Your Need-to-Knows on Leptospirosis in Dogs and Cats

If you’ve been following recent health-related news reports, you’ve likely seen talk of cases of leptospirosis – or “lepto” – particularly in Hawke’s Bay. What you may not know is that leptospirosis can infect not only humans, but dogs too (and cats, but this is less common). This piece looks at what leptospirosis is in dogs and cats, and what you should do if your fur kid gets infected.

Hawke’s Bay’s otherwise dry summer was a wet one this year and this has been worsened by Cyclone Gabrielle. Leptospirosis is found in mud and stagnant water, which is why cases have spiked.

The Bay has had five times the usual number of leptospirosis cases reported, at 15 cases this year versus three cases for the same period last year. Interested to know more about the news reports? See here for one.

We care about educating pet owners so they can keep their pets safeguarded against illness, so we’ve answered the most asked questions about leptospirosis below. (By the way, find out what to do if you’ve found or lost a pet in a fire or flood as well as how to prepare for weather emergencies with pets.)

What is leptospirosis in dogs and cats?

Lepto is a zoonotic disease like Covid-19 and Lyme Disease, which means it can spread from animals to humans.

It’s a bacterial infection that can affect dogs, cats, cows and other animals, including humans. The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are typically found in soil and water and spread through contact with infected urine or other bodily fluids, such as blood or saliva.

As we’ve learned above, leptospirosis can spike at certain times due to weather changes. That’s when you need to be most diligent in looking out for it.

It can be life-threatening

Lepto can be a serious and potentially fatal disease in dogs especially, depending on how severe it is. The severity will depend on the pet’s age and overall health, and the strain of the bacteria involved. The bacteria that cause leptospirosis can damage their organs, particularly the kidneys and liver, which can lead to organ failure.

Leptospirosis isn’t as common in dogs (or cats) as some other infectious diseases, but it’s still a significant health concern for your canine companion especially.

Can cats get leptospirosis?

Apparently cats are far less at risk and it’s very uncommon for them to become unwell – hence no vaccine being available for them.

So, cats can get leptospirosis but aren’t anywhere near as commonly affected than dogs. This is thought to be because cats are less likely to be exposed to contaminated water sources, cats are generally less social than dogs (which lessens the likelihood of it spreading), and cats may be more resistant to lepto bacteria.

Cats can become infected if they come into contact with the urine or other bodily fluids of infected animals, such as rats, mice, or other small mammals. The signs and symptoms in cats are similar to those in dogs.

Signs and symptoms

So, how do you know if your pet may be infected? Common signs and symptoms of leptospirosis in dogs, cats and other animals include:

1. Fever
2. Loss of appetite
3. Vomiting
4. Diarrhea
5. Lethargy or weakness
6. Muscle pain or stiffness
7. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
8. Excessive drinking and urination
9. Difficulty breathing or coughing

NB: Some pets may be carriers of the bacteria that causes lepto yet won’t show any signs of illness themselves. They can still spread the bacteria to other animals and humans through contact with their urine or other bodily fluids.

How can I prevent my pet getting it?

Luckily, there are ways to reduce the chance of your pet picking up this serious illness. Here are some of them:

Vaccination

A vaccination is the most effective way to prevent leptospirosis in dogs (as mentioned above, there isn’t one for cats as they rarely become unwell). Although it’s not one of the core vaccines, it’s often given in addition to them. Depending on your pup’s age and lifestyle, and the opinion of your vet, they may receive a shot early on as a puppy then additional boosters.

Avoidance

Don’t expose your dog, cat or any pet to potentially contaminated water or soil. As discussed, lepto bacteria live in puddles or standing water, so it’s important to keep pets away from those areas. Don’t let them drink from puddles, ponds, or streams, especially if they’re stagnant and/or muddy.

Hygiene

Keep clean by washing your hands after handling your pet or cleaning up after them. Wear gloves when cleaning up any urine or faeces, and disinfect any areas that may’ve been contaminated.

Control rodents

Rodents such as rats and mice can carry the bacteria that causes this disease. Try to keep your home and yard free of them by removing potential food sources, sealing any entry points, and using traps or baits if necessary.

Regular vet care

Regular check-ups with your vet can help detect any signs of lepto early, before they become more serious.

Treatment for leptospirosis

The treatment for leptospirosis in dogs typically involves antibiotics and supportive care.

The specific antibiotics used will depend on the severity of the infection and the strain of lepto bacteria involved. In some cases, intravenous fluids and other supportive care are used to manage dehydration, kidney or liver damage, or other complications.

If the disease is caught early and treated promptly, most pups will recover fully. However, the prognosis may be less favourable in severe cases or when treatment is delayed.

Pets with lepto can be contagious to other animals, including us humans, so it’s important to take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. This may include isolating them from other animals, wearing gloves when handling any urine or bodily fluids, and thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting any areas that may’ve been contaminated.

How long is a dog with leptospirosis contagious?

A pup with lepto will be contagious for several weeks after infection. The exact duration on the severity of the infection and their overall health.

In general, a dog with leptospirosis can shed the bacteria in its urine for up to six months after infection, although the shedding typically lasts for one to two months. During this time, your pup can spread the bacteria to other animals and humans through contact with contaminated urine or water.

Also note that some dogs may continue to shed the bacteria in their pee intermittently for years after infection, although this is less common. Therefore, it’s important to take precautions when handling the urine of any dog with lepto, even if they appear to have recovered from the infection.

Can dogs recover from leptospirosis?

Yes, dogs can recover from lepto, although the severity of the infection can vary widely. In mild cases, they may recover on their own with an IV drip and antibiotics. In more severe cases, hospitalisation and intensive care are necessary.

Getting your dog diagnosed and treated as soon as possible is vital. Pups with lepto can sometimes need several weeks of treatment and it’s always important to follow the veterinarian’s instructions regarding medication and follow-up care.

Also note dogs that have recovered from leptospirosis may still be at risk of re-infection. For that reason, a lepto vaccination can be an effective way to prevent the disease in the future.

How long does leptospirosis live on surfaces?

Leptospira bacteria can survive in wet environments such as soil or standing water for several months. However, survival times on surfaces such as countertops, floors, and other inanimate objects is much shorter – from a few hours to a few days depending on the environmental conditions.

It’s important to note that while the bacteria may survive on surfaces for a limited time, the risk of infection from contact with contaminated surfaces is low. The primary way leptospirosis in dogs, cats and other animals is transmitted is through contact with the urine or other bodily fluids of infected animals.

Practicing good hygiene like washing hands and surfaces with soap and water can help reduce the risk of infection.

Good hygiene can reduce the chances of your pet getting a range of illnesses. Be sure to check out our resources on other diseases that affect cats and dogs:

• Can Pets Get Monkeypox?
• Protecting Pets if You Catch COVID-19
• FIV: What is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus?
• Parvo Symptoms, Signs, Prevention, and Treatment

Insurance for the unexpected

Leptospirosis in dogs and cats is another reminder that our beloved pets are vulnerable to unforeseen illnesses and accidents. Make sure you safeguard them with pet insurance. With PD Insurance, your first month of insurance is completely free (or even more, depending on your pet’s age).

Why not get peace of mind with a quote from an award-winning insurer?