Symptoms of Leptospirosis in Dogs

1 Overview

Transmission

Leptospirosis is widespread in wildlife and livestock; no person-to-person spread is proven. Over 80 animals can be infected or carry it, mainly rats and pigs, the top source for humans and pets.

Water, paddies, streams and pools polluted by rat or pig urine let the bacteria survive months; field work, flood control, fishing or swimming there risk infection.

How to tell if your pet is infected?

Incubation is usually 2-20 days, showing fever, sleepiness, vomiting, bloody stool, jaundice and hemoglobinuria – see a vet at once.

Prevention

Manage drinking water; avoid polluted sources.

Neither pets nor people should ‘wild swim’ in small ponds.

Do not eat broken packages or rat-polluted grain; do not feed pets on the ground and clear leftovers; control rats.

Vaccinate dogs on schedule.

Once infected, isolate and treat promptly.