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Leptospirosis & Your Pet: What You Need to Know

Dec 15, 2025 | Blog

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by Leptospira. It affects dogs (most commonly), cats (very rarely), and many wild, farm, and domestic animals. It can also pass to people, making it a zoonotic risk. These bacteria thrive in warm, wet environments, such as after rain, flooding, or in puddles and stagnant water.

How Your Pet Contracts It

Dogs typically catch leptospirosis by:

  • Drinking or swimming in contaminated water (ponds, streams)

  • Contact with urine from infected wildlife (rodents, raccoons, skunks)

  • Through skin wounds, mucous membranes, or even from birth. 

  • Cats can become carriers, even though illness is rare, they may still shed the bacteria in their urine 

Signs to Watch For

Symptoms vary from mild to life-threatening. Early red flags include:

  • Fever, lethargy, muscle/joint pain

  • Loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea

  • Increased thirst or urination

  • Jaundice (yellow gums or eyes), dehydration 

In severe cases, complications can include:

  • Kidney or liver failure

  • Bleeding issues, respiratory distress

  • Swollen limbs or severe fluid buildup 

Because symptoms overlap with other diseases, vets often order blood tests, urinalysis, ultrasound, PCR testing, and antibody assays for a clear diagnosis 

Treatment & Recovery

Early intervention is key:

  • Antibiotics 

  • Supportive care: IV fluids, medications, nutritional support

  • Severe cases may need dialysis or oxygen therapy 

If caught early, recovery is possible, but organ damage may be permanent. 

Prevention Strategies

1. Vaccination

  • Vaccines for dogs are available and highly recommended.

  • Latest guidelines (AAHA) now consider it a core vaccine for dogs 

2. Environmental precautions

  • Keep pets away from puddles, stagnant water, and areas with wildlife activity 

  • Secure yards, clean up rodents promptly, and avoid letting pets drink from natural water sources 

3. Hygiene & safe care

If your pet is diagnosed, you can help prevent spread to humans and other animals by:

  • Following your vet’s antibiotic plan

  • Wearing gloves when cleaning urine

  • Washing hands thoroughly afterward 

Why It Matters to YOU

  • Zoonotic risk: Pet infections can potentially transmit to you or other family members 

  • Rapid onset: Even a healthy dog can deteriorate in a matter of days.

  • Prevention is much easier than treatment: Vaccination plus environmental hygiene drastically reduces risk—with minimal side effects.

Quick-Reference Guide

Action Why It Matters
1. Vaccinate your dog (annually) Provides strong protection against most common strains
2. Avoid unsafe water Prevents exposure to contaminated sources
3. Keep rodents at bay Reduces the main wildlife source of infection
4. Be observant Early signs = better treatment outcomes
5. Clean carefully Protects your family & other pets post-diagnosis

Bottom Line

Leptospirosis is a serious and growing health threat for pets (and people), especially in warm, wet conditions or areas exposed to wildlife. The good news? It’s largely preventable through safe vaccines, environmental precautions, and prompt care.

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