Recent studies show leptospirosis is on the increase. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic (meaning it is transmissible to humans) bacterial disease which can be spread through the urine of infected rodents, raccoons, skunks, opossums, cattle and swine.  An animal (or human) can be exposed by swimming in or drinking from a contaminated water source or from ingesting urine contaminated garbage.  It was previously most frequently seen in rural areas but with the disappearance of much farm land, it is now being found in urban areas where there may be standing contaminated water or in contaminated trash collection areas.
The disease can cause fever, jaundice, kidney failure and even death. There are 10 known serovars (types) of lepto.  Previously vaccines only contained 2 serovars, leptospira canicola and leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae.   Recent studies and test results have indicated the necessity to incorporate additional serovars in the vaccine to provide better protection against the disease. We are now administering a new 4-way leptospirosis vaccine which includes 2 additional serovars, leptospira pomona and leptospira grippotyphosa and also prevents shedding of the bacteria. Test results have shown that a higher number of dogs have been testing positive for one or both of these serovars.  Unfortunately, there is still no vaccine for the other 6 serovars.  We recently diagnosed a Taneytown dog with leptospirosis.  For these reasons, we feel it if very important to use the new 4-way leptospirosis vaccine as part of our vaccine protocol.  If your pet is not currently vaccinated against the 4 types of lepto he/she will receive the first vaccination then 2-4 weeks later will need another booster that will last for 1 year.