Oh no, what the heck is lepto?
By Courtney Pellerin, DVM
Whether you are a first time puppy owner or have had dogs for years and years, you may hear your veterinary staff now asking you about adding on the leptospirosis vaccine to your dog’s vaccine regimen. So why now and what exactly is it covering for?
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by a bacteria (Leptospira) carried by wildlife (raccoons, rats, skunks, squirrels, etc) and is found in places where those animals can urinate (lakes, streams, puddles, soil) Due to the widespread places that this bacteria can be found, any dog that goes outside is potentially at risk of contracting this disease. This disease is also zoonotic, meaning it can be spread from animals to humans as well–making it a large area of concern for pet owners as we share a living environment with our pets and could easily contract this from our furry friends if they are infected. Symptoms of the disease in pets include inappetence, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, jaundice, weight loss, muscle pain. The disease can cause severe, sometimes irreversible damage to the kidneys and liver. In the worst cases, this can lead to bleeding disorders, respiratory distress, or cardiac dysfunction.
Previously, leptospirosis was a vaccine only thought to be needed by larger breed, hunting dogs frequenting areas of standing water. However, over the years, we have realized that leptospirosis is not limited to a certain breed or lifestyle of our canine friends. Small breed dogs in urban areas have actually been overrepresented in cases of leptospirosis as they had not previously been vaccinated and thus were unprotected.
Because of our growing knowledge of this disease’s prevalence and its possible effects on the human population, the American Animal Hospital Association has changed its vaccination guidelines to reflect leptospirosis as a core vaccine. The vaccine should be administered annually to all dogs starting at 12 weeks of age, regardless of breed. This vaccine does require a booster the first time it is given and then annually moving forward.
So next time your pet is in for their annual vaccine visit, please ask to ensure your dog is vaccinated for leptospirosis, protecting them and their humans at home!