leptospirosis Archives - Animal Emergency Care (AEC) Bellingham, WA https://animalemergencycare.net/aecprevents/tag/leptospirosis/ Animal Emergency Care Sat, 08 Aug 2026 04:18:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://animalemergencycare.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/AEClogo_WebTransparent_ColorImage-150x150.png leptospirosis Archives - Animal Emergency Care (AEC) Bellingham, WA https://animalemergencycare.net/aecprevents/tag/leptospirosis/ 32 32 What is a SNAP® test? https://animalemergencycare.net/aecprevents/what-is-a-snap-test/ Sat, 01 Aug 2026 22:27:06 +0000 https://animalemergencycare.net/?p=2344 Our pets talk to us in their own ways, but unfortunately, we cannot rely on them to explain if they feel unwell. Veterinary personnel use multiple diagnostic methods to get the important health information a pet cannot say in words. What is a SNAP test? Rapid screenings like SNAP tests can be done in the […]

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Our pets talk to us in their own ways, but unfortunately, we cannot rely on them to explain if they feel unwell. Veterinary personnel use multiple diagnostic methods to get the important health information a pet cannot say in words. What is a SNAP test? Rapid screenings like SNAP tests can be done in the hospital during your visit, so conversations about your pet’s health can be had immediately. The Animal Emergency Care team wants to help you understand the benefits and limitations of SNAP tests as a veterinary tool.

What is a SNAP® test?

A SNAP test is a combination of technology and process that yields results quickly and at relatively low expense. While SNAP seems like an acronym, IDEXX actually named it for the sound the cartridge makes as it “snaps” into the device. This device is a complex digital tool called the analyzer.

There are varieties of SNAP tests that yield simultaneous results for multiple diseases using a single sample. SNAP tests allow convenient rapid screening for several infectious diseases, including but not limited to:

    • Ehrlichiosis

    • Giardia

    • Heartworm

These are potentially fatal diseases, some of which can be cured and some of which can only be managed. Your pet (and pets they come in contact with) are safer the earlier they are diagnosed.

At the time of this article’s publication, Animal Emergency Care offers the following SNAP tests: SNAP Parvo, SNAP Lepto, SNAP Giardia, SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo, SNAP Feline proBNP (a cardiac screening for cats), and SNAP 4DX Plus (a screen for multiple vector-borne illnesses, including heartworm disease, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis). 

How does the SNAP test rapid screening work?

First, the veterinary team will take a small blood or stool sample from your pet. The sample required depends on the type of test.

After adding a patient’s blood or fecal sample and a reagent to the test strip, the technician “snaps” the cartridge into the analyzer. The analyzer looks similar to a debit card reader at the grocery store. Instead of a card, it accepts a larger cartridge that houses a diagnostic test strip.

It typically takes only 8-10 minutes for results. This quick turnaround means you and you pet’s care team can discuss health issues during your visit, instead of waiting for results from an off-site lab.

When your pet has an infection, the bacteria, virus, or parasite will begin to shed proteins that betray its presence. These proteins are called antigens. Your pet’s immune system will react to the infection by creating another type of protein called antibodies. The analyzer identifies the infection by releasing chemicals which will react to specific antigens or antibodies if they are present in your pet’s blood or stool sample.

Limitations regarding SNAP test results

SNAP test results are highly accurate, but they require nuance and knowledge to interpret.

For instance, a SNAP test that is performed too soon after exposure may yield a false negative. False negatives most often occur when the foreign agent has not yet had enough time to generate target proteins at a high enough concentration for detection. In such cases, a pet may need to be retested after more time passes. Similarly, positive SNAP results for tickborne illness don’t necessarily indicate an active sickness. It only means the pet has been exposed. Your veterinarian will ask you for context that helps determine next steps. This could include monitoring your pet, additional tests, or beginning treatment.

At emergency veterinary hospitals like Animal Emergency Care, we almost exclusively see pets who are not only symptomatic, but whose symptoms require urgent care. Diagnostics like SNAP tests help a veterinarian determine likely causes for a patient’s symptoms and put together a plan to pursue appropriate treatment.

