How Much Does the Lepto Vaccine for Dogs Cost? (2024 Guide)

The Lepto vaccine costs $15 to $45 for dogs. Your price depends on your location, your vet, whether the Lepto vaccine is combined with another vaccine, and if your veterinarian requires an exam to administer it. 

Let’s take a closer look at the factors that affect the Lepto vaccine cost.

Location

According to the American Kennel Club, veterinarians in larger, more populated areas can and will charge more than those in rural, smaller towns. 

Vet’s Office

The cost of the Lepto vaccine can also fluctuate depending on where you bring your dog, whether it be a veterinarian’s office, a vet clinic or an animal hospital. The latter often charges more for visits, services and treatments, but you may find clinics in your area that offer low-cost or free vaccinations. 

Combination Vaccine

Vets can administer the Lepto vaccine on its own, but it’s frequently combined with other vaccines. For example, your vet may recommend the DHLP-PV vaccine, which is a combo vaccine including distemper, hepatitis, Leptospirosis, parainfluenza and parvovirus. 

The Lepto vaccine may also be sold as part of a vaccination package. For example, the Vetco vaccination clinic (Petco’s on-site vet care center) offers a Best Care Dog Package that includes the Leptospirosis vaccine plus vaccines for distemper, parvovirus, bordetella and Lyme disease, roundworm/hookworm dewormer, and a tick/heartworm test. 

Vet Exam

Some veterinarians require an exam before administering the Lepto vaccine. For example, Banfield Animal Hospital requires that vaccinations be given during an office visit, which can be either a consultation or a physical exam. Based on pricing we found for Columbia, South Carolina, an office visit costs $55.95 and the Leptospirosis vaccine costs $21.14. Though the vaccine cost is low, you would spend about $78 for the complete visit.

Leptospirosis is a disease dogs contract from Leptospira bacteria that makes its way into your pup’s bloodstream, affecting its kidneys and liver. Leptospira bacteria are most commonly found in soil, mud and open water — typically puddles, streams, lakes and rivers. The bacteria are transmitted to these areas from wildlife urine or farm animals in the area.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs living in the United States are most commonly exposed to leptospirosis if they do the following:

• Drink or swim in rivers, lakes or streams
• Live or play near wooded areas or farms
• Are exposed to wild animals, rodents or farm animals (such as deer, raccoons or skunks)
• Come into contact with other infected dogs

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, which means that it can spread from animals to people. If the disease is not quickly diagnosed and treated, it could cause severe symptoms in your dog and even be fatal.

Benefits of the Lepto Vaccine

Based on research completed by the American Animal Hospital Association, vaccines can be separated into two categories: core and non-core. Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs despite their lifestyle and include adenovirus, distemper, parainfluenza, parvovirus and the rabies vaccine. 

The Lepto vaccine is considered a non-core vaccine. These vaccines are recommended for dogs based on their lifestyle, location and exposure risk. Consider these factors when determining if your dog needs the Lepto vaccine. The vaccine is beneficial to dogs that have an active outdoor lifestyle, especially in the aforementioned areas.

Should your dog contract Leptospirosis, the symptoms may not show up immediately. Symptoms that do appear can mirror symptoms of several other diseases, making it difficult for your vet to diagnose right away. By the time the proper tests and lab work are completed, the disease can progress to a stage where treatment is ineffective and, sadly, could prove fatal to your beloved dog. Getting your dog vaccinated against Leptospirosis will ensure it’s protected.

When To Take Your Dog to the Vet for Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis can live in your pet’s system undetected, but these are the most common symptoms:

• Appetite loss
• Bloody diarrhea
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Increased thirst and urination or dehydration (a sign of renal failure)
• Jaundice (yellow pigmentation of the skin, gums, eyes, etc.)
• Lethargy
• Sore muscles, stiffness or weakness
• Sudden fever or shivering
• Vomiting

Bring your dog to the vet immediately if you notice any of the above symptoms. Your vet will prescribe antibiotics to treat Leptospirosis, which may or may not have side effects. Depending on the stage of the illness, your infected animal may need to undergo additional procedures to treat severe symptoms.

The Lepto vaccine contains an inactive form of four serovars (or types) of Leptospira bacteria. 

Once injected, your dog’s immune system will produce antibodies to fight off the disease. Your dog may experience some mild side effects after vaccination, such as tiredness, soreness or appetite loss, but this is rare.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, your dog will receive two shots for the Leptospirosis vaccine, with the second occurring two to four weeks after the first dose. This will protect your dog for 12 months. After that, an annual booster will be needed to protect your dog. 

Dogs can begin receiving the Lepto vaccination when they’re puppies — usually around 8 to 12 weeks old. The vaccine can also be administered to adult dogs.

The Leptospirosis vaccine is optional, but you should consider adding it to your dog’s vaccination schedule, especially if you live near wild or farm animals. The vaccine costs $15 to $45, though it could be more if you give your dog a combination vaccine, such as the DHLPP vaccine.

We recommend investing in a pet insurance policy to cover your dog’s vaccinations or treatment related to contracting Leptospirosis, such as hospitalization, lab work or prescription medications. Treatment for a condition such as Leptospirosis can cost thousands of dollars, and pet insurance from a top provider such as Lemonade, Spot or Healthy Paws can reduce this cost greatly.

Below are some helpful pet insurance resources to help you decide if a pet insurance policy is right for you and your furry friend: 

• Pet Insurance Cost
• What Is Pet Insurance?
• How Does Pet Insurance Work?
• Cheap Pet Insurance Companies
• Lemonade Pet Insurance Reviews
• Spot Pet Insurance Reviews