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Leptospira ingested by cattle from contaminated water enter the body through the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, mouth or reproductive tract, or breaks in the skin. The organisms spread immediately from the entry site to the bloodstream and then potentially to all tissues.
The leptospires replicates within the body of the host then eventually pass from the body in urine, causing more infections—particularly if the urine contaminates water sources frequented by susceptible animals.
Infected urine is the major source of contamination and disease transmission. Infected cows that abort their fetuses can also excrete Leptospira from their genital tract.
Another source of infection is semen. An infected bull can carry the organisms and infect females.
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Infection is in most cases clinically inapparent. Therefore, the symptoms may be in the form of delayed breeding, early embryonic death, infertility, abortions, weak calves and other economically devastating reproductive consequences.
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Diagnosis is difficult because most animals do not show clinical signs of the disease. The best way to determine if a herd is infected with hardjo-bovis is to test the herd. Laboratory tests show the presence of Leptospira antibodies in individual cow serum and Leptospira organisms in urine. (or tissues from aborted fetuses)
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Consult your veterinarian regarding treatment options for Leptospirosis.
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The following practices help lessen transmission of hardjo-bovis bacteria:
- Clean and disinfect pens once occupied by infected animals.
- Use pits rather than common manure alleys to prevent cross-contamination between pens by way of splashing urine.
- Drain or fence low-lying or swampy areas.
- Prevent animal access to stagnant water or runoff from animal pens.
Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar hardjo type hardjo-bovis can be prevented. Prevention requires vaccination before infection. For comprehensive protection against Leptospira use Spirovac®, Spirovac® L5 or Spirovac® VL5* alone or incorporated into a complete viral respiratory and reproductive vaccination protocol with Bovi-Shield GOLD FP® 5 L5 HB.
Initial vaccination with Spirovac®, Spirovac® L5, or Spirovac® VL5* is two doses given four to six weeks apart. Annual revaccination with a single dose is recommended.
*Vaccines containing VL5 fractions are not recommended for use in dairy cattle
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Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar hardjo type hardjo-bovis is one of the most important and costly contributors to reproductive loss in the beef and dairy industries.
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Spirovac®
Spirovac® L5
Spirovac® VL5
Bovi-Shield GOLD FP® 5 L5 HB
*LABEL INDICATIONS: Do not use in pregnant cattle (abortions can result) unless they were vaccinated, according to label directions, with any BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP or PREGGUARD GOLD FP vaccine prebreeding initially and within 12 months thereafter. Do not use in calves nursing pregnant cows unless their dams were vaccinated within the past 12 months as described above. To help ensure safety in pregnant cattle, heifers must receive at least 2 doses of any BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP or PREGGUARD GOLD FP vaccine with the second dose administered approximately 30 days prebreeding.
United States 
