Blood test are also available, but a single positive test, unless of significantly high titer, does not confirm the disease. Blood tests should be used on a herd basis rather than an individual animal basis. If the disease is detected early, antibiotic treatment with dihydrostreptomycin or oxytetracycline is often successful in reducing the severity of the disease. However, such treatment will not effect the severity of the disease if given in the later stages. Antibiotic treatment will not rid the animal of the infection nor will it prevent infected animals from shedding the Lepto organisms in the urine.
Vaccination is the most effective method of control.
If a vaccine is to be any benefit, it must contain the Leptospira serotype to which the animal will be exposed. There is no cross-resistance stimulated between different Lepto vaccines. Vaccines raise the animal's resistance against becoming infected. Even though, the Lepto vaccines will raise the resistance against infection, that resistance does not last as long as we would like it to. In areas where the Lepto diseases are present, it usually requires at least 2 booster doses each year to prevent clinical disease.