Animals can shed the bacteria for months to years following recovery from infection.
Infection can also occur from contaminated water supplies, food, bedding, soil, vegetation, a pregnant mother to her young, and bite wounds, as well as other means of transmission. Humans can contract this infection especially through contaminated urine. Treatment is mainly supportive involving hospitalization, placement of an intravenous catheter, fluid therapy, injectable and oral antibiotics in heavy dosages, and other means of supportive care that your veterinarian deems is necessary.