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.
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.
Do All Dogs Need the Leptospirosis Vaccine?
“Noncore” is not synonymous with “not important,” so dont immediately dismiss the lepto vaccine based on its categorization. The disease can cause kidney failure, liver failure, severe lung disease, and bleeding disorders and can be fatal. Instead, you should talk with your veterinarian to determine your dogs exposure risk.
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by an infection with Leptospira bacteria. According to Bailey, Leptospira has multiple serovars, or forms, that dictate where it can be found and which species carry it. “Rodent urine, bodies of water, livestock, wildlife, and even dirt can be contaminated with Leptospira bacteria,” she explains. “Warm, moist climates are also over-represented when looking at areas of high infection rates.”
Leptospirosis can be transmitted to dogs when their mucous membranes (e.g. nose, mouth) or skin openings (e.g. cuts, wounds) come into contact with infected urine, soil, or water. They can also contract the disease by eating or being bitten by an infected animal.
Bailey says that your dogs lifestyle is an important consideration when determining whether your dog should receive the leptospirosis vaccine. She notes that your dog is at a greater risk of disease if they:
However, Bailey says that even small breed dogs who mostly live indoors or in urban environments run the risk of exposure. “In fact,” she continues, “some reports indicate that small breed dogs make up the majority of hospitalized leptospirosis cases due to their lack of vaccination. These pups can be exposed in their own backyards by drinking from a contaminated puddle or by encountering an infected rodent or other wildlife.”
Still, there are some cases in which Bailey wouldnt necessarily recommend the vaccine. These include dogs with little to no risk of exposure and dogs with a history of vaccine reactions or some autoimmune diseases.
Your dogs veterinarian, who knows your pets specific health history and lifestyle, is in the best position to help you decide if your dog is a good candidate for the lepto vaccine.
Should your dog be vacinated for leptospirosis
This is one of the most divisive subjects to stir debate within the dog world in recent years. Most UK vets advise routinely vaccinating dogs against leptospirosis (commonly called lepto) as part of their yearly booster injection. This also protects against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza.
Vaccines are now available to protect dogs against all four major strains of lepto present in the UK or common in Europe; Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Australis and Gryippotyphosa. These ‘L4’ vaccines supersede the two-strain (L2) version which have been used in the UK for over 50 years.