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ABOUT LEPTOSPIROSIS
What it is
How it's transmitted
Growing concern
The risk to humans
WHAT IT IS
 Leptospirosis (lepto for short) is a serious bacterial disease of dogs, multiple animal species and humans that occurs in countries around the world, mainly in tropical and temperate regions. In the United States, it has become an increasing concern in recent years, especially in cities and suburbs. The main reason is growing populations of wildlife, like raccoons and skunks, that carry the disease and infect dogs indirectly. Dogs can get sick even if they never come into direct contact with infected animals.
Lepto has been diagnosed in all types of dogs. All breeds and sizes of dogs are at risk. Lepto can be a very serious disease and can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated early. It generally attacks a dog's liver and kidneys, and can lead to organ damage or failure. But if caught early, it responds well to antibiotics, and fortunately, vaccination can help prevent lepto.
Lepto is a family of bacteria with multiple "subfamilies" called serovars. Around the world, there are more than 200 serovars of lepto. Although there are many serovars, only a few are known to cause disease in dogs. Newer vaccines, such as those from Fort Dodge, contain four serovars for protection against today's most common serovars. Older vaccines only protect against two serovars .
HOW IT'S TRANSMITTED
Lepto is usually spread through the urine of an infected animal. Most dogs that venture outdoors are at risk for lepto. Dogs typically become infected when they come into contact with wet grass, soil, puddles, streams or ponds contaminated with the urine of infected animals. The bacteria can enter through a cut in the skin or muscous membranes, such as the eye, nose or mouth.
Here's how easy it is for a dog to become exposed to lepto. An infected rat urinates in a puddle of water on the sidewalk or an infected raccoon urinates in the dew covered grass along a walkway. You walk your dog in these areas and the dog steps in the contaiminated material. Once home, your dog licks his feet during normal grooming and is exposed.
Wildlife and domestic animals commonly infected with lepto include:
- raccoons
- skunks
- rats
- mice
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- squirrels
- foxes
- coyotes
- deer
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GROWING CONCERN
In recent years, the number of cases of lepto in dogs appears to be increasing throughout the United States.
- Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world. Zoonosis means the disease can be spread from animals to people. (Source: E. Meites,et al. Emerging Infectious Disease, March 2004.)
- Canine lepto cases in the United States have increased dramatically during the past 25 years. (Source: M. Ward, L. Glickman, L. Guptill. JAVMA, Vol. 220, No. 1, Jan 2002.)
- Lepto is believed to be significantly underdiagnosed in the United States.
(Source: K. Harkin, et al. JAVMA Vol. 222, No. 9, May 2003.)
WHY IT'S INCREASING
Dogs living in recently urbanized areas are at greater risk for lepto, perhaps due to increased opportunity for contact with wildlife (M. Ward, L. Guptill, C. Wu. JAVMA Vol. 225, No. 1, July 2004). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, suburbanization has increased significantly nationwide since 1990. This means there is a greater chance for interaction between dogs and the primary host for lepto, wildlife. Lepto pathogens are now broadly dispersed throughout the United States (G. Moore, Emerging Infectious Disease, Vol. 12, No. 3, March 2006).
THE RISK TO HUMANS
Lepto is a "zoonotic" disease, meaning humans can catch it from animals. Dog owners can get sick from coming into contact with infected dog urine. They also can contract lepto the same way dogs do: by swimming in, or drinking, contaminated water from streams, lakes or ponds, or by contact with contaminated grass or soil.
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