Warning: If Your Dog Catches This Disease, So Can You

Our dogs may seem quite tough playing and living outdoors, but one thing they are not is invulnerable. Dogs can live in and enjoy nature at a level we can scarcely comprehend, but it doesn’t mean they’re immune to the many seen and unseen dangers lurking outside.

Today, we’re going to talk about one of the unseen dangers your dog could come across during his or her nature outings. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that enters the body through mucous membranes and spreads throughout the body via the bloodstream. The bacteria reproduce in the liver, kidneys, CNS, eyes, and reproductive system, causing serious organ damage that can become fatal if left untreated.

An animal that is infected with Leptospirosis may spread the disease through urination, since the bacteria attacks the kidneys and sheds through urine. While this is one of the main reasons why the disease is typically associated with rural areas (dogs roaming through nature are more likely to come across infected water, soil, or urine from wildlife), along with the fact that the bacteria is most likely to contaminate stagnant water, there have been reports of cities with large rat populations  hosting infected animals as well. And, since kennels and doggy daycare facilities house a large number of dogs from different backgrounds in close proximity to one another, those care facilities can also pose a risk to healthy dogs.

Symptoms and Treatment

Unfortunately, canines infected by leptospirosis won’t always show obvious symptoms. Even when an infected dog does show symptoms of the disease, they can range from any number of maladies, such as muscle aches, fever, lethargy, lost appetite, diarrhea, depression, yellowed eyes, excessive drinking and urination, and general malaise—which makes it especially difficult to diagnose without running a number of tests at the vet’s office.

There is a vaccine to guard against Leptospirosis, but it’s not a core (mandatory) vaccine. So, a dog is unlikely to be inoculated against the disease unless the professional who administered his or her shots decided that the dog would face a significant risk without it, due to factors such as the local climate and lifestyle of the dog. However, it’s important to remember that even if an unvaccinated dog becomes infected with Leptospirosis, the disease can still be treated through antibiotics.

Dogs that catch the disease but don’t develop symptoms will effectively become carriers for up to a year after infection. For this year, while the disease is still being shed through the urine, the carrier dog poses a risk to both other animals and humans any who come into contact with the infected bodily fluids.

So, what should responsible dog owners do to keep their pets safe from Leptospirosis? Well, again, there is a vaccine available that is designed to inoculate dogs against the bacteria, but some vets, such as Dr. Marty Becker at Healthy Pets, believe that the powerful adjuvant (immune system agitator) delivered in the vaccine brings its own risks as well. Since the disease is treatable, Dr. Becker recommends building up the immune system of the dog first instead of relying on the vaccine for protection.

Naturally, every dog is different, and each dog has its own health concerns and needs. While the decision of vaccination ultimately lies with you, the pet owner, be sure to have a serious talk with your pet healthcare professional about the dangers of Leptospirosis in your area, as well as the pros and cons of vaccinated prevention versus non-vaccinated prevention, before making your decision.