Leptospirosis in dogs

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can affect dogs, other animals and humans. A dog can contract the infection without developing any disease or showing mild symptoms, but a serious infection of leptospirosis can be fatal. Here you can read more about common symptoms, when you should vaccinate and how leptospirosis is transmitted.

Symptoms of leptospirosis

A mild infection in dogs may produce milder symptoms, or the disease may not develop at all. In the event of a serious infection, a dog may, among other things, have the following symptoms:

Fever with acute kidney or liver damage bills
Reluctance to move
Bleeding

How is leptospirosis transmitted?

Dogs are primarily infected by drinking stagnant water where an infected animal has peed, for example. But can also be transmitted through bites or by eating an infected animals, such as rats and mice, which can be carriers of leptospirosis.

The risk of infection decreases in dry and cold weather and increases in hot and humid weather.

Vaccinations against leptospirosis

A dog that is vaccinated against leptospirosis is vaccinated 2 times, 4 weeks apart in the first year and then once a year. If you plan to travel with your dog, there are some countries that require a leptospirosis vaccination.