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LEPTOSPIROSIS UPDATE - JANUARY 2024

 

 

Leptospirosis is a bacteria that is transmissible from rats and/or dogs to humans. Infected dogs have a very low survival rate. Infected people often end up in intensive care and can die from this disease. Infections began occurring in inner Sydney in 2019, and is still causing infection in suburban dogs in 2024. 

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More than 95% of the known cases in the current outbreak in dogs have died despite intensive veterinary treatment.

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In addition to the routine vaccinations for parvo and distemper, we now recommend most dogs should be vaccinated against Lepto. Also if you are pregnant or immunocompromised, your dog should be vaccinated to help protect you and your family.

 

 

The information below may help guide your decision.

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Some facts: Leptospirosis is a bacteria that spreads from animals to humans.

It causes eye, liver and kidney disease. Lepto is usually found in European rats (not water rats, bandicoots, etc) and is shed into the environment in rats' urine.

The bacteria persists in wet areas where rats live.

Dogs get infected though contact with infected rats or their urine.

Humans can catch lepto through contact with rat urine or with infected dogs.

Dogs who share territory with rats (laneways, behind restaurants, in your garden, etc), are at risk. Big, well maintained parks and open spaces and public footpaths are lower risk.

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Cats can get lepto but usually clinical signs are milder. There is no vaccine available for cats. Pet rats are unlikely to get lepto as they wouldn't come in contact with wild rats.

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The signs of lepto look similar to many other diseases: Fever, sore muscles, lethargy Shivering Sore, red eyes Yellow (jaundice) in the whites of the eyes or gums Loss of appetite Change in thirst, usually increased

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The vaccine is safe to use in healthy dogs.

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It requires 2 doses, 2 – 6 weeks apart. The cost is $252 for the course of 2 vaccines, or $75.00 per injection if added to another consultation or vaccination.

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So, which dogs should be vaccinated?

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- All dogs who live within 5km of Annandale, Ashfield, Balmain, Cheltenham, Crows Nest, Darlinghurst, Elanora Heights, Erskineville, Figtree, Firefly, Glebe, Horsley Park,  Ingleside, Lurnea, Newtown, Paddington, Redfern, Surry Hills, Trunkey Creek, Waterloo, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, and especially dogs who chase rats, hang out in unkept laneways and neglected urban areas, or who scavenge in rubbish.

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- Dogs owned by people with health issues that might get very complicated by infection with lepto i.e. if any human contact has any chronic liver or kidney disease, and/or is immunosuppressed (pregnancy, chemotherapy, HIV, immune-mediated conditions).

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Given the severity of the disease and its possible transmission to humans, we are strongly recommending that all inner west and city dogs should be vaccinated in the face of the current outbreak.