There has seen a significant increase in the number of critical patients admitted with leptospirosis since the pandemic, say the vets at Davies Veterinary Specialists.
Prior to the pandemic, the team at Davies would manage two or three cases a year, whereas now they are seeing a case more or less every month. Here they explain all you need to know about this potentially fatal disease.
What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by a bacteria called Leptospira. There are many different types (or serovars) of Leptospira. The dominant serovars vary from one region to another and one country to another.
How do dogs get leptospirosis?
Dogs usually become infected when they come into contact with water or soil that has been contaminated with urine from wild or domestic animals infected with leptospirosis.
Many wild mammals can carry leptospirosis and act as a source of infection for dogs, however, rodents, especially rats, are usually considered the most important carriers. The bacteria can survive in the environment for several months and even replicate in the environment under optimal conditions (i.e. waterlogged soil).
Routes of infection include ingestion (i.e. drinking from contaminated water sources) or the bacteria can cross the gums, any cuts of abrasions and enter the body via the conjunctiva in the eye. Dogs can get leptospirosis at any time of year, but in UK there may be an increase in infections in autumn/winter and following periods of heavy rainfall or flooding.
What are the symptoms of leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis in dogs causes sudden kidney failure and or sudden liver disease (rarely liver failure).
The signs that a dog with an infection would show are variable, but usually consist of being off-food, vomiting/ diarrhoea, increased thirst or urination, progressive lethargy and dullness.
Leptospirosis can also cause bleeding into the lungs in some dogs, meaning they can present with coughing or breathing difficulties. On closer examination, jaundice (yellow) gums might be noticed or very dark (yellow/brown) urine. Normally these clinical signs are acute in onset.
Can leptospirosis be treated?
Treatment of leptospirosis involves specific therapy in the form of antibiotics to kill the leptospira bacteria, alongside supportive treatments such as intravenous fluid therapy, anti-sickness medications, pain killers and liver protective medications.
Dogs with bleeding into their lungs can sometimes require oxygen therapy. If the kidneys stop working altogether, then renal replacement therapies (such as dialysis) can be considered in the hope that the kidney function might recover with support and time.
Can you vaccinate dogs against leptospirosis?
Yes, we are lucky enough to have effective vaccines available to protect against leptospirosis. There are multiple different types (serovars) of leptospirosis in UK and there are different vaccines available that cover two or more of the most important serovars.
Depending on the brand of vaccine your vet uses, on your dog’s vaccination card, you might see a sticker that has a ‘L’ then a number either 2 or 4 (i.e. L2 or L4). The 'L' stands for leptospirosis, whereas the number tells you how many serovars that vaccine covers.
Historically in the UK, protecting dogs against two serovars was adequate, however other serovars have since become more problematic and thus protecting dogs against more than two serovars is now recommended.
What is the prognosis for a dog with leptospirosis?
The prognosis for dogs with leptospirosis varies depending on the severity of the infection and how quickly and intensively they are treated. Some dogs, especially young or unvaccinated dogs, may not survive even with intensive treatment. If the dog develops significant organ damage or bleeding into the lungs the prognosis can be grave. However, many dogs with leptospirosis respond very well to treatment and have an excellent prognosis.
The key message for pet-owners is to speak to your vet and have your dog vaccinated against Leptospirosis to minimise the risk of them getting this potentially life-threatening disease. Although a low risk, as it can also be spread to humans from dogs, this also helps protect you and your family.
What other animals does it affect?
In companion animals, this clinical disease is seen most commonly in dogs. Cats can contract leptospirosis, but clinical signs associated with infection are much rarer. It has also been linked to eye problems in horses.
Outside the companion animal world, leptospirosis can cause clinical disease in farm animals, for example it can cause abortion and infertility in cattle and pigs.
Can humans get leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infection, which means humans can catch it from animals. It is extremely rare for humans to catch leptospirosis from an infected dog, but dairy farmers are at particular risk of contracting from urine splashing in the milking parlour if one of their cows is infected.
Humans can also catch it from the environment, typically from water sports (for example canoeing and kayaking, wild swimming, paddleboarding, triathlon or whitewater rafting). In people, it is often called ‘Weil’s disease’.
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Owned by Linnaeus, Davies Veterinary Specialists is one of the largest and most diverse small animal referral hospitals in Europe with over 200 dedicated, experienced and passionate veterinary specialists, veterinary nurses and other veterinary professionals. Find them on Facebook or LinkedIn.
Main image: Parker, a dog who was nursed through leptospirosis by the team at Davies Veterinary Specialists and now lives with one of team’s nurses.