Does Your Dog Swim? Make Sure You Know About Leptosporosis

16 March 2017
 Categories: , Articles


Does your dog love wading through streams when walking in the woods? Maybe he's the type of dive head-first into a pond of water and splash around like a seal. Swimming is great exercise for dogs, and many of them really enjoy it, but it does come with its risks.

One of these risks is a disease called leptosporosis, which is caused by bacteria sometimes found in streams and small bodies of water. To keep your dog safe, make sure you know the basics about this condition.

What causes leptosporosis?

Leptosporosis is caused by a species of bacteria called Leptospira. These bacteria sometimes live in the soil, but they are particularly common in puddles, streams, and ponds since they thrive in the moisture. They're most common in warm environments, but can be found, to some degree, all over the world. 

If Leptospira bacteria come into contact with any of your dog's mucous membranes, which they most likely will when your dog swims in an infected body of water, your dog can contract leptosporosis. Your dog can also contract the disease just from drinking from an infected puddle or pond.

What are the symptoms of leptosporosis?

Symptoms don't usually appear until a few days after your dog comes into contact with the bacteria. This is because it takes the bacteria some time to replicate to the point that there are enough of them to cause a full-blown infection. Some dogs only suffer minor symptoms, like a mild fever and a little vomiting, and get better on their own within a day or two. Others develop more serious, ongoing symptoms like:

  • Fever and chills
  • Diarrhea
  • Weight loss and appetite loss
  • Inflammation in and around the eyes
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and mucous membranes)
  • Extreme lethargy and refusal to move

What should you do if you suspect your dog has leptosporosis?

Since this condition can cause dehydration and death if left untreated, your best bet is to call your vet -- sooner rather than later. Depending on the severity of your dog's symptoms, your vet may want to see the dog immediately or may send you to the emergency animal hospital. 

To determine whether leptosporosis is, in fact, to blame for your dog's illness, the vet will administer blood tests. Urinalysis may also be performed to rule out other conditions like diabetes. You should know within a few hours whether your dog is infected.

How is leptosporosis treated?

The standard treatment for leptosporosis is antibiotics. If symptoms are severe, the medications are usually administered via IV. If your dog is still eating, they may be given orally. Your dog may need to stay overnight at the vet for a night or two, but once the antibiotics begin working, symptoms should improve so he's able to come home.

You'll need to keep giving him his medications as directed for a week or more and make sure he drinks plenty of fluid. Giving him chicken broth to drink is a good way to get some fluids and nutrition into him. Most dogs make a full recovery as long as they're treated with antibiotics.

How can you prevent leptosporosis?

The best strategy is to keep your dog from swimming in standing bodies of water and from drinking from puddles. However, if this is not possible, your vet can administer an annual vaccination to protect your dog from infection. These vaccines are not 100% effective, but they do significantly reduce your dog's risk of illness.

To learn more about leptosporosis, speak with services like Seattle Emergency Veterinary Hospital. They can let you know whether the leptosporosis vaccine is the right choice for your pet.


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