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Canine Leptospirosis

What is leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease of dogs and other mammals that particularly affects the liver or kidneys. There are many species of Leptospira and the traditional types affecting dogs are Leptospira canicola and L. icterohemorrhagiae. In recent years other species have become important in some areas. These “serovars” include L. pomona, L. grippotyphosa, L. australis, and L. bratislava. There are other serovars that may infect dogs without apparently causing any signs or disease.

How common is leptospirosis?

Infections of dogs with L. icterohemorrhagiae and L. canicola are uncommon in areas where widespread vaccination of dogs has been practiced for many years. Outbreaks of the disease are still seen from time to time. As mentioned above, these may now involve serovars of Leptospira that have not traditionally been recognized in dogs, and which are not protected against by the traditional vaccines.

How are dogs infected?

Leptospira bacteria are carried mainly by rats and other rodents, but can also affect almost any mammalian species, including people. Infected or recovered "carrier" dogs can also act as a source of the infection. Ingestion of infected urine or rodent-contaminated garbage is the most important means of transmission, but some forms of the bacteria can penetrate damaged or thin skin. For instance, when dogs swim in contaminated water, they may become infected through their skin. The incubation period (from infection to onset of clinical signs) is usually 4-12 days.

What are the signs of leptospirosis?

Many infections go undetected, but other cases can be life-threatening. Certain strains (serovars) of Leptospira are more likely to be associated with disease than other strains, and the icterohemorrhagiae serovar is perhaps the most dangerous.

There are three main forms of the disease: hemorrhagic (bleeding), icteric or jaundice (liver), and renal (kidney).

In hemorrhagic disease there is high fever with lethargy and loss of appetite. Multiple small hemorrhages occur in the mouth and on the whites of the eyes. Bloody diarrhea and vomiting may occur. This form is often fatal.

The jaundice form begins much like the hemorrhagic form and many of the signs are the same. It differs in the presence of a yellow color (jaundice or icterus) in the mouth and whites of the eyes. In severe cases the skin will turn yellow.

The renal form causes kidney failure. These dogs are very lethargic, anorectic, and may vomit. Their breath may have a very offensive odor, and ulcers often develop on the tongue. Other signs include diarrhea, excessive drinking (polydipsia) and excessively frequent urination (polyuria). There may be red staining of the urine (blood). The dog may be reluctant to move and show abdominal discomfort. Fever is variable and temperature may actually be subnormal in the more advanced stage. Dogs that survive the acute renal form may be left with chronic kidney disease.

How is leptospirosis diagnosed?

Because the clinical signs are variable and easily confused with other diseases, definite diagnosis can be difficult. There are no readily available rapid and definitive laboratory tests. Taking blood samples during infection and again in the recovery period and showing an increase in antibodies to Leptospira in the blood serum (at least a four-fold increase in antibody titer) is supportive of the diagnosis. A single test finding of Leptospira antibody, even if the level (titer) is high, may not mean that the dog has Leptospirosis because infection with less harmful serovars can still result in high antibody.

What is the treatment?

Antibiotics are reasonably effective if begun early. Most affected dogs require intensive care in the veterinary hospital. An extended course of antibiotics may be prescribed even in the recovery period to ensure that all the Leptospira organisms are cleared and the dog does not become a chronic carrier.

How can leptospirosis be prevented?

The vaccine for leptospirosis is not always part of the routine vaccination program for all dogs. Your veterinarian will consider the risks and options for your pet. Annual boosters may be needed to maintain best immunity.

Can the vaccine cause side-effects?

Of the components of a dog’s vaccination program, the portion for leptospirosis has been the more likely to cause a reaction. This usually takes the form of lethargy for a few days and possibly loss of appetite. But in some dogs (Miniature Dachshunds and West Highland White Terriers seem to have slightly increased risk) a more general shock-like reaction may occur shortly after vaccination. Other dogs may develop a skin rash (urticaria), apparent on hairless areas. These reactions can be controlled medically, so if you are concerned call your veterinarian immediately. Modern vaccine production methods, such as the use of “sub-unit’ or genetically manufactured vaccines may reduce the incidence of side effects.

NOTE: Leptospirosis can be transmitted to people, so owners of dogs that may have the disease should avoid contact between the owner’s bare skin and their dog’s urine, and wear rubber gloves when cleaning up any areas the dog may have soiled. Any areas where the dog has urinated should be disinfected. The organism is readily killed by household disinfectants or dilute bleach solution.

This client information sheet is based on material written by Ernest E. Ward Jr., DVM. © Copyright 2002 Lifelearn Inc. Used with permission under license. May 1, 2018.