Outside of the emergency hospital, rapid screening tests like these are routinely used in preventative medicine, often as part of your pet’s yearly checkup with their family veterinarian. 

SNAP tests for yearly screening

One of the strongest advantages to SNAP tests is the prospect of catching hidden illness before complications are severe.

Tick-borne diseases can cause clinical symptoms such as fever, joint pain, or lethargy—but patients sometimes fail to present signs at all. To avoid false negatives for tick-borne illness, consider scheduling a yearly test with your regular vet in late autumn or winter.

A dog with a heartworm infection might cough, have breathing problems, or lose weight, but your pet could suffer extensive damage from these parasites before they show any noticeable indication of infection. While some regions have higher rates of heartworm infection, dogs have been diagnosed with heartworm in every U.S. state.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are among the most common infections among cats. These pets can live longer, healthier lives if their infections are properly managed.

Paying for diagnostic tests

While a single SNAP test is not necessarily considered an expensive procedure, they are often just one small piece of a diagnostic and treatment plan for a pet who needs emergency medical care. To help alleviate the worry about paying for care so you can focus on your pet, Animal Emergency Care accepts pet insurance and offers our clients a number of financing options and payment plans. Never hesitate to reach out to our team to explore ways to get your animal the care they need. We’re here to help!

If your cat or dog is injured or experiencing an urgent health concern on a night, weekend, or holiday when your regular veterinarian is unavailable, contact Animal Emergency Care and bring your pet in for treatment. #AECprevents

Sources

https://www.idexx.co.uk/files/snap-ecosystem-brochure-2024-en-gb.pdf

https://kintekdetection.com/faqs/what-are-snap-tests-and-what-do-they-screen-for

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102899&Id=9494666

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/circulatory-system/heartworm-disease/heartworm-disease-in-dogs-cats-and-ferrets

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-leukemia-virus

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]]> Does Your Dog Need A Leptospirosis Vaccine? https://animalemergencycare.net/aecprevents/does-your-dog-need-a-leptospirosis-vaccine/ Thu, 05 Jan 2023 20:46:05 +0000 https://animalemergencycare.net/?p=308 Outdoor adventures with your favorite furry pal require planning and preparation to ensure you have all the necessary supplies to stay safe and have fun. You may need specialized leashes or harnesses with packs for your dog to carry their water bowls and snacks when you head outdoors with your pup. You will also need to ensure your dog has their core vaccinations such as rabies and distemper that will protect them from wildlife and other canine friends. Your family veterinarian may also recommend non-core vaccinations such as leptospirosis. Our Animal Emergency Care team dives deep into leptospirosis to ensure you understand why your veterinarian may recommend this important vaccine.  

The post Does Your Dog Need A Leptospirosis Vaccine? appeared first on Animal Emergency Care (AEC) Bellingham, WA.

]]> Outdoor adventures with your favorite furry pal require planning and preparation to ensure you have all the necessary supplies to stay safe and have fun. You may need specialized leashes or harnesses with packs for your dog to carry their water bowls and snacks when you head outdoors with your pup. You will also need to ensure your dog has their core vaccinations such as rabies and distemper that will protect them from wildlife and other canine friends. Your family veterinarian may also recommend non-core vaccinations such as leptospirosis. Our Animal Emergency Care team dives deep into leptospirosis to ensure you understand why your veterinarian may recommend this important vaccine.  

What is leptospirosis in dogs? 

