Leptospirosis Outbreak Update 2021

By John Morgan | Dated July 6, 2020

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal bacterial disease

Leptospirosis is a highly infectious disease carried by rodents and spread either by direct contact or stagnant, contaminated water. Dogs are at a high risk of contracting this disease in certain areas of Australia – especially in the north and near dairies and we are now seeing increased cases in the Sydney metro area. Cats are rarely infected and no vaccination is available. The symtpoms are highly varied but include vomiting, lethargy, fever and bleeding abnormalities.

There has been a newly identified case near Elanora Heights in May 2021. This dog passed away as a result of this infection.

There has been one confirmed leptospirosis case in a dog in Crows Nest and another in Paddington in the last 24 months. These dogs both passed away as a result of these infections within a few days of presentation to their veterinarians in those areas. At this time Leptospirosis has not been diagnosed in dogs or cats presenting to Gordon Vet Hospital.

This disease has serious zoonotic potential and pet owners should be very careful if they suspect the disease and contact us immediately.

Given the widespread distribution of cases over the last 2 years it is currently being recommended that:

• ALL DOGS IN THE SYDNEY METRO AREA BE VACCINATED
• Access to rats and stagnant water should be limited

Based on these recommendations Gordon Vet Hospital advises that all dogs be vaccinated against Leptospirosis as soon as possible if they have never been vaccinated or are overdue. This vaccination is administered subcutaneously and needs to be boosted 2-4 weeks after the initial vaccination. We are now advising this vaccination as part of our regular preventative health care and will be administered with our annual vaccinations.