Should Your Dog Be Vaccinated For Leptospirosis?

Dr. Hillary Kelly at our Macklind AMCMA clinic is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in public health, and as part of her curriculum has assembled reporting on Leptospirosis, detailed in the article below!

Leptospirosis is a bacterial blood infection spread through the urine of infected animals. It can affect humans, dogs, rodents, and many other wild and domesticated animals. Dogs of any age, breed, or sex are at risk for infection- especially at risk are dogs with any amount of outdoor exposure (including rural, urban, and suburban), dogs with any exposure to wildlife (including deer, coyotes, rabbits, etc.), or dogs attending kennels, daycares, or communal dog parks.

Signs of a Leptospirosis infection include fever, shivering, lethargy, increased thirst, changes in urinary habits, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, jaundice, liver and/or kidney failure, and abnormal bleeding (bloody vomit, urine or stool; nosebleeds, bruising, etc.). Antibiotics are often used to treatment symptomatic animals, however, prevention is a much easier route!

The good news is that there is an effective vaccine for animals, and it is offered at AMCMA! Any dog or puppy 12 weeks of age or older is able to get vaccinated. Ask your doctor about Leptospirosis vaccination at your next appointment.

Call us today to schedule at (314) 951-1534.