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Key Takeaways
- Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from infected dogs to their human family members, making vaccination important for your whole household.
- Our vets recommend the leptospirosis vaccine for all dogs, regardless of lifestyle, because outbreaks occur with enough regularity to warrant routine protection.
- The vaccine has been reformulated since early concerns about reactions and is now well tolerated by most dogs.
Leptospirosis isn't one of the more commonly discussed dog vaccines, but it's one that our vets take seriously. It's a disease that shows up with regularity, it can be fatal without treatment, and it doesn't stay confined to animals. Here's what you need to know before your dog's next visit.
What Is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease transmitted through the urine of infected wildlife or other dogs. It can cause serious illness in dogs, ranging from liver problems to kidney disease depending on the strain involved. Without detection and treatment, it can be fatal.
What makes leptospirosis especially important to understand is that it's a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be passed from an infected dog to the people in their household. That's part of why our vets recommend vaccinating all dogs against it, not just those with high outdoor exposure.
Why Is This Vaccine Recommended for All Dogs?
Unlike some vaccines that are recommended based on lifestyle, the leptospirosis vaccine is on our vets' standard list for all dogs. The disease spreads through contact with infected urine, which can be present in standing water, soil, or anywhere wildlife passes through, including urban and suburban environments.
Because outbreaks occur with some regularity and the consequences of infection are serious, routine vaccination is the most reliable way to keep your dog and your family protected.
What Does the Vaccination Schedule Look Like?
When your dog receives the leptospirosis vaccine for the first time, they'll need two doses. The first is given at the initial visit, and the second follows three weeks later as a booster. After that, the vaccine is given once a year to maintain protection.
If your dog is already up to date on leptospirosis, their annual wellness visit is the natural time to renew it. You can check your dog's vaccination status anytime in the Modern Animal app, and records are easy to download and share with dog daycares, groomers, or dog parks that require proof of vaccination.
What Should I Expect After the Shot?
The leptospirosis vaccine is generally well tolerated. The most common side effect is some soreness at the injection site, typically the left rear leg, for a day or so after the vaccination. Most dogs are back to normal quickly.
You may come across older online discussions about reactions to this vaccine. Those concerns stem from an earlier formulation. The vaccine has since been reformulated and the rate of reactions is now much lower. If you have specific concerns about your dog's history with vaccines, it's worth bringing up with your vet during an appointment. Modern Animal All Access and Essential members can also raise those questions with our team anytime through 24/7 Virtual Care before coming in.
What Does the Leptospirosis Vaccine Cost?
Vaccine costs at Modern Animal vary depending on where you live. The leptospirosis vaccine is typically administered as part of a wellness visit, and the overall cost can be influenced by your dog's age, health history, and what else is recommended at that appointment.
For a full breakdown of service and test pricing at Modern Animal, visit modernanimal.com/pricing. Everything is listed transparently so you know what to expect before you come in.
Keep Your Dog and Family Protected
Leptospirosis is a serious disease, but vaccination makes it a manageable one. If your dog is due for their lepto vaccine or you want to talk through their full vaccination schedule, book an appointment through the Modern Animal app. And if questions come up in the meantime, our team is here around the clock through virtual care.
