08/31/2026
🌧️ Rainy season reminder for dog owners
Here in Wilmington, hurricane season means lots of rain, standing water, flooded yards, and those lovely roadside puddles that seem to appear after every storm. 😅
That standing water can be more than just messy.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can be spread through the urine of infected wildlife and rodents. Dogs can be exposed through contaminated water, wet soil, puddles, and other outdoor areas. It can cause serious kidney and liver disease, and it can also spread to people.
With our warm, wet climate, frequent rain, wildlife, and drainage issues, it’s worth asking your veterinarian whether your dog is current on the leptospirosis vaccine.
And this isn’t only a concern for dogs that hike, swim, or live in the country. Dogs in suburban and urban neighborhoods can be exposed too. In fact, the American Animal Hospital Association updated its guidelines in 2024 to recommend leptospirosis as a core vaccine for all dogs, unless there’s a medical reason not to vaccinate.
So while we may not be able to convince our dogs that roadside puddles are not artisanal drinking fountains… 😂 we can take steps to protect them.
Talk with your veterinarian about what’s appropriate for your dog. 🐾
