PROTECT YOUR PETS AND YOURSELF FROM LEPTOSPIROSIS

Annual Vaccination Can Help Prevent The Bacterial Disease

Written by: Ava Grace

Unlike fleas—which your pets can pass to you—leptospirosis, aka lepto, offers more concern than bites and itching. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can cause fever, increased thirst, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy and jaundice (making the lining of the mouth and the whites of the eyes turn yellow). It can even lead to death.

“A big concern with catching leptospirosis is that it can cause renal (kidney) failure,” says Dr. Alexis Lanser, a veterinarian at Van Roekel & Associates in North Fort Myers. It is a zoonotic disease—meaning it can be spread from animals to humans, so kidney failure is a concern for all parties.

While dogs to humans is the most common transmission, the disease can spread to humans from cats (rare), cattle, pigs, horses, rodents and wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, opossum, rats and deer. Leptospirosis transmission occurs through skin cuts, mucus membranes and conjunctiva (eyes and eyelids).

Southwest Florida, this disease is concerning. “However, there is a yearly vaccination that can help prevent leptospirosis,” explains Lanser.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that in the U.S., approximately 100 to 150 cases of leptospirosis are reported annually. Puerto Rico reports the majority of leptospirosis cases, followed by Hawaii. More than 1 million cases occur worldwide annually, leading to almost 60,000 deaths.

The best thing you can do is vaccinate your pet. If a dog has never had a vaccination, it must be boostered once—three to four weeks after the initial dose.

So how is leptospirosis diagnosed? “A thorough workup is required,” Lanser says. Because the disease has common symptoms—such as lethargy, vomiting, dehydration and fever—which can be found in other illnesses, a full diagnostic workup is required.

The disease generally spreads through an infected animal’s urine. Infections can also occur by contact with water (including flood water), soil or food that has been contaminated with the infected animal’s urine. Outbreaks tend to occur after heavy rainfall. The bacteria can survive for weeks and even months in urine-contaminated water and soil. The incubation period can be up to 30 days and most infections are asymptomatic.

Although the disease can occur anywhere, leptospirosis thrives in warm, wet climates with high average rainfall. In

“We start with a history of the pet and a series of questions,” adds Lanser. The questions may include: Is the dog vaccinated? Does it go outside? Is there wildlife on your property or in areas where you take your dog?

Although not definitive, bloodwork can also help pinpoint clues and is often a diagnostic starting point. X-rays are typically performed to rule out other concerns that have similar symptoms. There are two definitive tests for leptospirosis: “The DNA-PCR test detects the DNA of Leptospira. This test is faster and less expensive than the other, the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), and is the preferred one,” Lanser says.

If your pet shows signs of leptospirosis, seek veterinary help as soon as possible. Also, contact your personal physician if your pet shows signs of leptospirosis or has been diagnosed with it. Early treatment is also critical for the pet owner. FCM