Leptospirosis - A Danger to Dogs and Dog Owners
Canine Leptospirosis: This Severe Dog Disease can Also Infect People
Canine leptospirosis is an infectious disease which infects not only dogs, but other mammals as well. People can be infected with leptospirosis, causing potentially life-threatening illness, making leptospirosis a particularly dangerous infectious disease.
How is Leptospirosis Spread?
Leptospirosis is spread through contact with bodily fluids from animals which are infected. Rodents are common carriers of leptospirosis and dogs are frequently exposed to the disease when drinking from puddles or other bodies of water which have been contaminated with infected rodent urine.
In addition, dogs can be exposed to leptospirosis through killing and ingesting rodents or other animals infected with leptospirosis.
People can also be exposed to leptospirosis through contact with infected urine, either from an infected dog or from another infected animal.
Symptoms of Canine Leptospirosis
Canine leptospirosis usually damages the liver or kidneys of an infected dog and symptoms may include:
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- fever
- dehydration
- excessive urination
- excessive thirst
- icterus apparent through a yellow coloration in gums and skin
- anterior uveitis (changes in the eye)
Leptospirosis can cause serious disease in dogs and may be fatal.
Treatment of Canine Leptospirosis
There are several antibiotics which are effective at killing the organism which causes leptospirosis. These antibiotics include penicillin, amoxicillin, doxycycline and many others.
Treatment for canine leptospirosis often includes:
- antibiotics
- fluid therapy to combat dehydration and ongoing fluid losses caused by vomiting and diarrhea
- anti-emetic medications to control vomiting
- anti-diarrheal medications to control diarrhea (in some cases)
- specific treatments aimed at limiting and controlling damage to the liver and kidneys
Prevention of Canine Leptospirosis
Preventing leptospirosis in dogs requires controlling rodent populations.
Vaccinations against canine leptospirosis are available for use in dogs. Though leptospirosis vaccination is not considered a core vaccine for dogs, vaccination against leptospirosis may be recommended in areas where leptospirosis is commonly diagnosed.
Vaccination against leptospirosis does provide protection against several major strains of leptospirosis, but may not provide full protection against all strains of leptospirosis seen in dogs.
Determining whether a dog may benefit from vaccination against leptospirosis should be based on an evaluation of the risk factors for exposure to leptospirosis for the individual dog and an analysis of whether the risk of disease outweighs the risk of vaccination.
Prevention of Leptospirosis in People
Leptospirosis can be passed from infected dogs to people through contact with body fluids. For people caring for dogs diagnosed with leptospirosis or dogs suspected of being infected with leptospirosis, caution must be exercised.
When handling bodily fluids or cleaning up vomit, feces or urine, gloves should be worn and hands washed thoroughly after the task is completed. Gloves should also be worn when handling the infected animal.
Young children should not be allowed to handle pets infected with leptospirosis or those suspected of being infected with leptospirosis due to the severity of the disease and the likelihood of transmission.
Leptospirosis can be Deadly for Dogs
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