In-Home Treatment Option Saves Scarlet’s Life After Leptospirosis Diagnosis

When Isabel V. noticed her beloved pit bull, Scarlet, had stopped eating and lost her appetite, she knew something was wrong.

“Her body language was off,” said Isabel. “All the normal things she usually does, she was no longer doing. She was licking her mouth and throwing up. She had also developed a yellow tinge to her skin, eyes and gums.”

Isabel, who lives down the block from the ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinic by The Rachael Ray Foundation™ in Queens, had previously visited the clinic to have Scarlet vaccinated, spayed and treated for an ear infection. Isabel also had her cats — Max, Storm and Smokey — vaccinated and neutered at the clinic.

Scarlet’s medical team included, from left to right, Dr. Evelyn Cintron and Michelle Plata and Favi Olmedo, licensed veterinary technicians, with Matthew and Scarlet.

Upon seeing Scarlet, the Queens ASPCA team immediately jumped into action.

“They let me know it was serious,” Isabel said.

Confronting A Life-Threatening Infection

Dr. Evelyn Cintron, an ASPCA veterinarian, astutely suspected Scarlet had a leptospirosis infection, a life-threatening disease.

“Leptospirosis is a bacterium transmitted through water that’s been contaminated by infected animals like rats, which are the most common source,” Dr. Cintron said. “Contact with wildlife or rat urine is a big risk factor. Your dog’s best protection is keeping them away from wildlife and not letting them drink from puddles where these animals may have urinated.”

As in Scarlet’s case, dogs infected with leptospirosis develop a fever.

“Their energy level is low, and the gums and whites of their eyes turn yellow,” Dr. Cintron said. “The worst part is that bacteria attack the kidneys and liver and can lead to failure in those organs.”

The ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinics don’t have a test to confirm leptospirosis, but treat the disease based on presumptive diagnoses and clinical signs like Scarlet’s.

The Leptospirosis vaccine is not currently offered at the ASPCA’s Community Medicine clinics due to the low incidence of the disease in our communities. However, the Community Medicine program focuses on preventive care through vaccination on commonly seen illnesses, such as parvovirus infection (through the DA2PPV vaccine) and rabies, for which vaccines are mandated by law.

Left: With Matthew looking on, Favi Olmedo, right, prepares fluids for Scarlet; right: Scarlet naps during her home recovery.

Scarlet’s medical team began a treatment protocol that included restoring fluids and providing anti-nausea medication.

“We were trying to get ahead of her dehydration and restore her appetite,” Dr. Cintron said.

An In-Home Solution

Unlike many veterinary practices that might have kept Scarlet overnight, the ASPCA team created an outpatient treatment plan so she could be treated at home, thus avoiding higher costs. They taught Isabel and her brother, Matthew — who would be watching Scarlet during the day while Isabel was at work — how to administer subcutaneous fluids, a method of delivering fluids into the layer of tissue just under the skin. Matthew learned how to gently insert a needle into the loose skin between Scarlet’s shoulder blades and allow fluids to be slowly absorbed.

For seven days between July 22 and August 6, Matthew diligently brought Scarlet to the clinic for daily supportive care.

Matthew and Scarlet on one of their trips to the clinic for supportive care.

“Each day showed a gradual improvement,” said Dr. Cintron. “First, Scarlet’s appetite returned, and she kept her food down. Then her energy shifted as her gum color slowly transitioned from yellow to a much healthier pink. Her liver and kidney values also improved.”

After about a week, Scarlet was back to her normal self.

Scarlet snoozing alongside her feline housemate, Mad Max.

Making Vet Care Accessible and Affordable

To help pet caregivers like Isabel and Matthew, the ASPCA works to make veterinary care more accessible and affordable.

“There are many ways to treat an illness, not just one,” said Dr. Cintron. “Affordable veterinary care is not lower-quality care; less expensive options can be just as effective as the most advanced and costly interventions. Offering Scarlet’s family an option for care at home helped tailor her treatment toward the unique circumstances of her family’s abilities and resources.”

According to the New York City Department of Health’s data on canine leptospirosis, 33 dogs were reported with the disease in 2024.

The ASPCA Animal Hospital is conducting a retrospective study that evaluates medical records from our hospital and community veterinary clinics. It includes dogs that were treated at either the hospital or one of the clinics from 2017-2025; had clinical signs, laboratory work and/or serological testing consistent with Leptospirosis; and received a daytime hospitalization and/or an outpatient treatment protocol. The study will report on the effectiveness of an outpatient/daytime treatment protocol for Leptospirosis as an option, like Scarlet’s, and will identify the survival rate and factors that influence morbidity and mortality.

Scarlet at home with her feline buddies, Smokey, left, and Mad Max.

The ASPCA hopes to influence other veterinary professionals to offer less intensive care that achieves the same outcome at a lower cost.

“The most important thing was that Isabel and Matthew brought Scarlet in immediately,” added Dr. Cintron. “She didn’t wait for days. Because of that, our protocol worked and we could tailor Scarlet’s treatment to her family’s resources without compromising her outcome.”

Luisa Correa, left, an ASPCA patient liaison, helped navigate Scarlet’s appointments and schedule.

“I was extremely impressed with the ASPCA clinic’s helpful and compassionate approach,” said Isabel. “They made sure we were informed and educated about what we were doing, and it helped save Scarlet’s life.”