You may have seen media reports this week of a new outbreak of leptospirosis in Sydney with a small number of dogs being diagnosed and some becoming quite ill. As far as we are aware, there have been no reported new cases in Melbourne this year but where there are rats, there is always a risk of leptospirosis infection in dogs and subsequently in humans. Show Although leptospirosis is not a disease seen commonly in Melbourne, you might still have some questions about the disease so hopefully this article will answer most of them, if not all. What is leptospirosis?Leptospirosis is the disease caused by bacteria in the Leptospira species. Leptospira bacteria are found worldwide, including in Australia. The bacteria thrive in warm, damp conditions and outbreaks are common in areas that have had recent flooding. It is generally rare in Australia however there has been another recent outbreak in New South Wales that has put this disease back in the spotlight. How does leptospirosis spread? It is sometimes referred to as ‘rat’s disease’ as rats are the most common carriers and spreaders of leptospirosis. Is leptospirosis dangerous? What are the symptoms of Leptospirosis in dogs?
It is important to note that the earliest signs of leptospirosis can look very similar to a lot of other diseases so its always worth getting a sick pet checked by a vet. Can it be treated? Is there a vaccine for leptospirosis? The vaccine is only available for dogs, not for cats. Is my dog at risk?
Can humans catch Leptospirosis from dogs? Symptoms of Leptospirosis in humans include:
Leptospirosis can also lead to more serious diseases in humans, so it is important to go to a doctor if your dog is suspected of having Leptospirosis. How do I protect myself if this can spread to humans? If you have any concerns about your dogs health, please book an appointment to see one of our vets.
This uncommon disease has been detected in some areas of Melbourne and Sydney. The disease, known as Leptospirosis, took the lives of dogs in Sydney and Melbourne in late 2019 and most recently there has been an outbreak in Sydney’s Inner West (August 2020). Here’s everything you need to know to keep your pet safe: What is Leptospirosis?The disease is caused by bacteria that spreads through infected rat urine. Dogs can contract it via food, bedding, or most commonly stagnant water that has become contaminated. It enters the body by contact with the mouth, entering through broken skin or by swallowing infected water. Cats can become infected too but it is rare. There have been no reported cat cases to date in these areas. What are the symptoms?The symptoms are generally seen 7 days after exposure to the bacteria and include being off food, lethargic, vomiting, diarrhoea and yellow colouring to the whites of the eyes. In some cases, death can occur. Signs may appear mild at first, but please don’t delay. A quick response could make all the difference. What do I do if my dog is experiencing the above symptoms?The disease can be life threatening so please urgently contact your Greencross Vets or closest emergency vet if you suspect your pet is unwell. Make sure you visit your vet if your dog shows any signs of illness e.g. not eating, lethargy, vomiting or diarrhoea. Don’t delay treatment even if signs are mild. Find a vet What can I do to protect my dog?You can help your dog by speaking with the professional team at your local Greencross Vets clinic to discuss vaccination. There is a vaccine available to protect against a common strain of this disease. This is an additional vaccine that often is not part of the standard vaccination protocol for many pets so please ask your vet about it if you live in an area where Leptospirosis has been detected. If your pet visits areas where Leptospirosis has been detected, or locations where there are a lot of rats, we strongly recommend vaccination to protect your pet from Leptospirosis. Speak with your Greencross Vets team today to discuss your pet’s individual needs. If your pet is a member of Healthy Pets Plus this vaccine is available and included as part of your pet’s membership. We recommend the following to keep your pet safe:
Are humans susceptible?Leptospirosis can infect humans, too. Care must be taken to reduce exposure to rats or to the urine from a dog infected with Leptospirosis. If you have any concerns, seek medical advice right away. As always, please reach out to your local Greencross Vet with any additional questions or concerns. Book NOW
 It’s scary to think that a fun stroll through the woods or swim in a favorite watering hole can lead to a terrible illness, but it can –– for you as well as your dog. Leptospirosis is caused by a bacteria spread through soil, water, and the urine of infected animals, and if not caught early it can be deadly. There is a vaccine available for the most common subtypes of the bacteria that infect dogs, but it’s not always a recommended part of the routine vaccination protocol. Ask your veterinarian if the leptospirosis vaccine is right for your dog. Leptospirosis is a potentially serious disease caused by the bacterium Leptospira interrogans. It affects dogs but can also infect a wide variety of domestic and wild animals as well as humans. The organism is usually spread through infected urine, but contaminated water or soil, reproductive secretions, and even consumption of infected tissues can also transmit the infection. Introduction of the organism through skin wounds can also occur. Common carriers of the organism include raccoons, opossums, rodents, skunks, and dogs. The leptospirosis organisms rapidly advance through the bloodstream leading to fever, joint pain, and general malaise. Because the organism settles in the kidneys and actually reproduces there, inflammation and even kidney failure may develop. Unfortunately, liver failure is another common sequela to infection. Kidney and liver failure both have deadly consequences. Prevention of leptospirosis via vaccination is complicated by the fact that Leptospira interrogans has more than 200 subtypes that can cause illness in animals and people. The available vaccines protect against only a handful of the most common subtypes that infect dogs, which limits their protective value. Nevertheless, the available vaccines are effective and safe when used as directed, and many veterinarians recommend the vaccination for dogs at risk for exposure. The leptospirosis vaccine is a non-core vaccine, which means it is an optional vaccine that dogs can benefit from based on risk for exposure to the disease. Veterinarians will recommend this vaccine based on a dog’s lifestyle and reasonable exposure risk. Vaccination decisions should always be made in consultation with a veterinarian so they can be tailored to meet a dog’s individual needs. The American Animal Hospital Association’s vaccination guidelines recommend the following schedule for leptospirosis vaccination:
Administering a vaccine is a medical procedure, and there are times when a vaccine may not be recommended. For example, your veterinarian may advise against vaccinating an animal that is currently sick, pregnant, or may not have adequate immune system functioning to respond to a vaccination. These and other issues are evaluated when deciding what is best for your dog. According to some anecdotal reports, toy breeds are susceptible to anaphylactic reactions to the leptospirosis vaccine. Routine vaccination for these breeds should only be considered for those who have a high risk of exposure. Exposure to leptospirosis can be reduced by preventing your dog from drinking from puddles of standing water or from swimming in lakes, streams, or other bodies of water that may be contaminated. Unfortunately, for dogs that are accustomed to an active outdoor lifestyle that includes swimming, these precautions may not be practical. Humans can also become infected with leptospirosis, so handle dogs suspected of having the disease with care. Adhere to good hygiene techniques, such as frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with potentially contaminated urine.
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