Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease (transferrable from animals to humans) that is exists in Lake County and is widespread throughout the world. It is a deadly bacterial disease spread by wildlife and affects any mammal. Lepto bacteria are shed in urine. Hosts can transmit disease without presenting with clinical illness themselves. Dogs and people are usually infected through contact with contaminated water or contact with infected animals such as raccoons, opossums, deer, mice, squirrels or coyotes which all live in Lake County. Livestock can also carry the disease. Some veterinarians in the county do not routinely vaccinate for Leptospirosis just like some do not bother testing for heart worm disease. At Middletown Animal Hospital we have diagnosed the disease many times and and include it in our core Distemper/Parvovirus vaccine. The Lepto vaccine must be boostered annually whereas the Distemper/Parvo is boostered every 3 years.
Lepto is not easily diagnosed by veterinarians because the symptoms are vague and similar to other diseases. This is why some veterinarians who may not be strong diagnosticians tend to not view Lepto as a problem. But the incidence of Lepto is increasing each year as humans infringe upon areas where wildlife exist. Clinical signs of Lepto can include anorexia, lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal signs. Infection occurs when dogs wade through or drink from contaminated water sources. The bacteria can enter through a cut in the skin or mucous membranes, such as the eye, nose, or mouth. Today, Lepto is the number one infectious cause of acute kidney failure in dogs. Early recognition is important for full recovery.
Because Lepto carriers can be in rural or urban areas, all dogs are at risk. Do you live near areas where wildlife has been, near farmland, streams, woods? Does your dog drink from standing water or go in wet grass? Do you take your dog to the dog park? Lepto transmission can occur in just a few minutes outside and can affect any breed of dog.
Bottom line: why risk it when the disease is capable of being transmitted to children and adults. An annual vaccine is the affordable and smart way to protect your dog and your family from a disease that is very costly to treat.
