Leptospirosis is a condition caused by a bacterium.  It can affect animals and humans and it spreads primarily through contact with contaminated urine of infected animals such as wildlife and domestic pets.  The bacteria can survive in the soil for weeks to months and infected pets can continue to excrete the bacteria and contaminate the environment for months up to years. This disease can be potentially fatal to both pets and humans.

•     Fever
•     Vomiting
•     Diarrhea
•     Refusal to eat
•     Severe weakness and Depression
•     Stiffness
•     Muscle pain

*indoor cats have a very low risk of exposure

The post-exposure incubation period is usually 5-14 days but can be as short as a few days or as long as 30 days or more.

Vaccination, testing, and treatments are available. *no vaccine is available for cats at this time

If potential exposure is a concern, our recommendation is to limit or prevent exposure.  The patient should not visit daycare, boarding facilities, or dog parks.

Dogs should be walked on a leash for bathroom duties only and be closely monitored for clinical symptoms for 14-21 days. 

At the end of this period, if symptoms are present, testing is recommended.  If no clinical symptoms are present then vaccinations are recommended. 

The vaccine recommendation is 2 vaccines 4 weeks apart and a yearly booster thereafter.  

If your dog has had an examination by one of the VMC doctors within the last 12 months, you can schedule your appointment with a technician to start the two vaccination series. 

Dogs that have not been seen within the last 12 months by one of the VMC doctors will need to schedule a doctor’s appointment.