Kansas City pet parents are worried about leptospirosis. Here’s what local vets say

Kansas City pet parents are warning others of the dangers of leptospirosis, a bacteria that can cause illness in pets.

The bacteria comes from contaminated standing water and is often found in wild animals, according to Union Hill Animal Hospital, which sent out a notice to its clients after local pet owners took to social media this week to share concerns about the spread of the disease.

The bacteria can cause severe and irreversible liver and kidney damage and in some cases can lead to death. In most areas, the bacteria is spread by animals such as rats and raccoons.

Chief veterinarian of the Pet Resource Center of Kansas City Dr. Melia Washington said she has not personally seen an uptick in leptospirosis cases in Kansas City, but said it is always a good idea to protect pets from the disease.

“We’ve not seen lepto but we vaccinate for it like crazy,” Washington said.

Washington said that most dogs should get vaccinated against the disease by the time they are 12 to 16 weeks old.

Northland Mobile Veterinary Clinic owner Dr. Lawrence Kovac suggested that anyone with pets that go outside regularly should be cautious of the bacteria and take preventative measures to avoid infection.

Here’s what you should know:

How does leptospirosis spread?

Again, leptospirosis is found in contaminated still water and usually can be found in the urine of wild animals. Deer, cattle, mice, rats and raccoons can all be carriers of the bacteria.

Pets who travel to lakes or dog parks could be more susceptible to catching the bacterial disease. Pet owners who know they live in an area that might attract wild animals should also be cautious if their dog plays outside, according to both Washington and Kovac.

“[If your pet] licks puddles of water or walks through puddles of water, then licks their paws, there’s a chance for infection,” Kovac said.

Washington added that pets can be infected through open bite marks, bowls of water left outside or even through their sexual organs if they are mating, but standing water is the most common carrier.

What signs should I look for in my pet?

If you think your pet is sick, look out for signs of fever, shivering, vomiting and increased thirst. Other symptoms could be jaundice, loss of appetite and dehydration, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“About two weeks after the infection, the kidneys will fail pretty rapidly. So you will see your dog being incredibly lethargic, possibly vomiting and diarrhea, maybe not able to go to the bathroom,” Washington said.

“But it does take sometimes like one to two weeks to even see that. So sometimes by the time we catch it, the kidneys are beyond repair,” Washington said, adding that the mortality rate for dogs with the disease is usually 70% or higher.

How can it be treated?

The treatment for severe disease can be pretty intense.

Kovac said treatment typically involves intense IV therapy, antibiotics and nutritional care, which may include force feeding since the pet might not have an appetite. The pet also needs to be isolated since the bacteria could still infect other humans or animals.

“So you’re talking isolation gloves, gowns, throwing stuff and proper trash containers afterward because it is hazardous waste,”Kovac said.

What can pet owners do to prevent it? Are vaccines effective?

There are vaccines available to protect pets against leptospirosis. The commercially available vaccines are around 84% protective against clinical disease in pets, according to a study published by the National Institutes of Health.

Kovac said that none of his clients that he has vaccinated have ever come back sick with the disease, but he said it is possible.

Kovac added that every pet is different though, so a pet with a compromised immune system might still get infected with the disease even if they are vaccinated. But vaccinating your pet, is still one of the best ways to prevent disease and is readily available at most pet clinics, accoding to Washington.

“My charge is about $18,” Kovac said of the vaccine. “So $18, potentially saves up to $3,000 and potentially the life of the pet.”

The vaccine is effective against disease for a year at a time. Each year, your pet will need a booster to stay protected, according to Kovac.

What about leptospirosis in cats?

Leptospirosis disease is rare for cats, according to a study published by the National Library of Medicine.

Although cats can still get the disease, there is not a vaccine available for cats to protect them against leptospirosis. They are much less susceptible to the bacteria in comparison to dogs, according to Kovac.

Outdoor cats are more likely to become infected, especially if they hunt or eat infected animals like mice.

Can it spread to humans?

Leptospirosis can be spread to and cause infection in humans as well. Some of the symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, headache, chills, vomiting and jaundice, although some people may not experience any symptoms of the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Both Washington and Kovac suggest that people with kids stay vigilant when it comes to outdoor play and standing water.

“It is potentially definitely contagious to us,” Kovac said. “Therefore, proper management of hygiene, don’t run through the puddles if you want to be safe. That’s how I educate my parents when they have young kids.”