Leptospirosis in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment

Leptospirosis in dogs is a serious zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira bacteria. It can spread through infected wildlife, urine, and contaminated water and can affect the kidneys, liver, and other organs.

Leptospirosis in dogs is considered a medical emergency. If you suspect your dog may be infected, contact your veterinarian right away and avoid contact with your dog’s bodily fluids—especially their urine.

What Is Leptospirosis in Dogs?

Leptospirosis in dogs is a disease caused by bacteria called Leptospira. This bacterium is spiral-shaped and belongs to a class of bacteria called spirochetes.

Leptospirosis is also considered a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Common Types of Leptospira

There are more than 250 strains of Leptospira worldwide. Four common strains are responsible for most cases of leptospirosis in dogs seen in North America:

• Leptospira canicola
• Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae
• Leptospira pomona
• Leptospira grippotyphosa

What Leptospirosis Does to Dogs

When a dog becomes infected with Leptospira, the bacteria travel through the bloodstream, causing widespread inflammation. The bacteria eventually settle in the kidneys and liver, causing inflammation, pain, and even organ failure.

From the kidneys, the bacteria are emptied into the environment through the urine.

Animals That Carry Leptospirosis

Common carriers of leptospirosis include:

• Raccoons
• Skunks
• Opossums
• Rats
• Farm animals, such as cows and pigs

Take extra precautions when traveling or living in rural areas to avoid letting your dog drink from stagnant water.

Can Humans Get Leptospirosis From Dogs?

Yes. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. It is the most common zoonotic infection in the world and can cause Weil’s Syndrome in humans.

Leptospirosis Vaccine for Dogs

Veterinarians have a highly effective vaccine for dogs to help prevent leptospirosis.

While the vaccine was originally recommended for dogs at higher risk, such as those living on acreage or going hunting, its status has been updated to a core vaccine. Core vaccines are recommended by veterinarians for all dogs to help keep them safe.

Leptospirosis in dogs is considered a medical emergency. If you suspect your dog may be infected, contact your veterinarian right away and avoid contact with your dog’s bodily fluids—especially their urine.

What Are the Symptoms of Leptospirosis in Dogs?

Symptoms of leptospirosis in dogs can range from mild to severe, and some dogs may recover spontaneously. Once infected, dogs typically begin to develop symptoms within a week.

Common symptoms include:

• Lethargy
• Decreased appetite and eventual weight loss
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Pain
• Edema
• Bruising
• Bleeding from the gums
• Blood in the urine, stool, or nose
• Muscle pain, stiffness, and reluctance to move
• Jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the eyes, gums, or skin
• Increased drinking and urinating
• Oral ulcers and bad breath
• Difficulty breathing and coughing
• Uveitis, often manifesting as cloudy or red eyes with squinting
• Dehydration
• Sudden miscarriage in pregnant dogs

How Do Dogs Get Leptospirosis?

Dogs get leptospirosis through exposure to urine from infected animals, including wildlife. Drinking from a puddle or other source of still water contaminated with infected urine is the most common way dogs get leptospirosis.

Contaminated Water, Soil, and Bedding

Dogs can also get leptospirosis from soil or animal bedding contaminated with urine.

The bacteria can spread through water systems such as lakes, ponds, and streams, as well as through urine-contaminated soil.

Where Is Leptospirosis Found?

Leptospirosis is found throughout the U.S. and other countries, particularly in warm and wet climates. The bacteria can survive for weeks to months in the environment.

Dogs at Higher Risk for Leptospirosis

Dogs who are young, unvaccinated, or have a compromised immune system are at higher risk. However, leptospirosis can affect dogs of any age, breed, and gender.

How Is Leptospirosis in Dogs Diagnosed?

Veterinarians may suspect leptospirosis in dogs based on symptoms, blood work, and urinalysis results. PCR and MAT testing can then be used to diagnose leptospirosis.

Initial Testing

Veterinarians may use blood work and urinalysis results to support suspicion of leptospirosis. X-rays may also be recommended, especially for dogs with respiratory problems.

PCR Testing

PCR testing, or a polymerase chain reaction test, can be performed on blood, urine, or both to detect bacterial DNA. This test is designed to find leptospirosis genetic material in a sample.

MAT Testing

MAT testing, or a microscopic agglutination test, measures a dog’s antibody level, or titer, against the disease.

The MAT test is typically repeated after several weeks to help determine the specific strain causing the infection.

In-House Screening Test

An in-house test can also serve as a screening tool. If it yields a positive result, the result should be verified with either PCR or MAT testing.

Exposure History

Tell your veterinarian about any recent travel history or exposure to other dogs, wildlife, rural areas, or bodies of water.

This information can help raise suspicion for leptospirosis and alert the medical team to the possibility of an infectious zoonotic disease.

How Is Leptospirosis in Dogs Treated?

Dogs with leptospirosis initially need to be stabilized and treated at a veterinary hospital. Treatment may include supportive care, fluid therapy, and antibiotics.

Supportive Care

Supportive care measures may include pain medications, antiemetics to prevent vomiting, appetite stimulants, and liver supplements such as Denamarin or SAMe.

Fluid therapy, often supplemented with electrolytes, is necessary for treatment. IV fluids help combat dehydration, restore fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea, and improve blood flow through a dog’s damaged kidneys.

Antibiotics

At the hospital, antibiotics such as penicillin G or ampicillin will often be given as an injectable.

