Leptospirosis is dangerous not only because it can be a fatal disease for your pet but also because it can be contagious to you. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, a disease that can be passed from pets to people.
What Is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a disease that can affect the liver and/or the kidneys of an infected dog. It is also transmissible to people as well as several other species of animals, including rodents, cattle, swine, horses, raccoons, skunks, opossums and others.
Leptospirosis is caused by a bacterial organism known as Leptospira interrogans. There are many different strains of leptospirosis and there are four strains that are commonly seen in dogs: L. canicola, L. icterohaemorrhagiae, L. gryppotyphosa and L. pomona.
Leptospirosis is spread through contact with body fluids from an infected animal, most commonly urine. Dogs are frequently infected when they come into contact with water or soil contaminated with urine from an infected rodent. They may also be exposed through contact with reproductive secretions and organs from an infected animal, such as a cow, pig or horse.
Protecting Your Dog from Infection with Leptospirosis
In some regions, leptospirosis is a frequently diagnosed disease. In other areas, it is rarely seen. Your veterinarian should be able to advise you how common leptospirosis is in your area.
Protecting your dog against leptospirosis involves avoiding exposure to contaminated soil, water and animals tissues or secretions that can spread the disease. Reducing the rodent population, where possible, can be helpful in reducing the risk of exposure.
If you keep cattle, horses or swine on your property, you should keep your dog away from any potentially infected materials from these animals also.
There is a vaccination available for canine leptospirosis. However, before the vaccine is administered, you should weigh the risk of infection with leptospirosis against the risk of giving the vaccine. The vaccine has a higher rate of adverse reactions than many other vaccines. In addition, the vaccine will not protect your dog against all strains of leptospirosis. There are vaccines that protect against two strains and other vaccines that protect against four strains but there is not a vaccine that protects against all possible strains. So, the vaccine is not 100% effective.
Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Leptospirosis
Bodies of water can be contaminated with urine from infected animals. Avoid swimming, wading and/or drinking from any water that may be contaminated.
If you need to care for a dog that is infected:
- Avoid handling urine and other body fluids, if possible. If you need to clean accidents for your dog, wear gloves when doing so and wash your hands thoroughly once finished.
- Make sure that your pet receives all medications provided by your veterinarian so that the infection is properly cleared from his body.