December 2010

Understanding the Threat of Leptospirosis in Dogs

Dear Doctor: My veterinarian recommended a Leptospirosis vaccine for my dog, but my breeder said I should not get this vaccine for him. What do you recommend?

Signed,

Kim in Stevens Point

First of all, it may help to understand a bit about Leptospirosis in order for you to make the best decision for your dog. Leptospirosis is a type of bacterial infection that has been associated with liver disease, and/or kidney failure in dogs. It is transmitted through the urine of an infected animal, which generally results in contamination of the environment. If the conditions are damp and shaded, Leptospirosis can survive in the environment for several months. When a dog ingests infected urine (e.g. by drinking a contaminated puddle of water or eating wet grass), it is possible for that dog to develop the disease. Once thought to be an uncommon problem, an article from the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory indicates there may be at least one dog per week with confirmed exposure to Leptospirosis from the samples submitted to the lab. The disease seems to be a rising concern for our pets.

Leptospirosis is subdivided into separate types, or "serovars". In Wisconsin, we are most concerned with grippotyphosa (accounts for more than half of the positive tests), followed by pomona and bratislava. Additional serovars include canicola, autumnalis and icterohaemorrhagiae. The disease is transmitted by other dogs, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, skunks, pigs and horses. The original vaccine for Leptospirosis only protected against two serovars, and was often associated with adverse allergic vaccine reactions. As a result, many veterinarians did not continue to offer the vaccine to their patients, and many breeders warned against vaccination for their newly adopted puppies. In recent years, reputable vaccine manufacturers have developed a vaccine that offers protection against four of the common serovars (there is not a vaccine that protects against bratislava or autumnalis at this time). The newer vaccines are reported to be effective for one year (in the past, the vaccine was not protective for this long), and the vaccine is well tolerated by all breeds of dogs.

Since we have an increased risk of infection in Wisconsin, I believe it is wise to protect our pets from Leptospirosis. The infection can cause liver disease and/or kidney disease in affected pets, which may cause severe illness or even death. The disease can be treated, especially if diagnosed early. While the vaccine is not one hundred percent protective, it is still considered to be very good. The new vaccines allow your veterinarian to provide an additional safeguard against a serious disease for dogs in central Wisconsin.