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EURICAN® L4: leptospirosis protection that meets the moment

Leptospirosis is widespread across the UK, posing a growing threat to dogs and humans alike. And it can be fatal.

With pet owners relying on you for the right vaccine recommendations, you need to make sure your patients are protected from this often misunderstood or overlooked disease.

Learn more about EURICAN® L4

What is leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira bacteria, with more than 300 known serovars.¹ Endemic in the UK, it is transmitted via contact with the contaminated urine of infected animals, especially rodents. Dogs can be exposed through contaminated soil and puddles, and face risks ranging from mild illness to acute kidney or liver failure.

According to recent expert guidelines on leptospirosis,¹ all dogs are at risk, regardless of age, lifestyle or location. Additionally, the disease can be difficult to diagnose, so it’s crucial that all dogs in the UK are given the best possible protection.

How does leptospirosis present?

A major challenge with leptospirosis is that clinical signs can often be very vague and hard to diagnose. The disease primarily targets the kidneys and liver, but can also affect other organs like the lungs, eyes and vascular system, with common presentations including ¹

• Acute renal failure: polyuria, polydipsia, dehydration, azotemia
• Acute hepatopathy: jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, vomiting
• Pulmonary involvement: tachypnoea, dyspnoea, coughing and, in severe cases, pulmonary haemorrhage
• Gastrointestinal upset: diarrhoea, anorexia, weight loss
• Systemic signs: lethargy, fever, muscle pain

Mortality can be high in untreated cases and survivors may suffer chronic renal disease requiring long-term monitoring and supportive care.²

It’s a growing concern, and changes in climate may intensify the spread of leptospirosis in the UK, while increased pet travel and international dog adoptions can contribute to us encountering a wider spread of strains.

Effective leptospirosis vaccination isn’t just a necessary intervention – it can be a life-saving one.

Learn more about EURICAN® L4

EURICAN® L4: raising the standard of leptospirosis protection to unparalleled heights³

EURICAN® L4 stands alone as the only leptospirosis vaccine licensed to deliver:³

The EURICAN® L4 vaccine targets four of the most identified serogroups in Europe – L. Canicola, L. Icterohaemorrhagiae, L. Grippotyphosa and L. Australis⁴ – ensuring coverage that matches the current epidemiological landscape.

Why choose EURICAN® L4?

EURICAN® L4 is licensed to defend across all six protection criteria: mortality, clinical signs, infection, renal carriage, renal lesions and bacterial excretion. The comparison table shows you the development of a vaccine designed to protect our canine companions against this potentially deadly disease and its consequences.

For veterinary professionals, the choice of leptospirosis vaccine must balance science, safety and client trust. EURICAN® L4 sets itself apart by offering the most comprehensive licensed protection³ available across all six protection criteria and ensuring two week onset of immunity after primary course completion in first time patients.

In an era of rising zoonotic awareness and evolving epidemiology, switching to EURICAN® L4 means providing your patients with unmatched protection – and offering owners peace of mind that their dogs are truly safeguarded.

The EURICAN® portfolio: protect against a range of dangers

Alongside EURICAN® L4, the EURICAN® portfolio from Boehringer Ingelheim offers a complete suite of vaccines to protect against key canine diseases:

Together, these vaccines provide you with an integrated, preventive toolkit that delivers superior protection against the risk of disease that dogs face.

1. Sykes, J.E., Francey, T., Schuller, S., Stoddard, R. A., Cowgill, L.D. and Moore, G.E. (2023) Updated ACVIM consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 37, 1966–1982.
2. Adin, C. A., & Cowgill, L. D. (2000). Treatment and outcome of dogs with leptospirosis: 36 cases (1990–1998). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 216(3), 371-375. Retrieved Sep 23, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2000.216.371
3. 2023. EURICAN L4 SPC.
4. Wenderlein, J., Zitzl, T., Dufay-Simon, N., Cachet, N., Pantchev, N., Guyader, M. L., Fontana, C., Bomchil, N., Tronel, J.-P., Cupillard, L. and Straubinger, R. K. 2024. Detection and Identification of Pathogenic Leptospira spp. Serogroups in Europe between 2017 and 2020 Applying a Novel Gene-Based Molecular Approach. Transbound. Emerg. Dis. 2024:.
5. 2023. Nobivac L4 SPC.