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FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What is lepto?
A. Leptospirosis, or lepto, is a potentially deadly bacterial disease spread by a number of hosts to dogs. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be passed from animals to people.
Q. What's the best way to prevent lepto?
A. Vaccination is an important part of a comprehensive control program. In addition, try to eliminate items that may attract wildlife into your backyard or your dog's habitat.
Q. What should you do if you suspect your dog has lepto?
A. Visit your veterinarian and discuss your dog's symptoms. Your veterinarian can confirm your dog's illness and provide appropriate treatment.
 Q. What's the treatment for dogs with lepto?
A. There are many highly effective antibiotics.Visit with your veterinarian for the best options for your dog.
Q. Can cats get lepto?
A. According to most feline infectious disease experts, cats rarely if ever get lepto.
Q. How many serovars of lepto are there?
A. There are around 200, but most do not cause disease in dogs. In the United States, only a few serovars cause disease in dogs.
Q. Is there a vaccine for humans?
A. No.
Q. How common are human cases of lepto in the United States?
A. No one really knows. Leptospirosis was removed from the list of reportable diseases in the United States in 1994. Outbreaks have occurred. In North America, humans are commonly infected through occupational or recreational activities via direct contact with infected tissues or through indirect contact, such as swimming or wading in contaminated water.
Q. How can you be sure if you have lepto?
A. The only way to be sure is to be examined by your health care provider.
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