Leptospirosis is a serious life-threatening blood infection caused by spiral-shaped bacteria referred to as spirochetes. This infectious bacteria has many species, although fewer than ten species or serovars threaten animal health. The bacteria live in slow-moving or standing water such as a puddle after a rainstorm but can survive for months in the soil after the water has cleared. Dogs serve as the primary host for this bacteria although many other mammalian species, including humans, can be infected. Dogs of any age, breed, or sex are at risk of becoming infected. Wildlife such as raccoons or rats often spread this bacteria through their bodily fluids, especially their urine. Dogs commonly become infected from:

  • Drinking contaminated water
  • Swimming or stepping in contaminated water with cut paws or irritated skin
  • Bite wounds
  • Eating infected tissue

Leptospirosis signs in dogs

Leptospirosis spreads quickly through the bloodstream of infected dogs but can take up to a week before any disease signs are present. The bacteria initially inflames the blood vessels as they travel through the body but can affect any organ system. Some form of kidney damage occurs in more than 87% of infected dogs. Clinical signs can vary from mild to severe and include:

  • Fever
  • Muscle stiffness and pain 
  • Bruising
  • Bleeding
  • Poor appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Yellowing skin (i.e., jaundice)
  • Tissue edema
  • Abdominal pain
  • Cloudy eyes
  • Vomiting
  • Lethargy
  • Increased, decreased, or absent urination
  • Dehydration

Dogs whose lungs become infected with these spirochetes are at risk of developing leptospiral pulmonary hemorrhagic syndrome which is a fatal condition in more than 70% of cases. Some animals who become infected with leptospirosis will also have irreversible immune problems and chronic kidney or liver disease regardless of treatment. 

Leptospirosis diagnosis and treatment in dogs 

Bring your dog for immediate veterinary care if they show leptospirosis signs after exposure to wildlife or standing water. Your family veterinarian will discuss your dog’s history and perform a thorough physical examination, and may recommend several blood and urine tests including:

  • Complete blood count (CBC)  — This test will help evaluate whether your dog has an infection or any internal bleeding.
  • Serum chemistry —This test is important to evaluate the health of the kidneys, liver, and other organs. 
  • Electrolytes —Many dogs with this infection become dehydrated and have imbalanced electrolyte levels.  
  • Serologic tests — These blood or urine tests will aid in determining if signs are consistent with leptospirosis. 

Your dog will likely need to stay in a veterinary hospital for several days depending on the severity of illness related to leptospirosis. Fortunately, this infection is extremely responsive to antibiotic therapy, but your dog will need additional care to treat the bacteria-associated illnesses. Leptospirosis treatment may include:

  • Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy
  • Pain medication
  • Anti-nausea medication
  • Gastrointestinal protectants
  • Liver support medication

Dogs diagnosed with leptospirosis will need antibiotics for at least two weeks and will likely need follow-up appointments to monitor for any long-term organ damage. You must always wear gloves when handling your infected dog until your family veterinarian confirms the infection has been cleared from their system.

Financial planning for dogs undergoing treatment for leptospirosis

Treatment and post-recovery monitoring of dogs infected with leptospirosis can be expensive. Pet insurance plans like Trupanion Express have policies available to alleviate the financial stress of an unexpected illness and hospitalization. However, you must research and choose a plan before your dog needs urgent care and treatment. Many financial institutions also offer pet health savings accounts which also are a great way to plan ahead for unexpected and costly veterinary treatment. Alternate payment methods such as Care Credit, Scratch Pay, and short-term bank loans can also alleviate your concerns about paying a large unexpected veterinary bill by allowing you to spread out the payments. 

Preventing leptospirosis in your dog

Vaccination against the most common leptospirosis serovars is the most effective way to prevent any associated clinical illness in your dog. Other prevention methods include:

  • Avoiding areas of standing water
  • Controlling rodents and other wildlife around your home and immediate environment
  • Avoiding letting your dog swim in lakes around heavily wooded areas
  • Designating a specific location for your dog to eliminate while undergoing treatment
  • Ensuring your dog does not eat wildlife 

Call our office if your dog has signs consistent with leptospirosis or you are worried they may have contacted contaminated water. We recommend having your dog vaccinated with your family veterinarian to prevent this potentially deadly infection. #AECprevents

Sources:

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951453

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/leptospirosis/leptospirosis-in-dogs?query=leptospirosis%20dogs

https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2017-09/leptospirosis-the-vaccine-preventable-great-pretender

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