Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is carried by common wildlife and rodents, especially raccoons and opossums. This disease causes high fever, jaundice, vomiting, and in severe cases, fatal liver and kidney damage. Leptospirosis is not limited to dogs. Humans can become infected as well. Vaccines against canine leptospirosis have been available for many years and offered protection against two different strains of the disease. However, recent research has shown that other strains of the disease have emerged. Because leptospiral vaccines are strain-specific, vaccines were not able to protect against these newer strains.
Fortunately, a new vaccine has been introduced that offers dogs protection against the older strains of leptospirosis and two additional strains, L. grippotyphosa and L. pomona. We are now offering this vaccine at our hospital to protect your dog from this re-emerging disease. Canine leptospirosis is a dangerous threat to dogs, and we are now recommending this new vaccine for our canine patients.
The vaccine is given in a two dose series. Your dog will receive an initial dose of vaccine, followed by a booster given two to three weeks after the first. After this initial series, the vaccine will be given annually.
Please feel free to call our doctors or technicians at 773.525.3353 to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about leptospirosis or the vaccine.
Determining Risks for Leptospirosis
- Are there raccoons, rodents or opossums in your area?
- Does your pet drink from puddles, ponds, streams or other water sources?
- Does your pet interact with livestock?
- Does your pet live in an area that has recently changed from rural to urban?
