LEPTOSPIROSIS:

The disease and vaccination rationale for ARKLE Veterinary Care, LLC

WHAT IS LEPTOSPIROSIS?

Leptospirosis (Lepto, Leptospira, Weil’s Disease) is a bacterial zoonotic disease that affects humans and a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. The infection is most commonly transmitted to humans by allowing water that has been contaminated by animal urine to come in contact with unhealed breaks in the skin, eyes or with the mucous membranes.

Leptospirosis is transmitted by the urine of an infected animal and is contagious as long as it is still moist. Although rats, mice and voles are important primary hosts, a wide range of other mammals including dogs, deer, rabbits, hedgehogs, cows, sheep, raccoons, possums, skunks, and certain marine mammals are able to carry and transmit the disease as secondary hosts. Dogs may lick the urine of an infected animal off the grass or soil, or drink from an infected puddle. There have been reports of "house dogs" contracting leptospirosis apparently from licking the urine of infected mice that entered the house. The type of habitats most likely to carry infective bacteria are muddy riverbanks, ditches, gullies, and muddy livestock rearing areas where there is regular passage of either wild or farm mammals. There is a direct correlation between the amount of rainfall and the incidence of leptospirosis, making it seasonal in temperate climates and year-round in tropical climates.

Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil containing urine from these infected animals. This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water, or through skin contact. The disease is not known to be spread from person to person and cases of bacterial dissemination in convalescence are extremely rare in humans. Leptospirosis is common among water-sport enthusiasts in specific areas as prolonged immersion in water is known to promote the entry of the bacteria. Surfers and whitewater paddlers are at especially high risk in areas that have been shown to contain the bacteria, and can contract the disease by swallowing contaminated water, splashing contaminated water into their eyes or nose, or exposing open wounds to infected water. Occupations at risk include veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers, farmers, sewer workers, and people working on derelict buildings, rowers are also sometimes known to contact the disease.

WHY DON’T ALL DOGS GET  / NOT GET LEPTO VACCINATION?

Lepto is not considered a “Core” vaccine. Core vaccines are immunizations against diseases that the majority of dogs are at risk of contracting, and the disease in question can/may have severe health consequences for the animal and or the humans that live with the animal.

Core vaccines are currently listed by the AVMA and AAHA in veterinary guidelines available to the general public and veterinary personnel. These vaccines currently include:
· Distemper    · Canine Parvovirus (parvo)    · Canine Adenovirus (hepatitis)    · Rabies

WHO SHOULD NOT BE VACCINATED AGAINST LEPTO?

Dogs with minimal exposure to the disease

1. Indoor solitary life-style, do not interact with other dogs or stay outside any longer than needed to eliminate and only have access to a limited outside area. These dogs do not board, go to the groomers, walk on the Silver Comet Trail or near lakes, or visit other dogs that engage in any of these activities
2. Indoor social dogs that only interact with other dogs in their own household. Like the first category, these dogs and the dogs they associate with do not interact with other dogs or stay outside any longer than needed to eliminate and only have access to a limited outside area. These dogs do not board, go to the groomers, walk on the Silver Comet Trail or near lakes, or visit other dogs that engage in any of these activities. If the companion dog is at higher exposure, then so are any dogs that interact with them.

Dogs with medical conditions that make vaccination a serious health hazard

1. Medical history of severe, anaphylactic (trying to die) reaction to a Lepto vaccine. If reaction was mild (lethargy, hives, fever, responded well to routine treatment with steroids and antihistamines) and the dog’s exposure level is high, they still need to be vaccinated yearly, but will require pre and post vaccination treatment to control the allergic response.
2. Medical history of Auto-immune disease. These dogs are on an extremely limited to non-existent vaccination protocol due to the increased risk of life threatening reaction to any immune system stimulation.

WHO SHOULD BE VACCINATED AGAINST LEPTO?

Dogs with increased exposure to the disease:

1. Dogs that go to doggie daycare, boarding or groomers, especially a “cage free” environment
2. Dogs that spend any more time outside than that needed to attend to bathroom needs
3. Dogs who have access to lakes, woods or other areas frequented by wildlife and other dogs
4. Dogs who live in pet friendly apartment or condo communities unless  strictly indoor solitary pets

Dogs who live with immune compromised people

1. Dogs who live with people with suppressed or impaired immune systems (elderly, very young, organ recipients, any medical condition treated with immune suppressive drugs (ex: rheumatoid arthritis, HIV pos, etc). [It is inappropriate to ask for specifics, but it is important to inform all clients of the vaccination and other treatment recommendations for dogs owned by or living with immune suppressed individuals.]

BUT WHAT ABOUT…..

Dachshunds (or any other specific breed): There is no medical contraindication to vaccinating a pet based on their breed or body size. We know that certain breeds seem to develop reactions to vaccines, most notably Lepto, more often, but this is merely one fact in the discussion between owner and veterinarian about overall risk assessment for that individual animal and deciding which, if any, non-core vaccines are indicated for that patient.

In the past, we omitted Lepto from many small dogs and certain specific breeds of dogs, believing they were not needed and that we were better off avoiding a possible vaccine reaction. Current research indicates that the risks from liver, kidney or other systemic disease from Lepto in dogs and/or their human companions make vaccination of at-risk dogs more important than avoiding the possible vaccine reaction.

CAN THE SHOT BE GIVEN ANYWHERE?

All vaccines need to be administered to the patient as recommended by the vaccine manufacturer. Most vaccines are currently given subcutaneously (SQ, under the skin). In order to help identify potential reactions from vaccines, many practices have specific areas on a dog’s body that they give each type vaccine. This is a MUCH more important concern in cats than dogs.

At ARKLE, we give Lepto vaccines under the skin over the right shoulder. The reason we do this that on years when a pet needs both a Distemper/Parvo vaccine (which is always given under the skin on the right shoulder) and a Lepto vaccine, we administer a single combination vaccine that includes all 3 of these boosters so the pet only needs to be “stuck” once with a needle for administration of the boosters.