New York dogs encounter plenty of questionable sidewalk substances. Most are merely disgusting. Some can carry bacteria capable of causing a serious illness in both dogs and people.

Leptospirosis is spread through the urine of infected animals, including rodents. The bacteria can contaminate water and soil, where it may survive for weeks or months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So, yes, the city's rats are once again finding a way onto your bill.

Based on 10 comparable charges in Vetted's database, a leptospirosis vaccine cost a median of $57.50 per dose.

These prices represent the vaccine charge alone. They do not necessarily include an exam, technician appointment, medical-waste fee or other services performed during the visit.

Vetted's current sample is also geographically limited. All 10 observations came from reviewed Brooklyn invoices representing three veterinary practices. That makes the findings useful as a real-world starting point, but not a definitive price for every clinic or borough.

The leptospirosis vaccine charges in Vetted's data were:

Six of the 10 charges were $57.50 or less. The four most expensive ranged from $63.72 to $76.

That produces a relatively tight spread compared with some other veterinary services. The highest observed charge was $29.50 more than the lowest, or about 63% higher.

But the vaccine price is not necessarily the number that determines what you pay at checkout.

Want to see how a specific practice compares to the citywide median? Vetted also tracks pricing by clinic, including our fee breakdowns for Bond Vet and Pure Paws.

One submitted invoice included a $70.75 annual leptospirosis vaccine and a separate $39 technician exam, bringing those two charges to $109.75.

At a clinic requiring a full veterinary exam, the difference could be even larger. Vetted's separate routine-exam benchmark currently has a median of $112 among 15 comparable dog-exam charges.

That does not mean every owner will pay $112 on top of the vaccine. Some clinics administer boosters through lower-cost technician appointments, include the vaccine in a wellness package or give it during an exam the dog already needs. Others require an examination before vaccinating a new patient.

Before booking, ask:

The most useful comparison is not only, "How much is the vaccine?" It is, "What will I pay in total before we leave?"

The American Animal Hospital Association recommends leptospirosis vaccination as a core vaccine for dogs. Its current guidance calls for an initial series of two doses given two to four weeks apart, beginning at 12 weeks of age, followed by annual boosters. AAHA's recommendations apply the two-dose initial series to older dogs as well when they have not previously been vaccinated.

At the prices observed by Vetted, the vaccine charges alone for that initial series would total approximately:

That calculation does not include any required appointment fees. If a clinic charges separately for both visits, the real cost of starting the vaccine series could be substantially higher.

Dogs who have completed the initial series generally receive a single booster annually, although the appropriate schedule for an individual dog should come from their veterinarian.

Leptospirosis is not only a concern for dogs hiking through rural swamps.

The bacteria can be carried by rodents and other animals and spread through contaminated urine, water or soil. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that the bacteria are found worldwide. Dogs may be exposed through puddles, wet ground or areas visited by infected wildlife.

AAHA updated its vaccination guidance in 2024 to recommend leptospirosis vaccination as core for dogs, including dogs living in urban environments. The organization recommends annual vaccination for dogs starting at 12 weeks old, regardless of breed. It also notes that the disease can be life-threatening and can spread between animals and humans.

Vaccination does not remove the need for individualized veterinary advice. A veterinarian can consider your dog's age, health history, previous doses and possible exposure before recommending a schedule.

There are a few ways to limit the total without skipping recommended preventive care:

Vetted reviewed 10 comparison-eligible leptospirosis vaccine charges from anonymized veterinary invoices dated April through July 2026. The observed prices came from three Brooklyn veterinary practices. The median is the middle value in the dataset. The low and high figures represent the least and most expensive eligible vaccine charges observed. Repeated prices may represent separate invoices, visits or doses from the same veterinary practice. The sample is concentrated in Brooklyn and should not be treated as a complete NYC clinic price list or a guaranteed quote. Prices can change, and the total bill may include an exam, technician appointment, supplies or other services. Vetted will update this guide as more invoices and estimates are submitted from Brooklyn and the other four boroughs.

If your dog recently received a leptospirosis vaccine in New York City, your receipt can help make this comparison more representative.

Upload an itemized bill or estimate through Vetted's free vet-bill comparison tool. I'll remove personal information, enter the relevant prices and compare eligible charges with similar services in Vetted's database.

A photo or PDF is fine. You do not need to type out every charge.

Your receipt can help the next New York dog owner budget for theirs.

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