Vomiting + diarrhoea
  • bleeding
  • Dark urine
  • Death (in severe cases)

Prevention and treatment 

Prevention for Leptospirosis is easy and extremely common. There is a vaccine that comes in two parts with a gap of 3-4 weeks in between vaccines. This is then followed up by one yearly booster vaccine to keep the immunity up in the dog's body.

The way the vaccine works is that a small amount of the inactivated DNA of the bacteria is injected into the dog's body where its immune cells will learn to recognise it and fight it off and then store a memory of it so if in the future the bacteria ends up getting into the body the immune system can easily and quickly get rid of it without causing the dog to become seriously unwell.  

 

If however, the dog is not vaccinated against Leptospirosis and becomes infected with the bacteria the dog will need to be taken to the vets where it will need to be put onto antibiotics and in some cases will need supportive therapies such as:

  • IV fluids
  • Anti-sickness medication
  • Pain relief
  • Surveillance

 

If you suspect your dog has leptospirosis infection it is best to take it straight to the vets, however it is not a 'Notifiable' disease therefore you do not need to let an governing bodies aware of the infection or outbreak.