PAH is changing from a vaccine that protects against a single leptospirosis strain to a newer vaccine that protects against multiple strains.

The newer vaccine provides broader and more complete protection against the varieties of leptospirosis that may affect dogs in Sydney.

Your veterinarian will review your dog’s vaccination history and explain exactly what is required.

When your dog first receives the new multi-strain leptospirosis vaccine, they will need:

• The new vaccine at their usual vaccination and health-check appointment.
• A leptospirosis booster approximately two to four weeks later.

The booster appointment will cost approximately $80.

This additional booster is only required when your dog changes to the new vaccine. After the initial course has been completed, your dog will return to receiving one leptospirosis vaccination each year.

The new vaccine protects against additional leptospirosis strains that were not included in the previous vaccine.

Two appropriately spaced doses are required to establish reliable protection against these additional strains.

The first vaccination introduces the immune system to the vaccine. The second dose strengthens and completes the initial immune response.

This is why the additional booster is needed during the transition, even when your dog has previously been vaccinated against leptospirosis.

No.

The additional booster is only required when your dog first changes to the new multi-strain vaccine.

Once the initial two-dose course has been completed, your dog will return to receiving one leptospirosis vaccination each year, as usual.

The newer vaccine has been available for several years. Until recently, we did not believe that changing vaccines was necessary for dogs living in our local area.

However, more cases have now been diagnosed across Sydney, with the closest recent case reported in Mosman.

When leptospirosis is diagnosed, testing may be performed to identify the serovar, or particular variety, of Leptospira involved. This helps veterinarians understand which strains are circulating.

Based on the increasing number and geographical spread of cases, we now believe the multi-strain vaccine provides more appropriate protection for our patients.

Yes.

PAH began routinely recommending leptospirosis vaccination in June 2021 after one of our own patients, who had not left the local area, sadly died from the disease.

This case confirmed that leptospirosis is present on the Northern Beaches. Further cases have since been reported across Sydney.

Leptospirosis can cause sudden and severe illness, including:

• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Bleeding disorders
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Jaundice
• Weakness and collapse
• Damage to other organs

Recent Sydney cases have been extremely serious, with approximately half of the affected dogs dying from the infection.

Some dogs have recovered completely, but they have often required weeks of intensive treatment in specialist veterinary hospitals.

Leptospira bacteria are carried by animals, particularly rats and mice, and are shed in their urine.

Dogs may be exposed through contaminated:

• Water
• Puddles
• Mud or damp soil
• Grass and gardens
• Food or water bowls
• Drains and undergrowth
• Surfaces visited by rats or other carrier animals

A dog does not need to live on a farm, swim in a lake or directly encounter a rat to be exposed. Leptospirosis can occur in urban and suburban environments.

Yes.

Although exposure to waterways, mud and wildlife can increase the risk, many infections occur in ordinary urban and suburban environments.

Rats and other carrier animals can contaminate backyards, parks, footpaths, gardens, drains and shared water sources.

The recent Sydney cases demonstrate that leptospirosis is not limited to rural areas.

Yes.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, which means it can potentially spread from infected animals to people.

People may be exposed through contact with infected urine or contaminated water, soil or surfaces.

Vaccinating dogs helps protect both pets and the people who care for them.

As with any medication or vaccination, side effects are possible, but most dogs experience no significant problems.

Some dogs may be slightly tired or have mild tenderness at the injection site for a day or two. Serious vaccination reactions are uncommon.

Please tell us if your dog has previously experienced a vaccination reaction or has any significant health concerns.

Contact us promptly if your dog develops facial swelling, repeated vomiting, breathing difficulties, collapse or any other concerning signs after vaccination.

Please contact our reception or veterinary team.

There is usually an acceptable window around the recommended booster date, and we can help arrange the most appropriate appointment.

It is important not to miss the booster entirely, as the initial course may not provide complete protection without the second dose.

The vaccine we previously used combined single-strain leptospirosis protection with protection against canine enteric coronavirus.

Our priority is now to provide broader protection against the leptospirosis strains presenting the greatest concern to dogs in Sydney.

