Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease carried by skunks, raccoons, voles and squirrels. It is transmitted through contaminated urine and can enter a dog's body through ingestion or through skin abrasions. Dogs who have contact with wildlife (hunting, swimming in rivers, bird feeders) are most at risk but our clinic has seen 2 cases of leptospirosis in dogs with minimal outdoor contact. It causes fever, vomiting, muscle aches and severe liver and kidney damage. Without treatment, severely infected dogs usually die. There is a vaccine for this disease that protects against the four most common strains. It usually produces minimal side effects. The dog is vaccinated once, then boostered in a month and then yearly after that. We are recommending this vaccine for any dog, especially those with any contact (direct or indirect) with wildlife! For more information on this disease: