As the days start getting longer and the weather warms up, there’s nothing better than getting outside and enjoying the great outdoors, especially with your furry friend by your side! Sunny days bring great things like walks and hikes but, unfortunately, can also bring along a few unfriendly things, including sneaky diseases like leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is a disease that is seen more frequently during the summer and fall, especially after periods of high rainfall. It is often present in stagnant or slow-moving water and most commonly seen in dogs, but more specifically  dogs with access to outdoor areas that may be shared with wildlife, such as a field, yard or park.

Leptospirosis has multiple strains and therefore can be picked up in quite a few ways. Pets can be exposed by ingesting it after drinking from lakes, streams and rivers. Most commonly, dogs can get leptospirosis if an open wound comes in contact with infected urine, contaminated bedding, soil, water or food. It can also be transferred to your dog if they are bitten by another infected animal, such as a rodent.

What makes this disease so dangerous is that once the bacteria circulates into the bloodstream, it can reproduce in the liver, lungs, kidneys and central nervous system, ultimately leading to kidney or liver damage, and sometimes even death from organ damage.

Dogs with leptospirosis often show signs of fever, tenderness of the muscles (leading to reluctance to movement) and lethargy. Other signs may include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), inflammation of the eyes, bloody nose, urine or stool and changes in the amount and frequency of urination.

The disease can result in anemia, inflammation of the pancreas, respiratory disease, lung disease, acute kidney failure and/or permanent in liver damage. Treatment of the disease includes intravenous antibiotic and fluids and other supportive care. Early and aggressive treatment can increase the chances of recovery but may not prevent permanent kidney or liver damage. It is important to seek immediate veterinary care if you notice any of the above symptoms in your pet.