| Leptospirosis |
| Leptospirosis is actually a bacterial infection found more commonly in dogs but also occassionally in cats. Several forms of the organism are present in the environment, with an estimated 38% of urban canines and 19% of country dogs carrying the bacteria in their kidneys although perhaps not manifesting the symptoms of a full-blown infection at the time. Environments with standing water and neutral or slightly alkaline soils may promote the presence of leptospira. As with many infectious diseases, puppies and older dogs are more suscpetible to leptospirosis than are healthy, adult dogs in their prime. The list of symptoms associated with acute and subacute infections is frightfully long. Suffice it to say, leptospirae are in the environment and your pet's best hope for protection is vaccination. |
| more canine vaccine information: index Corona Distemper Parainfluenza Parvo |