Leptospirosis: Are Owners at Risk?

There are multiple Leptospira species that can infect dogs, cats, or humans, and these bacteria have worldwide distribution.

In General

Prevalence rates vary by region and species, and multiple different wildlife reservoirs exist.
Organisms are commonly shed in urine; infection is often initiated after ingestion of contaminated water.

Alternatively, Leptospira spp infections can occur via direct penetration of intact skin.

Clinical manifestations vary and depend on the infecting strain and mammalian species infected.

Acute inappetence, vomiting, and renal and hepatic inflammation are common in dogs.
Clinical illness is less frequently reported in cats.

Humans can develop leptospirosis. In one study, it was estimated that approximately 10% of infected humans were infected from contact with pets.¹

Infection appears to be uncommon for owners of dogs with leptospirosis that are undergoing treatment with appropriate antibiotics.

Still, owners should consult their physician, particularly if a family member is immunocompromised or develops fever, muscle aches, or headaches.

The owner should avoid contact with the urine of the infected pet, use routine household disinfectants to clean areas of urine contamination, and wash hands after handling the infected pet.²

Infected dogs should urinate in an area that is not close to bodies of water or frequented by family members until antibiotic treatment is completed.
Repeat infection with Leptospira spp can occur.

Dogs vaccinated against the 4 most common Leptospira spp serovars are likely to shed fewer organisms if exposed.³

References

Meites E, Jay MT, Deresinski S, et al. Reemerging leptospirosis, California. Emerg Infecti Dis. 2004;10(3):406-412.
Sykes JE, Hartmann K, Lunn KF, Moore GE, Stoddard RA, Goldstein RE. 2010 ACVIM small animal consensus statement on leptospirosis: diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment, and prevention. J Vet Intern Med. 2011;25(1):1-13.
Schuller S, Francey T, Hartmann K, et al. European consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs and cats. J Small Anim Pract. 2015;56:159-179.