Many of us, including myself, have been very happy to have such frequent rain this summer. Although it is a welcome relief from the heat, rain can bring with it wet soil, standing water, and mud … which makes a little bell go off in my mind that says, “Lepto!”

Leptospirosis, or “lepto,” is a bacterial infection that affects many types of animals, including dogs, many species of wildlife, and humans.  It is an important zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be transmitted from animals to people.

The bacteria that causes leptospirosis is most commonly spread via the urine of infected animals. It can survive in the environment for many months, and it thrives in moisture, such as mud and stagnant water.  Pets may become infected by drinking contaminated water or by biting an infected animal. The bacteria is even able to enter the body by penetrating the mucous membranes or skin, especially if open wounds are present.

Symptoms of leptospirosis infection are highly varied and may affect multiple body systems. Some infected animals show no signs of disease but are still capable of transmitting it. Symptoms often mimic those of other, more common, diseases, making diagnosis difficult. While diagnostic laboratory tests are available, there is no rapid point-of-care test to confirm leptospirosis infection.

Infected animals may have a fever and lethargy, joint or muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, coughing, or difficulty breathing. Leptospirosis infection commonly causes kidney disease and may also cause liver disease. Owners of infected pets may notice jaundiced (yellow) gums or eyelids, or an inability to urinate.

Leptospirosis infection is treatable with antibiotics. Many infected pets require hospitalization with intensive care. Some pets with severe disease will die despite antibiotic treatment.

A leptospirosis vaccine is available for dogs. Unlike many other vaccines, the lepto vaccine is not always 100 percent effective. This is due to the many different subtypes of bacteria that can cause the disease.

However, even in cases where the vaccine does not prevent infection, it usually decreases its severity. It is considered to be a “non-core” vaccine, meaning that it is not recommended annually for every dog. The decision to vaccinate for lepto is usually based on a dog’s lifestyle and risk factors. The vaccine may be more likely than other vaccines to cause adverse reactions, so your veterinarian will discuss the risk vs. benefit options for your particular pet prior to vaccinating for lepto.

Pet owners can help to reduce the risk of leptospirosis infection by discouraging pets from drinking standing water. Feeding pets outdoors may attract wild animals that may carry the infection. Therefore, it is recommended that owners feed their pets inside. Mice and rats are common carriers of leptospirosis, so it is important to keep the rodent population under control.

Leptospirosis is readily transmitted from animals, or from a contaminated environment, to humans, who may become severely ill or even die from the disease. Therefore, awareness of and prevention of the disease are important for human and pet health alike.

Dr. Kelly Sulik owns and operates Animobile Mobile Veterinary Services in Tryon, N.C. She can be reached at animobiledvm@gmail.com.