Emergency — phone the vet now
Within hours
Suspected leptospirosis in dogs
Sudden lethargy, fever, vomiting, jaundice, or red urine after suspected exposure to rat-infested water or wildlife — phone the vet now; lepto can be rapidly fatal but treatable.
Recognise the signs
- Sudden lethargy, fever, refusing food
- Vomiting, diarrhoea (sometimes bloody)
- Increased thirst and urination, then reduced
- Jaundice (yellow gums, eyes)
- Red urine
- Bleeding tendencies
- Muscle pain, stiffness
First aid steps
- Phone the vet immediately.
- Mention possible water/wildlife exposure.
- Isolate from other pets and people (zoonotic — can spread to humans).
Do NOT
- Do not handle urine without gloves — zoonotic.
- Do not delay if signs are progressing.
While transporting to the vet
- Wear gloves.
- Phone ahead.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Any signs after suspected exposure
- Jaundice, red urine
- Collapse
Common causes
- Bacterial infection from rat urine in standing water, ponds, canals
- Drinking from contaminated puddles
- Wildlife contact (rural and urban)
What the vet will need to know
- Recent walks near ponds, canals, farmland
- Vaccination status (L4 covers main strains)
- Other dogs in household
Aftercare
- Hospitalisation, IV fluids, antibiotics (penicillins/doxycycline).
- Long-term liver and kidney monitoring.
- Owner hygiene precautions.
Prevention
- Annual leptospirosis vaccine (L4 covers four serovars).
- Avoid letting dogs drink from ponds, canals.
- Manage rat populations near homes.
Frequently asked questions
Can humans catch lepto from dogs?
Yes — zoonotic via urine. Wear gloves cleaning up after a sick dog and wash hands thoroughly.
Is the vaccine 100% protective?
It covers the main UK strains but isn't absolute. Annual boosters maintain immunity.
Where is risk highest?
Rural water bodies, farms, areas with rat populations. Urban canals also carry risk.