Is vaccination against leptospirosis even necessary?
Leptospirosis is a relatively rare disease and, if diagnosed early, is treatable. But diagnosing lepto is challenging. The symptoms of leptospirosis can be vague and resemble those seen with many other diseases. External laboratories take time to process and run tests which leads to an unavoidable delay in treatment. During this time, lepto can rapidly progress causing serious illness and, sadly, even death. Vaccination prevents dogs from becoming seriously ill in the first place.
Leptospirosis affects most mammalian species (humans included!) Infected animals (particularly rats) contaminate fresh water sources (e.g. canals, ponds, rivers) with their urine. Animals contract leptospirosis by swimming in, and drinking, contaminated water or through open skin wounds. Both city-dwelling and country rats carry lepto therefore dogs can contract it wherever they live. It’s impossible to ‘risk assess’ a dog’s lifestyle and guarantee they’ll never come into contact with lepto.
The words “not 100% effective” in the above quote are an understatement. Keep reading to find out why the leptospirosis vaccine is not only ineffective, but potentially quite dangerous for your dog.
Leptospirosis is a contagious disease that can affect both humans and animals. It’s spread by infection with Leptospira, bacterial pathogens that can cause liver and kidney disease in dogs. The bacteria is usually spread through direct contact with infected urine or indirectly through contaminated vegetation, soil, food or water, In cities, the urine of rats and other rodents can spread the disease.
Here’s a summary of what you need to know about the lepto vaccine before deciding to give it to your dog.
Healthy dogs who come in contact with the bacteria may never exhibit symptoms. And in most cases, lepto is highly treatable when it’s recognized early. Learn these symptoms so you can catch it quickly if your dog gets infected. The illness can develop quickly so take your dog to the vet immediately if you suspect lepto infection.
Leptospirosis vaccine reactions are quite frequent. It’s important to weigh the risks of vaccinating vs not vaccinating very carefully.
Dr. Ken Tudor Holistic Veterinarian
Dog Vaccine Primer 11/ Does My Dog Need a Leptospirosis Vaccination?
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This summer, the Los Angeles Public Health Department reported a significant increase in cases of canine leptospirosis (lepto) in the western regions of Los Angeles County. Because leptospirosis is potentially contagious to people, public health officials monitor such outbreaks. But was the outbreak significant enough and widespread enough to be concerned about having your dog vaccinated for leptospirosis? The answer is maybe yes or maybe no. We hope the contents of this blog help you with the decision to vaccinate or not.
What is leptospirosis, how do dogs catch it, and how is it treated?
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Leptospirosis (lepto) is a bacteria that is carried by dogs, mice, rats, raccoons, opossums, and other small wildlife that are common in our area. Dogs are infected by drinking water that has been contaminated by the urine of the wildlife. Outside water bowls, fountains, ponds, areas of shallow standing water like marshes and small lakes can also be contaminated. The lepto found in LA is a type that is passed from dog to dog by urine or saliva ingestion from an infected dog or water contaminated by the urine or saliva of an infected dog. After ingestion, the bacteria finds its way to the kidneys and/or liver and causes kidney or liver failure (5-14 days). Early symptoms are lethargy, fever, decreased appetite. As the condition begins to cause kidney or liver dysfunction dogs drink excessively, vomit, have diarrhea, and become extremely dehydrated and weak. This is when owners typically seek veterinary care and hospitalization.
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When dogs are hospitalized, lab work indicates kidney and sometimes liver dysfunction. Veterinarians suspicious of lepto will run specific urine and lab tests to confirm the infection. Once the diagnosis is made, treatment with common antibiotics readily rid the kidneys of the bacteria and allows the dog to recover uneventfully. Dogs diagnosed very late with the disease may experience permanent kidney damage or liver damage.
Recent Outbreak Data
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As of July, there have been 120 reported cases of Leptospirosis in the west LA area. 103 (86%) were confirmed as lepto infections and 17 (14%) were presumed. 100 (83%) of cases had associations with recent boarding or daycare facility or dog park exposure. Most lepto in the LA basin prior to this outbreak is caused by wildlife contaminated water. The cause and reason for this recent outbreak is unclear as 88% of the cases were associated with facilities where dog-to-dog contact is the only source of infection.
Leptospirosis Vaccines
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For years, veterinarians have stopped vaccinating for leptospirosis because vaccine reactions were extremely common. The low risk of disease just didnât justify the risk of post-vaccination adverse reactions. Worse, to be fully effective, lepto vaccines need to be given every six months!Â
Mobile Dog Groomers offer another way to avoid exposure to Leptosporosis
If owners avoid boarding/daycare facilities and dog parks, seek mobile grooming options and do not leave water bowls outdoors, and prevent wildlife access to fountains and ponds, we feel the risk of disease is low.Â
Because leptospirosis vaccine is not available mercury-free, needs twice-yearly injections, and has a reputation for vaccination reactions, we are presently not offering the vaccines. If you want to continue using boarding/daycare facilities, grooming facilities, and dog parks and wish to have your dog protected, you may wish to seek the vaccine from alternative sources (another veterinarian, vaccination clinics, etc.).
As always, when doing any sort of medical intervention, it is a matter of weighing your risks. I hope this article has helped you understand the issues to consider. AuthorKen Tudor DVM
Dr. Ken Tudor is a recognized expert and leader in the field of pet nutrition and fitness. He has developed a pet weight management program and served on the American Animal Hospital Association task force to develop their Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. He is also a frequent guest on the Pet World Insider radio show and a popular guest on the televised Pet Ex Talks-Pet Experts Empowering Pet Parents show.
Should your dog be vacinated for leptospirosis
The world of canine vaccines is divided into two categories: core and noncore. Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs and include canine parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis, and rabies. Recommendations for noncore vaccines, on the other hand, are based on a dogs exposure risk and typically consider their lifestyle and geographic location.
The canine leptospirosis (lepto) vaccine belongs to the latter category and is an important consideration for every dog owner. Thats because in addition to having serious consequences in dogs, leptospirosis is zoonotic, meaning it can spread from pets to their people. In fact, its one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world.
Deciding whether your dog needs the lepto vaccine ultimately comes down to a conversation between you and your veterinary team. However, Laura Bailey, DVM, co-owner of Bridges Professional Park Animal Hospital in Morehead City, N.C., is here to help sort through what to expect.