Cherry Hills Veterinary Hospital

05/15/2026

One of the most important reasons to vaccinate your dog against leptospirosis? It can be passed to humans. 🐕➡🧍

According to the CDC, about 1 million cases occur globally each year, with nearly 60,000 deaths. Leptospirosis spreads through the urine of infected animals, which can contaminate water and soil for weeks to months. Risk is even higher after heavy rain, flooding, or hurricanes. 🌧️

When enjoying outdoor activities like swimming🏊, hiking🌲, kayaking🛶, gardening👩‍🌾, hunting🏹, or farming👩‍🌾:
• Cover any open wounds with waterproof bandages
• Avoid drinking from unknown water sources
• Use caution around sick or deceased animals

In people, leptospirosis can look like many other illnesses. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications like kidney damage, liver failure, meningitis, and even death.😣

If you would like to make sure your pet is properly vaccinated for Leptospirosis or would like to get your pet vaccinated for the first time, don’t hesitate to give us a call! Protecting your pet helps protect your whole family.💪 For more information about Leptospirosis in humans, visit the link below:

General information about leptospirosis, including symptoms, treatment, prevention, and resources.

05/14/2026

Let’s talk about the leptospirosis vaccine and clear up some common myths! 🙀

Over the years, this vaccine hasn’t always had the best reputation among pet parents and breeders. But it’s time to separate fact from fiction:

❌Myth #1: The leptospirosis vaccine is dangerous and causes severe reactions.
✅Truth: Older versions of the vaccine were linked to more reactions, especially in small breeds. Today’s vaccines are much safer, with severe reactions occurring in less than 1% of cases. Most reactions, if any, are mild—like temporary soreness at the injection site.

❌Myth #2: My dog doesn’t swim or hunt, so they don’t need it.
✅Truth: While water exposure increases risk, leptospirosis is also spread by rodents and wildlife. Even small dogs in urban environments can be exposed.

❌Myth #3: It’s not common where I live, so my pet isn’t at risk.
✅Truth: Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world (meaning it can spread to humans). Cases have been reported even in dry regions like Arizona.

Bottom line: This disease is more common—and more preventable—than many people realize‼️

Check out these resources to learn more about the leptospirosis vaccine:

This overview on the leptospirosis vaccine goes over the basics, as well as serovars, serogroups, and sequence types.

05/13/2026

Are you concerned about leptospirosis? 🤔 Here’s some good news—there is a vaccine to help protect your dog! 😀

According to an article published by Trends (the official publication of the American Animal Hospital Association, AAHA), a 2023 update from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) recommends that the leptospirosis vaccine be given annually to all dogs starting at 12 weeks of age, regardless of breed. 🐾

Even more important: Due to this guidance and the rising prevalence of leptospirosis in both dogs and humans worldwide, AAHA officially reclassified the leptospirosis vaccine as a core vaccine as of June 2024.

Core vaccines now include 😱:
💉 DA2PP (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus)
💉 Rabies
💉 Leptospirosis

These are recommended for every dog, regardless of lifestyle, because they protect against highly contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
The leptospirosis vaccine not only helps prevent severe illness and death, but it also reduces the spread of the bacteria through urine, helping protect other animals and even people. 😻

Want to learn more? Visit the following website to learn more about the updated AAHA Vaccine Guidelines:

The AAHA 2022 Canine Vaccination Guidelines have now officially been updated to reflect a change in status of the leptospirosis vaccine from non-core to core.

05/12/2026

Leptospirosis: Know the Signs🧐

Leptospirosis can cause a wide range of symptoms in pets, and early detection is so important.

While outdoor cats can be exposed, they often don’t show obvious signs of illness. However, they may still carry and shed the bacteria in their urine. Dogs, on the other hand, are at risk no matter where they live—and the early symptoms can be easy to miss. 🐕🐈

Watch for these signs in your dog:
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy or depression
• Joint or muscle pain/stiffness
• Changes in urination
• Vomiting
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

As the disease progresses, it can lead to serious complications like acute kidney failure and, in some cases, liver failure. Less commonly, it may also affect normal blood clotting.

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact 📱 your veterinarian right away, even if you’re not sure it’s Leptospirosis. When in doubt, it’s always best to have your pet checked—early care can make all the difference. 💪🐾

05/11/2026

As we finally get a break from the winter cold, many of us are spending more time outdoors—and that includes our pets! 🐾

Before you and your pup head to the lake🛶, enjoy a picnic‍🍰, or hit the trails🌲, we want to share some important information with you this week about Leptospirosis. A disease that is becoming more common across the U.S.
All week long, we’ll be posting helpful tips so you can learn:
- What is Leptospirosis? 🔍
- How it spreads? 🧐
- How to protect both your pets and your family? 💪

Stay tuned and stay safe as you enjoy the outdoors!🐾☀️

Animals can get leptospirosis and spread it to people.

05/10/2026

Thank goodness that winter cold❄ is outta here! It’s that time again when we all spend more time outdoors 🌞, and that includes our pets🐾!

Before you and your pup head to the lake🏊, spread out for a picnic🥪, or go for that hike🌲, be on the lookout ALL THIS WEEK for some important information on LEPTOSPIROSIS, a disease that is becoming more prevalent across the U.S.!

In the coming week, we will show you all about Leptospirosis and how to protect yourself and your pets from this serious illness!💪

05/07/2026

🚨 Alert! 🚨
Today we will be closed from 1 pm to 3 pm due to a staff meeting. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. We will reopen at 3 pm after the cessation of our meeting. 😸

05/05/2026

Reminder! 👋 This Thursday, May 7th, we will be closed for a staff meeting from 1 pm to 3 pm. We will be reopening at 3 pm after the cessation of our meeting. Thank you for your patience and understanding! 😁

04/25/2026

🌎Happy World Veterinary Day!🐾

Today, we honor the dedication, compassion, and expertise that go into caring for our beloved furry friends every single day. From routine check-ups to life-saving treatments, veterinary professionals play a key role in keeping our pets healthy and happy.💪💖

At Cherry Hills Veterinary Hospital, we’re proud to be part of a profession that strengthens the bond between people and their fur babies. Each wagging tail, gentle purr, and grateful nuzzle reminds us why we do what we do. And we wouldn’t have it any other way!😻

To our astounding team and to veterinary professionals everywhere, THANK YOU👏 for your commitment to animal health and welfare. And to our wonderful clients: thank you for trusting us with your furry family members. 💖

04/24/2026

It’s National Hairball Awareness Day!😾

What is a hairball?🔎
An accumulation of ingested hair that the cat vomits up. Cats are self-groomers, so they naturally get hair in their stomachs. Cats have a special rough tongue that helps remove loose hairs, dirt, and debris.

What are ways to prevent hairballs?🧐
• Brushing your cat more often
• Adding fiber to your cat's diet
• Feeding meals and treats that promote gastrointestinal health
• Feeding smaller meals
• Preventing excessive grooming
• Ensuring your cat has plenty of water
• Over-the-counter hairball medicine

If hairballs occur frequently or if you see or hear your cat retching, vomiting, or coughing without the eventual appearance of a one, please give us a call! We are here to help your purfect kitty!🐾💖