Leptospirosis, Rabies and Other Diseases Pets Can Share With People

What a city walk can expose your dog to

A normal walk in Woodridge or Edgewood passes alley trash cans, puddles after a storm, tree boxes other dogs have used, and, after dark, the odd raccoon. Most of the time nothing comes of it. Still, a few infections can pass from wildlife to dogs, and from pets to the people who live with them.

DC Health defines zoonotic diseases, or zoonoses, as infections that can spread between animals and people, caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites. Some make both animals and people sick; some make only people sick. DC Health also notes that living with pets brings real health benefits, and that for most people the risk is small and easy to lower.

Our older post on dog care in Washington, DC covers food, exercise, grooming and checking for fleas and ticks in warm weather. This guide adds the disease side, with what DC Health and CDC say.

Rabies in DC

DC Health says rabies is a fatal disease spread through the saliva of a rabid animal, most often by a bite, though scratches and saliva on broken skin, eyes or mouth can also spread it. In DC it is most commonly found in bats, raccoons, foxes and skunks. DC Health tests hundreds of animals each year; most are negative, but rabid animals are found every year. Dogs and cats can get rabies if they are not vaccinated, while it is rarely seen in rodents such as squirrels and rats.

DC Health asks you to avoid any animal acting abnormally: one that is unusually aggressive, active in daytime when it normally comes out at night, or drooling and struggling to swallow. Never touch a bat, and see a doctor right away if you think a bat bit or scratched you.

DC Code § 8-1803 says an owner of a dog over 4 months old shall have it vaccinated against rabies and distemper, and that cats over 4 months must be vaccinated against rabies under the Mayor's rules. DC Health holds free rabies vaccination clinics during the year; call DC Animal Care and Control at (202) 888-PETS (7387) for dates. Licensing is covered in our guide on how to license your dog in Washington, DC.

If your pet meets wildlife, or an animal bites

DC Health gives these steps. Check the current guidance with DC Health, because quarantine decisions are made case by case.

• A wild animal bites or scratches your pet: confine the wild animal only if you can do it without touching it. DC Health suggests not handling your pet for at least two hours after a fight, or wearing heavy gloves if you must, then washing your hands. Call DC Animal Care and Control at (202) 888-PETS (7387).
• Your vaccinated pet is attacked by another animal: DC Health says to have it examined by a licensed veterinarian immediately. Based on its vaccine history, DC Health may require a quarantine.
• Your dog or cat bites a person: DC Health says DC regulations (DCMR 22-B203) require you to keep the animal quarantined on your property for 10 days, with DC Animal Control inspecting it on the first and last day.
• An animal bites you: DC Health says to wash the wound right away with plenty of soap and water for several minutes, get prompt medical care, and report the bite.

Leptospirosis: rats, puddles and urine

CDC describes leptospirosis as a bacterial disease spread through the urine of infected animals, including rats and other rodents, and through water or soil that urine has contaminated. Floodwater and heavy rain raise the risk. CDC says almost every dog is at risk, whether it lives in the country, the suburbs or the city, and that risk is higher for dogs that roam near wildlife or contaminated water or mix with other dogs at dog parks, boarding or training facilities.

CDC lists early signs in dogs as fever, depression, lethargy, loss of appetite, joint or muscle pain, eye and nose discharge, changes in how much they urinate, and jaundice. A vaccine for dogs is available in the United States, though CDC says it does not give 100 percent protection because there are many strains; there is no cat vaccine in the U.S. If your pet is sick, CDC advises avoiding contact with its urine, wearing gloves for cleanup and washing your hands.

DC Health's zoonotic disease page lists leptospirosis among the diseases it tracks in animals seen at DC veterinary facilities. Its pages did not show a current pet advisory when this guide was checked. Ask your vet whether the leptospirosis vaccine makes sense for your dog.

Pet waste, parasites and hand washing

CDC says dog and cat poop can contain parasites and germs that can make people sick, and that hand washing is one of the most effective ways to stay healthy around animals. Wash with soap and running water after touching pets, handling their food or supplies, and cleaning up after them; CDC says hand sanitizer is a fallback when soap and water are not available. CDC also advises bagging dog waste, cleaning litter boxes daily and keeping pet bowls and supplies out of the kitchen.

DC Health adds that raccoon droppings can carry a parasite, Baylisascaris, that is deadly to people, so never clean up after wildlife bare-handed. It also suggests covering sandboxes and says pregnant women should avoid cleaning litter boxes if possible. DC's waste pickup rules are in our guide to DC leash and dog waste rules.

Who is at higher risk, and where a walker fits

CDC says children younger than 5, people 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get sick from animals, and DC Health gives a similar list. CDC adds that pregnant women face higher risk from some diseases carried by cats and rodents. If someone in your home is in one of these groups, talk with your doctor and your vet about extra steps.

Puppies and dog parks bring their own questions about timing and exposure; see when a new puppy can start walks and dog parks vs leashed neighborhood walks. Our dog walking and pet sitting services, described in our post on daily pet sitting care in DC, keep your pet's routine going, but a walker or sitter does not replace a vet. Vaccines and parasite prevention are decisions to make with your vet. If your dog is unwell, tell your walker before the next walk, especially before a group walk with other dogs.