Description

There has been a lot of awareness in recent years as to vaccines, and their side effects on humans and our precious pets. One of those is the shot for leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that affects many mammals, and can also be passed to humans. A vaccine has been widely distributed since 1999.  There have been reports of reactions in a small percentage of animals given the treatment, and most are controlled by medications at the veterinarian office. 

But for those who aren't familiar with exactly what leptospirosis is, let's get an understanding of the cause, origins, and effects that this often understated ailment involves. 

DISCOVERY OF LEPTOSPIROSIS

Leptospirosis is transmitted to dogs through direct contact with contaminated urine, water or soil. The bacteria can survive in water or moist soil for a long time, sometimes for many months, and infected dogs can continue to shed bacteria in their urine for years. What many pet owners don’t realize is that leptospirosis, when left untreated, can be fatal. 

The bacteria that cause Leptospirosis are spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months. Humans and animals can become infected through contact with this contaminated urine (or other body fluids, except saliva), water, or soil. The bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch. Drinking contaminated water can also cause infection. Infected wild and domestic animals may continue to excrete the bacteria into the environment continuously or every once in a while for a few months up to several years.

Humans can develop leptospirosis by walking through areas that wildlife (or their own pets) frequent wearing nothing but flip-flops, sands or going barefoot. Yards which have sprinkler systems that keep a soil moist are also areas for concern because watering grasses and shrubs are designed to schedule a maintenance level of water in the landscaping, furthering the favorable reproductive environment. 

HOW DO DOGS GET LEPTOSPIROSIS?

Some dogs are at a higher risk of leptospirosis infection than other dogs. Dogs at higher risk include:

 

  • Dogs that hike, wade or swim in and/or near natural water
  • Hunting dogs
  • Dogs that are frequently exposed to flooded areas
  • Dogs that reside in rural areas where they could encounter wildlife or wildlife urine
  • Dogs that have frequent exposure to other dogs and dog urine at places like dog shows, dog parks and pet boarding facilities
  • Dogs that travel widely and have contact with other dogs and/or other animals (including chickens)
  • Dogs which reside in residential areas frequented by wild animals including deer, rodents, water birds, squirrels, raccoons, feral pigs, rabbits and more...Lawns which use sprinkler systems are an environment which promotes moist soil that dogs and humans walk through and that the Leptospira bacteria can live in. 

 The bacteria can enter the body through the nose, mouth, eyes or through “a break in the skin.” Drinking contaminated water can also cause infection.

Your pet could pick up the disease from something as simple as walking through an infected stream orr rainwater puddles, and then licking their paws. 

 SYMPTOMS OF LEPTOSPIROSIS

The clinical signs of leptospirosis vary and are nonspecific. Sometimes pets do not have any symptoms. Common clinical signs have been reported in dogs. These include:

  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Refusal to eat
  • Severe weakness and depression
  • Stiffness
  • Severe muscle pain
  • Inability to have puppies

Generally younger animals are more seriously affected than older animals.

What are the signs of leptospirosis?

Many Leptospira infections go undetected, but other cases can be life-threatening. Certain strains (serovars) of Leptospira are more likely to be associated with disease than other strains.

There are three main forms of the disease:

1. Hemorrhagic (bleeding). In hemorrhagic disease there is high fever with lethargy and loss of appetite. Multiple small hemorrhages (areas of bleeding) occur in the mouth and on the whites of the eyes. Bloody diarrhea and vomiting may occur. This form is often fatal.

2. Icteric or jaundice (liver). The icteric or jaundice form begins like the hemorrhagic form and many of the clinical signs are the same. An additional clinical sign is the presence of a yellow color (jaundice or icterus) in the mouth and whites of the eyes. In severe cases, the skin will turn yellow.

3. Renal (kidney). The renal form causes kidney failure. These dogs are very lethargic, anorectic (unwilling to eat), and may vomit. Their breath may have an offensive odor, and ulcers often develop on the tongue. Other signs include diarrhea, excessive drinking (polydipsia), and excessively frequent urination (polyuria). There may be red staining of the urine (caused by blood). The dog may be reluctant to move and show abdominal discomfort. Fever is variable and temperature may actually be below normal in the more advanced stage. Dogs that survive the acute renal form may be left with chronic kidney disease.

IN HUMANS

In humans, the time between a person’s exposure to a contaminated source and becoming sick is 2 days to 4 weeks. Illness usually begins abruptly with fever and other symptoms. Leptospirosis may occur in two phases:

After the first phase (with fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea) the patient may recover for a time but become ill again.

If a second phase occurs, it is more severe; the person may have kidney or liver failure or meningitis.

The illness lasts from a few days to 3 weeks or longer. Without treatment, recovery may take several months. In underdeveloped countries worldwide, the leptospirosis infections have a mortality rate of 10% per the WHO.

LEPTOSPIROSIS VACCINES FOR DOGS

There has been a vaccine in use for dogs for 22 years, and is highly effective in controlling most of the strains that affect canines, however not all strains are prevented.

The injection is not part of the young dog/puppy regimen, and is an option you can discuss with your veterinarian. Of all the vaccines given to pets, this one does show a higher rate of reaction, but it can be mitigated with medications upon the onset of any allergic symptoms.

VACCINE REACTIONS

Can the vaccine cause side-effects?

Modern vaccines are extremely effective and safe. Many pets experience mild side effects following vaccination, similar to those that humans experience. Other less common but more serious side effects can occur within minutes to hours after vaccination. Vaccine reactions can be controlled medically, so if you are concerned call your veterinarian immediately.

Vaccine reactions are more likely to occur if many different vaccinations are given at the same time. Vaccine recommendations should always be based on individual pet lifestyle, so speak to your veterinarian to determine whether this vaccine is recommended for your pet.

Reactions to the leptospirosis vaccine usually take the form of lethargy for a few days and possibly loss of appetite. In some dogs an anaphylactic shock-like reaction may occur shortly after vaccination. Miniature Dachshunds and West Highland White Terriers seem to have slightly increased risk for this type of reaction. Other dogs may develop a skin rash (urticaria), apparent on hairless areas.

As a Schnauzer owner for over 45 years, the best method for keeping your pet healthy is to prevent infections. The biggest challenge is that Leptospirosis builds over time going from just a few days after infection to several weeks. Dogs do not exhibit severe symptoms until usually too late, then all you do is manage the organ damage to their kidneys, heart and eyes until they pass away. My method is to proactively manage the prevention of this scenario and if reactions to the shot arise, they are easily treated with a medication. 

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