Dog's Diseases

Leptosporosis

What is lepto?
Leptosporisis is caused by a special type of bacterium called a spirochete. Dogs become infected by leptospires when either damaged or normal skin comes into contact with infected urine or with water contaminated with infected urine. The organisms quickly spread through the bloodstream leading to fever, joint pain, and dullness which can last up to a week. The organism settles in either the liver or the kidneys and begins to reproduce, leading to further inflammation and eventual organ failure. Leptospirosis is a life-threatening disease and it can infect people as well.

How to protect against leptospirosis?
Protection against leptospirosis is achieved through vaccination. Unfortunately there are over 200 subtypes of the spirochetes and vaccination may not protect against all subtypes. Most of the standard vaccinations used in Hong Kong offer some protection against leptospirosis but with the exception of one commercial lepto vaccine the protection period is only 6 months. Dogs who live in areas at risk should be vaccinated 6 monthly or yearly with a specific leptospirosis vaccine.