Once symptoms are managed and the dog can eat on their own, they will be put on doxycycline, the preferred oral treatment, usually given twice a day for a few weeks.

Preventing the Spread of Leptospirosis During Treatment

It takes about a week of antibiotic therapy before your dog stops shedding bacteria in their urine. During this time, limit interactions with your dog to a minimum and take the necessary disinfection and protective measures to prevent transmission of leptospirosis.

Wear gloves when wiping down your dog’s kennel, especially when cleaning urine.

Use one part bleach to 10 parts water and wipe down the area using disposable paper towels before following up with a pet-safe surface cleaner.

Leash walk your dog somewhere away from where other animals go to avoid spreading leptospirosis to other pets. Wash your hands after handling your dog.

In the hospital, your dog may have a urinary catheter inserted to reduce the exposure risk for the veterinary team.

Dialysis for Dogs With Leptospirosis

Renal replacement therapy, also known as dialysis, is another treatment option that can improve the prognosis, especially for dogs that aren’t producing sufficient urine despite appropriate therapy.

In some cases, only a few sessions of dialysis may be needed. Dialysis is rarely done in veterinary medicine and is typically performed only at specialty hospitals. Most veterinarians will instead focus on IV fluid therapy to flush your dog’s kidneys.

Dialysis may not always be readily available and can be expensive, but it is a therapeutic option for dogs with leptospirosis that can be discussed with your veterinarian.

Severe Cases

In certain cases, humane euthanasia may be recommended. These include dogs with severe kidney or liver failure, widespread hemorrhaging and an inability to clot, respiratory issues, or cases where treatment has failed to improve leptospirosis symptoms.

animals go to avoid spreading to other pets. Wash your hands after handling your dog. 

Recovery and Management of Leptospirosis in Dogs

The prognosis for recovery from leptospirosis in dogs is typically good. However, despite appropriate therapy, some dogs may continue to experience lasting effects, including kidney and liver issues.

Follow-Up Care

Depending on your dog’s response to therapy, they will likely be discharged after several days. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled in the following days and weeks to recheck your dog’s blood work and ensure their kidneys and other organs are functioning well.

Long-term medications and a specific diet may be necessary, along with ongoing follow-up appointments to monitor the progression of the disease.

Long-Term Kidney and Liver Management

If your dog has long-term liver or kidney impairment, supplements such as Denamarin or Azodyl may be recommended.

Prescription diets designed to reduce the workload of the affected organ may also be recommended.

Hill’s K/D, Royal Canin Renal Support, and Purina NF are examples of veterinary kidney diets designed with low protein to reduce the kidney’s workload.

Hill’s L/D and Royal Canin Hepatic are examples of diets fortified for the liver.

Caring for a Dog With Leptospirosis at Home

Until you are instructed otherwise, make sure your dog urinates in an area that can be easily cleaned and disinfected and is away from water sources.

When caring for your dog at home while they are contagious, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

PPE includes face protection, such as goggles and a mask, disposable gloves, and a disposable gown. Wear PPE during interactions with your dog, especially when disinfecting urine-soaked areas or bathing hair that becomes soaked in urine.

Make sure to properly clean and disinfect all bedding materials.

Cleaning the Environment

Leptospirosis is vulnerable to most household disinfectants and bleach. The disease has a limited survival rate in the environment and is susceptible to UV irradiation and desiccation, or the removal of moisture.

The bacteria will die when it’s dry and sunlight hits it over several days. It will survive longer in warm, wet areas.

Can Dogs Get Leptospirosis Again?

Yes. Dogs can become reinfected with leptospirosis in the future, so similar precautions should be taken even after recovery.

Avoid letting your dog drink from puddles, lakes, and ponds or interact with wildlife.

How To Prevent Leptospirosis in Dogs

Preventing leptospirosis in dogs can be challenging because of the numerous bacterial strains involved. Vaccination, limiting access to standing water, reducing contact with wildlife, controlling pests, and practicing good hygiene can help keep your dog safe.

Leptospirosis Vaccine for Dogs

The leptospirosis vaccine for dogs is given in two injections three to four weeks apart and then annually. It targets several of the main strains of leptospirosis.

The vaccine is highly effective and creates a strong antibody response in dogs. For this reason, it has been upgraded to a core vaccine recommended for all dogs by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

Leptospirosis vaccines contain various strains, some more than others, so discuss the most suitable vaccine for your dog with your veterinarian.

While the vaccine significantly reduces the risk of your dog contracting leptospirosis, it can’t completely prevent the disease. Vaccines can’t guarantee 100% immunity but can often lessen the severity if infection occurs.

Some vaccine manufacturers, including Zoetis and Merck, back their products with warranties when you can demonstrate that your dog was vaccinated by a veterinarian following the recommended protocol. If your dog still contracts leptospirosis, the manufacturer may cover associated diagnostic and treatment costs up to a certain amount.

Limit Access to Standing Water

Avoid letting your dog drink from puddles, slow-moving creeks, lakes, and ponds.

Reduce Contact With Wildlife

Use a leash while walking your dog in or near the woods. Avoid letting your dog run during dusk hours when some wildlife is more active.

Control Pests and Garbage Access

Use pest control when necessary and prevent access to garbage. This can help minimize raccoon and rodent traffic through your yard, as these animals can serve as common hosts for Leptospira.

Practice Good Hygiene

Wash your hands frequently and practice good hygiene.