Leptospirosis sounds unfamiliar, yet it is one of the three recommendations on the kennel's list. Here is what it is and how to decide.
Recommended, not required
The kennel's vaccination page lists leptospirosis, heartworm prevention and flea prevention as services it recommends. Dogs must have rabies, distemper/parvo, Bordetella and canine influenza; leptospirosis is the extra step some owners choose. The page says the vaccine may also come combined with the distemper/parvo shot, so check your record to see whether it is already included.
What the disease is
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira bacteria spread in the urine of infected animals. People and animals usually get infected through contaminated water or soil, especially after floods or heavy rain. Dogs are among the many animals that can carry the bacteria, and infected animals may show a wide range of signs or none at all. Early treatment with antibiotics helps, so a dog that seems ill should see a veterinarian promptly.
What the guidelines say
The American Animal Hospital Association's 2022 canine vaccination guidelines list leptospirosis among the core vaccines, meaning vaccines suggested for all dogs unless there is a medical reason not to give them. Other veterinary sources and clinics still treat it as a lifestyle vaccine, so recommendations vary by clinic. AAHA describes a first series of two doses a few weeks apart and then an annual booster. Your veterinarian decides what suits your dog, where you live and how much time your dog spends around standing water, wildlife or farm animals.
In Dixon country
If your dog spends time around ditches, ponds or farm animals, leptospirosis is worth asking about. That is a reason to raise the topic with your vet at the next visit, not a reason for alarm. If you decide to add the vaccine, send the updated record along with your booking request on the booking page.
At Happy Paws the vaccine stays on the recommended list, alongside heartworm and flea prevention.