The new vaccine provides more complete leptospirosis coverage but does not include canine coronavirus.

One reason we see very few cases of several serious infectious diseases on the Northern Beaches is that local dog owners maintain high vaccination rates.

Vaccination does not become unnecessary because a disease has become uncommon. In many cases, the disease has become uncommon because vaccination is working.

The three major core diseases affecting dogs are:

• Canine distemper
• Infectious canine hepatitis
• Canine parvovirus

These diseases can be severe or fatal.

They are now amazingly rare on the Northern Beaches, but parvovirus remains a constant and deadly problem in some other areas of Sydney and Australia.

Maintaining high vaccination rates helps protect both individual dogs and the wider dog population.

No.

Puppies initially receive a series of vaccinations while their immune system develops.

They then receive an adult booster at approximately 15 months of age.

After this, the core vaccine protecting against distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus generally only needs to be given every three years.

Your dog should still have a veterinary health assessment every year, even when the three-yearly core vaccination is not due.

Canine cough, also known as canine infectious respiratory disease complex, is different from the three core viral diseases.

The Northern Beaches is a hotspot for canine cough because our dogs are highly social. Many regularly attend:

• Doggy daycare
• Dog parks
• Grooming salons
• Training classes
• Boarding facilities
• Beaches and walking areas
• Cafés and other dog-friendly venues

Canine cough can be caused by several different viruses and bacteria.

Vaccination cannot protect against every possible cause, but we find vaccinated dogs are much less likely to experience severe bouts of infectious respiratory disease.

Because this protection is shorter-lived, the canine cough vaccination is generally given every year.

The oral component protects against Bordetella bronchiseptica, one of the important bacterial causes of canine cough.

Placing the vaccine into the mouth allows it to stimulate local immunity in the tissues of the mouth and throat, which are among the first areas exposed to respiratory organisms.

The vaccine contains a specially prepared form of the bacteria that is designed to stimulate immunity without causing the harmful disease.

It does not give your dog canine cough.

Your dog’s vaccination schedule will depend on their age, previous vaccination history, health and lifestyle.

Most adult dogs attending PAH will receive:

• An annual leptospirosis vaccination
• An annual canine cough vaccination
• A distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus vaccination every three years when due

During the transition to the new leptospirosis vaccine, dogs will also require an additional leptospirosis booster approximately two weeks later.

Your dog’s annual appointment is not simply an appointment to administer vaccinations.

Dogs age much faster than people, and changes in their health can develop quite quickly. A thorough annual examination helps us identify abnormalities early, when they may be easier to investigate, manage or treat.

During the appointment, we examine your dog and discuss areas including:

• Weight and body condition
• Diet and nutrition
• Exercise
• Joint health and mobility
• Skin and coat health
• Dental health
• Heart and lung health
• Lumps and other physical changes
• Behaviour
• Changes in drinking, urination, appetite or energy
• Age-related health concerns

These discussions help us plan for the different stages of your dog’s life and support them in living their happiest and healthiest life.

Yes.

We can review whether your dog is appropriately protected against:

• Paralysis ticks
• Fleas
• Heartworm
• Intestinal worms
• Leptospirosis
• Canine cough
• Distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus

Preventative products can be confusing because they have different dosing intervals and do not all protect against the same parasites.

Simply complete our Preventative Health Review and our team will check that your dog’s protection is complete, identify any gaps and add the information to your pet’s clinical history.

The early signs of leptospirosis can be vague and may include:

• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Lethargy
• Reduced appetite
• Fever
• Shivering
• Weakness
• Increased thirst or urination

As the disease progresses, dogs may develop jaundice, kidney or liver failure, bleeding problems or collapse.

If your dog is unwell and is not fully vaccinated against leptospirosis, contact us immediately.

Please speak with one of our veterinarians or reception team.

We are happy to review your dog’s vaccination history and explain exactly what will be needed during the changeover.

You do not need to work out the schedule yourself. Your veterinarian will manage the transition and let you know when the booster is due.