Clayton Animal Hospital

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is carried by common wildlife and rodents.
This disease causes high fever, jaundice, vomiting, and in severe cases, fatal liver
and kidney damage. Current vaccines against canine leptospirosis have been
available for many years and offer protection against two different strains of the
disease. However, recent research has shown that other strains of leptospirosis
have emerged and are on the rise. Because leptospiral vaccines are
strain-specific, older vaccines are not able to protect against these newer strains.

Fortunately, a new vaccine has been introduced that offers dogs the protection
against the older strains of leptospirosis and two addtitional strains, L.
grippotyphosa and L. Pomona. We are now using this vaccine at Clayton Animal
Hospital to protect your dog from this re-emerging disease. Canine leptospirosis is
a dangerous threat to dogs, and our veterinary hospital is now recommending this
new vaccine for our canine patients.

This vaccine is given in a two-dose series. Your dog will receive an initial dose of
vaccine followed by a booster given three weeks after the first. After this initial
series, the vaccine will be given as part of your dog's semi-annual vaccination
series.

Thank you for taking the time to read this important information. Please make sure
to schedule an appointment at our veterinary hospital for your dog's leptospirosis
booster today.