Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal disease that can attack your dog in any stage of his life. The symptoms of the disease are depression, fever, dehydration, jaundice and abdominal pain. The disease damages your dogs liver and kidneys, sometimes resulting in renal failure and death.

Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria in the urine of rodents and other infected animals, and in water where they have been. The bacteria has also been found in saliva, blood and milk of infected animals.The bacteria enters your dogs body through mucous membranes or through scratch or sores on their skin. Leptospirosis bacteria multiply rapidly after entering the body. Signs of the disease can begin as soon as two days after exposure or as long as 26 days after contact with infected urine, but generally occur within one-to-two weeks.

Treatment for Leptospirosis consists of antibiotic treatment with penicillin and tetracycline drugs for treating any kidney damage. Caring for a dog with Leptospirosis requires a lot of nursing care especially intravenous fluids if your dog has become dehydrated.

Carefully watch for flu-like symptoms in your dog and get him to the vet immediately if you suspect Leptospirosis. In addition, Leptospirosis can be spread to humans. People can catch the disease from water that is contaminated by infected wild or domestic animals.

Leptospirosis vaccines may only protect your dogs for six-to-eight months, so veterinarians in high risk areas recommend twice-yearly vaccination. (So far, the states of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York have experienced Lepto eruptions and cases have surfaced in many other states as well. ) In addition, each and every strain of the bacteria needs a separate vaccination to provide protection. The protection provided by vaccines do not "cross species" to other strains. In addition, dogs that HAVE BEEN vaccinated can develop a slight case of Lepto and continue to spread the disease in their urines even though they show no sign or symptoms on the disease.

Be sure to check with your veterinarian about outbreaks in the are in which you live and if you and your vet feel it is necessary, get your dog vaccinated. Remember, this disease can pass from your dog to you and the rest of your family so be aware. Especially families with small children who like to play in Rover's water bowl! (Believe me, I know this as my Grandson was infected with Lepto from doing just that very thing!)