Leptospirosis in Humans and Pets: Prevention and Vaccination

Recently, a case of leptospirosis in humans was known in the city of Guayaquil. The infection was recorded in a woman who was infected through her dog.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a bacteria called Leptospira interrogans, pathogenic for humans and animals, with more than 200 serological varieties or serovars. This infection is more common in areas with warm climates and high annual rainfall rates.

Humans generally acquire leptospirosis by drinking or coming into contact with water, such as swimming, rafting, or kayaking, or soil that has been contaminated by urine or body fluids from infected animals. Human-to-human transmission occurs very rarely.

Many animals can transmit this disease, including rodents, raccoons, opossums, cattle, pigs, horses, buffalo, sheep and goats.

Likewise, on the pet side, dogs are the most affected. Leptospirosis in cats is very rare and appears to be mild, although very little is known about the disease in this species.

It is unlikely that a human will acquire leptospirosis from their dog, however, it could occur and be serious.

Because untested dogs can have the bacteria in their urine for months, the risk of transmitting it to a person exists for several months.

Leptospirosis in dogs can be prevented with vaccination.

Kissing pets, among the ways leptospirosis is transmitted from pets to humans

Diseases and risks shared by owners and pets

In any case, pets should have a vaccination schedule not only against leptospirosis, but also against other diseases.

Vaccines in dogs will be applied from six weeks, while in cats they should arrive at approximately ten weeks. The difference in the application of vaccines between dogs and felines is due to the fact that in the latter the functioning of their immunology is different.

Cats must have:

Feline triple vaccine (first dose at 9-10 weeks; second booster dose at 21 days). Rabies vaccine.

The dogs will have:

Sextuple vaccine at six weeks, 21 days after the second dose and after another 21 days the third dose. Anti-rabies vaccine, after 21 days after applying the last sextuple booster.

These immunizations will be given during the first twelve months of life.

Afterwards, once a year you will have to revaccinate with sextuple and rabies in dogs and triple feline and rabies in cats.

Sextuple for dogs protects against parvovirus, coronavirus, distemper (distemper), two strains of leptospirosis and adenovirus.

While the feline triple protects against calicivirus, feline rhinotracheitis and palocopenia. (YO)

2023-11-17 01:20:00
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