Get your dog ready for fall with a leptospirosis vaccine

It’s still warm enough for our dogs to splash around in ponds and puddles—and leptospirosis-causing bacteria thrive in warm and wet environments well into the fall. 

Leptospirosis, also known as “lepto” for short, is a bacterial disease carried by many livestock and wildlife species including urban wildlife, like raccoons, mice, and rats. They pass it along through their urine, usually by contaminating soil or water.

Dogs typically get infected by swimming in, wading through or drinking contaminated water. Any body of water can harbor leptospirosis, from puddles and bird baths to ponds and lakes. Hurricanes and heavy rains are also a problematic source of infection, allowing animal urine to wash into floodwater that people and pets then wade through.

Leptospirosis bacteria affect the kidneys and the liver, causing organ damage that can potentially lead to death. Luckily, if caught early, leptospirosis can be treated with antibiotics. 

People can also catch leptospirosis. This unfortunately means that sick dogs may pass the disease to their owners.

Clearly leptospirosis is a disease best avoided, but rather than swearing off all the water fun to be had this fall, here are some simple steps to protect both you and your dog:

• Vaccinate your dog each year with the leptospirosis vaccine
• Avoid contact with floodwater, stagnant water, or wet environments
• Regularly change the water in any outdoor water features, such as kiddie pools and bird baths
• Do your best to control wildlife and rodents around your home

Call your veterinary team with any questions you may have regarding leptospirosis or to book an appointment for a vaccination. You can also use the myVCA^TM app to easily check your dog’s vaccination history.

Download the myVCA app. >>