Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that dogs can pick up from water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, and rodents. City dogs are exposed through puddles, standing water, and shared green spaces. Watch for lethargy, vomiting, fever, and increased thirst, and ask your veterinarian about lifestyle-based vaccination.
What leptospirosis is and how dogs catch it
Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira bacteria that spread through the urine of infected animals. Wildlife that share our city, especially raccoons, skunks, and rodents, can carry the bacteria without looking sick, and every time they urinate they can leave it behind in soil, puddles, and slow moving or standing water, where it can survive for weeks in mild, damp conditions.
Dogs usually become infected when contaminated water or soil touches their mouth, nose, eyes, or a break in the skin. Drinking from a puddle, splashing through a flooded lawn, or sniffing and licking wet ground where wildlife has passed are all realistic routes of exposure. A dog does not need to meet a raccoon face to face to be at risk; contact with what the animal left behind is enough.
Why East Vancouver dogs face a real risk
It is tempting to think of leptospirosis as a countryside problem, but urban neighbourhoods like Renfrew-Collingwood and Hastings-Sunrise are exactly where dogs, wildlife, and wet weather overlap. Raccoons and skunks are thriving city residents, rodents are part of every dense neighbourhood, and our long rainy season keeps lawns, boulevards, and back lanes damp for much of the year.
Shared green spaces add another layer. The same grassy corners, off leash areas, and community gardens that make East Vancouver such a good place to own a dog are also visited overnight by wildlife. Puddles that linger after rain, clogged gutters, birdbaths, and water pooling under hedges can all hold bacteria, and dogs are naturally drawn to sniff and drink from them on their daily walks.
Signs owners may notice at home
The early signs of leptospirosis are easy to mistake for an ordinary off day. Many dogs start with lethargy, a fever, and a loss of appetite. Vomiting is common, and some owners notice their dog drinking much more than usual and needing to urinate more often, which can reflect the strain the infection places on the kidneys.
Because these signs overlap with many other conditions, no one can identify leptospirosis by looking at a dog at home. If your dog seems unusually flat, refuses meals, vomits repeatedly, or shows a clear change in thirst or urination, your veterinarian can examine them, and pet diagnostics such as blood and urine testing help build a clearer picture of what is going on. Sudden, severe signs deserve prompt attention through urgent care rather than a wait and see approach.
Leptospirosis can affect people too
Leptospirosis is zoonotic, which means the bacteria can pass from animals to people, most often through contact with infected urine or contaminated water. This is one of the reasons veterinarians take the disease seriously in city dogs; protecting your pet also helps protect the humans in your household.
Sensible hygiene goes a long way. Wash your hands after cleaning up urine accidents, wear gloves if you are handling bedding or cleaning an area a sick dog has soiled, and keep children away from spots where an unwell dog has urinated until they are cleaned. If your dog is being examined for a possible infection, your veterinary team can walk you through simple precautions for home.
How your veterinary team approaches a suspected case
When a dog arrives with vague signs like fever, vomiting, and lethargy, your veterinarian starts with a thorough physical exam and a conversation about lifestyle: where your dog walks, whether they drink from puddles, and what wildlife visits your yard. That history matters, because a dog who roams damp East Vancouver green spaces has a different risk profile than one who rarely leaves a dry condo patio.
From there, laboratory testing helps confirm or rule out the infection and shows how organs such as the kidneys and liver are coping. Dogs found to have leptospirosis are treated by a veterinarian, and many recover well when the infection is caught early, which is why acting on those first vague signs matters. Our medical services team supports dogs through both testing and recovery.
Preventing leptospirosis on city walks and at home
Prevention starts with small habits. Discourage your dog from drinking out of puddles, ditches, and other standing water, and carry fresh water on walks so there is always a better option. At home, tip out containers that collect rainwater, keep garbage secured so it does not invite raccoons and rodents, and rinse paws after particularly muddy outings.
Vaccination is the other pillar. A leptospirosis vaccine is available, and whether it makes sense for your dog depends on their lifestyle: where they walk, how often they encounter standing water, and how much wildlife traffic your neighbourhood sees. A conversation during a routine visit through our wellness program is the ideal time to weigh your dog’s individual risk and build vaccination into their regular preventive care.
Frequently asked questions
Can my dog get leptospirosis in the city?
Yes. Urban dogs are genuinely at risk because raccoons, skunks, and rodents live throughout East Vancouver and can shed the bacteria in their urine, contaminating puddles, soil, and shared green spaces that dogs sniff and drink from every day.
What are the first signs of leptospirosis in dogs?
Early signs are often vague: lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, and vomiting, sometimes with increased drinking and urination. Because these overlap with many illnesses, a veterinarian needs to examine your dog and run testing to know what is happening.
Can people catch leptospirosis from a dog?
Yes, it is possible, since leptospirosis is zoonotic and spreads through contact with infected urine. Basic hygiene such as hand washing and wearing gloves when cleaning up after an unwell dog greatly reduces the risk to your household.
Is there a vaccine for leptospirosis?
Yes, a vaccine is available for dogs. Whether it suits your dog depends on lifestyle factors like exposure to puddles, standing water, and wildlife, so it is worth discussing with your veterinarian at a routine wellness visit.
Should I stop walking my dog in East Vancouver parks?
No, regular walks are still great for your dog. Focus instead on practical steps: steer your dog away from puddles and stagnant water, bring fresh water along, and talk to your veterinarian about whether lifestyle-based vaccination is right for your dog.