Leptospirosis in dogs

Overview

• What is leptospirosis? Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that causes very serious illness in dogs and can be fatal. The Leptospira bacteria damage vital organs such as the liver and kidneys.
• Transmission: Your dog is at higher risk if they live on a farm, regularly kill rodents, or spend a lot of time swimming. However, all dogs can catch leptospirosis.
• Symptoms: Symptoms of leptospirosis include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and jaundice.
• Prevention: Protect your dog by vaccinating them against leptospirosis.
• Can humans catch leptospirosis? Yes, leptospirosis is zoonotic which means it can pass from animals to humans - this is called Weil’s disease.

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection. It causes serious illness by damaging important organs such as the liver and kidneys. It spreads in urine and can live in water or soil for months. Leptospirosis enters the body through the mouth, nose or wounds.

Dogs most commonly catch leptospirosis from infected urine for example from:

• Water or soil that has been contaminated with infected urine from another animal (mainly rats). In particular, slow moving or stagnant water such as rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, canals, drains and floodwater.
• Rats and other wildlife and farm animals – coming into contact with the urine of infected animals
• Another dog’s infected urine - including sniffing/licking the ground where an infected dog has urinated.

Can humans get leptospirosis from dogs?

Leptospirosis is zoonotic which means it can pass from dogs to humans and cause serious illness. Fortunately, it’s rare in people. Leptospirosis in people is also known as Weil’s disease. If you’re concerned that you might have leptospirosis, it’s important to contact your GP for advice.

Leptospira bacteria are shed in urine of infected dogs (and other animals) so it’s important to take precautions if your dog is diagnosed with leptospirosis (or suspected of having it). Always wash your hands carefully after touching your dog and wear disposable gloves when cleaning bedding or anything that might have come into contact with urine. Follow the advice of your vet to keep both you and your pet safe.

Symptoms

Symptoms of leptospirosis vary a lot but can include:

• Jaundice (yellow gums and eyes)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea (which can sometimes be bloody)
• Lethargy
• Eating less than normal
• Weight loss
• Drinking and weeing more than normal
• Difficulty breathing or breathing quicker than normal
• Coughing

Some dogs show no or very few symptoms but can still spread the disease. Sadly, a dog can die within just two days of showing symptoms, so contact your vet immediately if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above.

Diagnosis

Your vet will check your dog's vaccination history and perform an examination. They may recommend blood and urine (wee) tests to check for organ damage and Leptospira bacteria. These tests might need to be repeated, especially in the early stages of the disease as it can be difficult to diagnose. If leptospirosis is suspected, your vet may start treatment immediately.

Treatment

Treatment includes:

• Antibiotics
• A fluid drip
• Anti-sickness medication
• Pain relief may also be needed

Dogs with leptospirosis must be treated in isolation to prevent them spreading it to other pets and people. This means they will be in their own separate kennel and vet staff will use protective clothing when caring for them. Even after recovering, dogs with leptospirosis can still spread the bacteria in their urine, posing a risk to other pets and people for a while. Your vet will advise you on the best ways to minimise risks of spread. Unfortunately, some dogs that survive, can develop long term kidney disease.

Sadly, if your dog becomes seriously ill with leptospirosis, you may need to consider putting them to sleep to stop them suffering.

Outlook

Leptospirosis is a very serious disease. Some dogs recover if they get veterinary help quickly, but dogs with more severe symptoms often die during the early stages of the disease or become so poorly (even with veterinary treatment) that they need to be put to sleep.

Prevention

A yearly vaccination is the best way to help prevent leptospirosis. There are a few different types of Leptospira bacteria, so there are different vaccinations available. Some vaccines contain two strains of bacteria (L2) and some contain four strains (L4).

Fortunately, we can vaccinate against the common types found in the UK. Speak to your vet about which vaccination will give your dog the best protection. Let your vet know if your dog is more likely to be in a high risk environment with stagnant or slow flowing water, on a farm or near rodents.

Unvaccinated dogs have a higher risk of infection.

Taking an unvaccinated puppy outside

Unvaccinated puppies and dogs have no protection against leptospirosis until one to three weeks after completing their vaccination course. The timeline for full immunity depends on the vaccine, so ask your vet for advice tailored to your dog. Until then, you can keep them safe by only allowing them to come into contact with certain animals or places:

• Vaccinated dogs. It’s fine for your puppy to socialise with dogs that are fully up to date with their vaccinations. Don’t allow your puppy any access to unvaccinated dogs.
• Puppy classes. As long as your puppy is healthy, it’s okay to enrol them in a puppy class. The benefits of socialising your puppy far outweigh the very small risk of catching leptospirosis from another puppy. Some trainers may ask that your puppy has had their first vaccination before starting classes.
• Homes. Your puppy is safe in your home and your friends' or families' homes as long as no unvaccinated dogs have visited recently.
• Gardens. Your puppy is safe in your garden and your friends' or families' gardens as long as no unvaccinated dogs have visited recently, and they aren’t known to have foxes or rats visiting.
• Farms and stagnant water. It’s especially important to avoid farms and stagnant water (lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, canals, drains and floodwater) until your puppy is fully vaccinated.
• Public places. Taking an unvaccinated puppy into a public area (rural or urban), is always a risk. While it's safer to wait, early socialisation is also very important. If you decide to take your puppy into a public place, try to avoid crowded areas, areas with lots of unknown dogs, water sources, and places where wildlife and farm animals might have been. If you are unsure whether a place is safe for your puppy, speak to your vet for advice.

When to contact your vet

Contact your vet for an appointment if your dog has any symptoms of leptospirosis, especially if they aren’t up to date with their vaccinations. Your dog is at higher risk of catching leptospirosis if they regularly kill rodents, live on a farm or spend a lot of time in water. You know your dog best, always contact your vet if you’re concerned.

Cost

Treatment for leptospirosis can become very expensive, so it’s important to speak openly with your vet about the cost of treatment, your finances, and what you think is right for your dog.

Consider taking out dog insurance as soon as you bring your dog home, before any signs of illness start. This will give you peace of mind that you have some financial support if they ever become unwell.

FAQs

Published: July 2024