{"id":507,"date":"2023-06-14T10:54:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-14T14:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beverlyhillsvets.com\/blog\/?p=507"},"modified":"2023-06-14T10:54:00","modified_gmt":"2023-06-14T14:54:00","slug":"leptospirosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beverlyhillsvets.com\/blog\/leptospirosis\/","title":{"rendered":"Leptospirosis: An Emerging Problem for Pet Owners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Leptospirosis (\u201clepto\u201d) has been diagnosed in pets for several decades, but recently, it\u2019s begun to show up across the United States in higher numbers. Although the illness is most often associated with warm, rainy regions, outbreaks have occurred in cities such as Phoenix, New York City, and Denver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In part, the increased diagnoses can be blamed on climate change and unpredictable weather patterns, more urban-adapted wildlife<\/a>, and our ability to more accurately diagnose<\/a> the illness. Because of the severity of lepto among dogs, as well as its risk to people, it\u2019s integral to understand how this disease is contracted and what you can do to protect your pet and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is Leptospirosis?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Leptospirosis is caused by the Leptospira bacteria, which is a spiral organism known as spirochetes<\/a>. Lepto is a zoonotic disease<\/a> that can affect many species, including raccoons, skunks, rodents, coyotes, dogs, and humans (although rare, cats can also be infected). Once inside an animal or person, Leptospira exist in the kidneys and are then shed into the urine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the primary ways in which pets become infected is through contact with urine-contaminated water<\/a> or soil. An infection can also result from a bite wound or consumption of an infected animal or their waste. Because these bacteria cannot thrive in very cold temperatures, most cases of lepto occur during the summer and fall and after rainy periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leptospirosis typically produces the following symptoms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n