Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease affecting dogs exposed to contaminated water or wildlife urine. Prevention through vaccination and risk management protects dog welfare and reduces human disease risk.
Leptospirosis welfare impacts extend from the acute severe suffering of hepatic and renal failure in infected dogs to the preventable loss of life in unvaccinated animals. The disease is eminently preventable through annual L4 vaccination combined with risk management (avoiding stagnant water, rodent exposure). The welfare tragedy of a dog dying from leptospirosis is compounded by its preventability. Zoonotic risk also creates a human welfare dimension: leptospirosis in humans causes significant illness and occasional death. The One Health perspective on leptospirosis control - preventing dog infection to protect both canine and human welfare - is a compelling case for comprehensive vaccination.