Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease most commonly caused when pets come into contact with contaminated soil, water, food, or bedding. There are more than 260 strains of the Leptospira bacteria, including Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona, and Grippotyphosa. Dogs are generally vaccinated for these strains, but unfortunately, there is no vaccine available for cats.
While infection is rare among cats and cases are generally mild, leptospirosis can cause liver and kidney failure. Dogs may even develop severe lung disease or bleeding disorders. In cats, it is thought that leptospirosis may be responsible for the development of chronic renal failure (Trusted Source) at a later date.
🚨 Leptospirosis is transmissible between pets and people. If your pet has been diagnosed with the disease, wash your hands after handling your pet and wear gloves when cleaning up after them.
Leptospirosis is less well understood for cats than dogs, but in general, cats rarely show symptoms while they’re infected. Researchers say that there may be a link to future chronic kidney disease. Signs of kidney damage in cats can include:
Outdoor cats have a much higher risk of contracting leptospirosis than indoor-only cats, as they may have contact with the urine of infected animals found in the soil, standing water, and on plants. There’s also a greater chance outdoor cats will suffer cuts and abrasions, which lead to moist, weakened skin where bacteria can enter the body, or become infected by coming in direct contact with wild animals. For example, cats that hunt and eat infected mice (Trusted Source) may become ill with leptospirosis.
Because leptospirosis can be transmitted to humans (also known as a “zoonotic” disease), vets have to take extra precautions when testing any pet for this condition. Latex or nitrile gloves should be worn at all times, and all body fluids are treated as biologically hazardous materials. Once the examination begins, the vet will conduct a number of common diagnostic procedures, including:
Treatment for a leptospirosis infection will ultimately depend on how severe it is when it’s caught. Mild infections can be treated with a course of antibiotics, but more severe cases can lead to long-term kidney disease, multiple organ failure, and even death. Severe illness will require immediate hospitalization, but cats have an especially good progress for recovery as long as the infection is caught early.
Leptospirosis is very rare in cats and most of the time goes undiagnosed. I don't know of any recent studies on carrier states and rates of infection. Generally speaking, a plethora of other serious diseases would be ruled out before jumping to feline lepto, unless a family member or dog in the family was diagnosed first. It's a case of looking for horses and not zebras when you hear galloping hooves.
Dr. Bruce Armstrong
The type of antibiotic the vet uses to treat your cat’s leptospirosis will differ depending on the stage of infection, but you can generally expect courses to last for at least four weeks. Penicillin and ampicillin are effective for inhibiting growth in the early stages of the infection, but are unable to eliminate the bacteria once it’s reached the carrier stage.
Carrier stage cases of leptospirosis require antibiotics that more effectively reach the bone tissue, including tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and doxycycline. These antibiotics may result in adverse reactions and side effects. Keep an eye on your cat at all times throughout their treatment, and notify your vet ASAP if you suspect something’s off.
Milder cases of leptospirosis may not require a two-stage antibiotic treatment, and can often be treated with doxycycline alone.
If your cat is experiencing dehydration or vomiting as a result of leptospirosis, they may require a combination of fluid therapy and anti-vomiting drugs, also known as antiemetics. Alternatively, a gastric tube can be used to help feed your cat essential vitamins and nutrients when they are unable to keep it down. In cases of anemia or blood loss, a blood transfusion may also be required.
If your cat has been diagnosed with kidney disease as a result of a leptospirosis infection, more extensive treatment may be necessary. This can include a special diet to limit your cat’s phosphorus and protein levels, as well as dietary supplements like fish oil, which has been shown to boost kidney function. (Trusted Source)
Kidney disease caused by leptospirosis is a chronic condition. That means it can’t be cured completely, but its progression can be slowed and symptoms can be minimized with the right treatment plan.
Leptospirosis is a serious condition that can be spread to all mammals, including humans. That means you need to be extra careful around your cat as long as they are carrying the infection. Follow these precautions to keep yourself, your family, and your other pets safe over the course of your cat’s treatment.
Once your cat is discharged from veterinary care, they should be isolated from pets and people for at least six weeks to prevent the spread of infection.
During treatment, always wear gloves when feeding and cleaning their litter box. Use iodine-based disinfectants or bleach solutions when cleaning the litter box and immediately dispose of any waste outside your house. For added safety, you may wish to double-bag your pet’s waste during their treatment to prevent wild animals from getting into it. Last but not least, be sure to wash your hands (Trusted Source) every time you come in contact with your cat.
If any children or pets were present in your home before your cat’s diagnosis, it may be best to have them tested for leptospirosis, too. Remember: this infection is more easily treated the earlier it’s detected. After the initial six week quarantine has ended, it’s also advised to run follow-up tests with your vet to ensure your cat is no longer in the carrier stage of the infection.
Leptospirosis is not only expensive to treat — it’s a potentially life-threatening condition that’s capable of spreading to every member of your family (furry and otherwise). This makes prevention extra important here. Unfortunately, there’s no widely available vaccine for leptospirosis in cats, and diagnostic tests aren’t always 100% accurate. However, you can still take these steps to minimize your cat’s risk of infection:
Yes. Leptospirosis is a “zoonotic” disease, which means it’s communicable between multiple species of wild and domesticated animals, including dogs, cats, cows, pigs, sheep, and even humans. That’s why it’s so important to take the proper precautions when treating a leptospirosis infection in your pet.
Your veterinarian will take a blood or urine sample from your cat to definitively diagnose leptospirosis. If you suspect your cat has leptospirosis, use caution when interacting with your pet. Wear gloves when cleaning their litter box or accidents outside the litter box. Leptospirosis can be transmitted to you from your cat.
Yes, cats can survive leptospirosis. Treatment with antibiotics and intravenous fluids will eliminate the bacteria while supporting kidney function. On the other hand, a leptospirosis infection may cause cats to develop other, potentially life-threatening conditions like chronic kidney disease.
Leptospirosis is rare in cats, especially in indoor cats. In fact, it was once thought that cats couldn’t get leptospirosis. Additionally, even if a cat does become infected with Leptospira bacteria, they rarely develop clinical signs. If they do develop disease, symptoms are usually mild.
No. There is no vaccine available for leptospirosis in cats. However, there is one available for dogs. To prevent this disease from being transmitted to other pets and people in your household, vaccinate your dog.
