Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that develops secondary to the exposure of contaminated food/water or from the urine of infected wildlife. The bacterium most commonly affects the kidneys and liver but also may spread throughout the body. The clinical signs of this disease are many, and many of these signs mimic other more common kidney and liver diseases making this disease more difficult to identify. For years, this vaccination seemed to have caused more problems than good and due to the many strains of the bacteria more difficult to vaccinate against. Today there are newer vaccines available which cause less side effects and are more effective.
**PLEASE NOTE: This bacteria also poses a risk to humans as it can be spread through contact with breaks in the skin and mucous membranes.