Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can affect both animals AND people. It is caused by a bacteria found in the urine of infected animals.  The bacteria can cause  symptoms similar to the flu, but it can also develop into a more severe, life-threatening illness with infections in the kidney, liver, brain, lung, and heart. The illness can be spread by infected domesticated animals, and and also by animals found in the wild.  Because of increased building and development into areas that were previously rural, pets may be exposed to more wildlife including rodents, opossums, or squirrels, that might be infected.
We feel that it is important  to proceed with vaccinating dogs (it is rare in cats) for this disease. The clinical signs of Leptospirosis vary. Commonly, infected dogs might show signs of fever, abdominal pain, refusal to eat, severe weakness and muscle pain, or stiffness.
 When you have your dog vaccinated for Leptospirosis, we will administer the first vaccination, and then follow that up with another vaccination in three weeks. Protection lasts from 8-12 months  unless your pet is at high risk because he lives outdoors, goes hunting, etc. In that case, the doctors might opt for more frequent vaccinations to protect him adequately.
Call us at 863-646-2995 or e-mail us at myvet@pethospital.com to set up an appointment to have your pets' vaccines up-dated to include Leptospirosis protection.