Southport, CT - Southport Veterinary Center reports that "the local emergency hospitals are seeing a big upsurge in Leptospirosis among dogs."
SVC advises that all dogs, regardless of their perceived risk, should be vaccinated against Leptospirosis unless there have been severe vaccine reactions in the past or if they are ill. The most common carriers of the newest types of Leptospirosis are mice and there are very few animals that have zero contact with mouse urine. New types of vaccines have proven very reliable and protective against disease. Disease symptoms are typically those of kidney and liver failure but can present as common intestinal disease. There is now an in-house test for Leptospirosis available as well.
If your dog has not been vaccinated for Leptospirosis yet, please call your veterinarian's office to set up your appointment for the initial vaccination series, which is one vaccine followed with a second vaccine in 3-4 weeks in the first year, then once yearly.
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