Prevention

A leptospirosis protocol for clinics

Implementing a leptospirosis program in your practice

There are several steps you should take to protect your canine patients against this potentially fatal disease. Implementing successful leptospiral vaccination in your practice need not be a daunting task. Here are a few suggestions:

• Determine whether leptospirosis has been diagnosed in your geographic area or areas where your patients may travel. Simply because you have not made a diagnosis in a patient in your own practice, leptospirosis may still be present. Given the disease vectors (primarily raccoons, skunks and even opossums) and weather patterns cover large geographic areas, areas endemic for leptospirosis are equally large. Risk of exposure to leptospirosis could be anywhere pets come in contact with wildlife. This may be broader than you think.
• If leptospirosis is present, it is imperative to vaccinate most, if not all, dogs. Many dogs that “do not swim” or “are only allowed in their own backyard” have become infected.
• Educate your staff about the disease, the dangers of zoonotic transmission, and the benefits of vaccination.
• An educated and enthusiastic staff that has “bought into” the leptospiral vaccine program is key to the program’s success.

Educate your clients

Discuss leptospirosis prevention and add this antigen to your patient’s wellness program. Key points for your discussions with clients include:

• The re-emerging threat of leptospirosis to all breeds of dogs
• The devastating impact this infection can have on their pets
• The fact they can get infected by their pets

The information their dogs should be vaccinated with the appropriate lepto vaccine protocol, two to three weeks apart and then boosted, appropriately.

Help your clients with vaccine compliance

• When their pets are initially vaccinated, have your clients make appointments two to three weeks later for the second booster before they leave your clinic.
• Mature dogs should be scheduled for a two-week booster. If they miss the appointment, there will be sufficient time to reschedule and still adequately protect the dog.
• Puppies that undergo a series of vaccinations for other diseases, such as distemper and parvovirus, can include leptospiral vaccines during two of their regularly scheduled appointments.
• Place follow-up phone calls to remind clients a day ahead of their appointments.
• If an appointment is missed, call the client daily until an appointment is rescheduled.
• Ensure updated annual vaccine reminder cards, including leptospirosis, are sent to clients.