A GROWING CONCERN – LEPTOSPIROSIS

By Amber Thakur, CVT

As summer approaches and we find ourselves enjoying the outdoors, there could be a nasty bacteria lurking in places you may have never thought.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects the liver and kidneys of canines and other mammals including humans. It is a disease that is reported worldwide, however it has been on the rise in the United States since 198.  Leptospirosis is a public health concern. It is zoonotic, which means it can be transmitted from animals to people. It is transmitted by contact or ingestion of infected urine through mucus membranes or abrasions of the skin. The organism is shed in high quantities in the urine of dogs, rats, pigs, cattle, raccoons, deer, skunks, possums and small rodents. Also, swimming in contaminated water can infect both canine and human swimmers.

According to the CDC, “The clinical signs are variable and easily confused with other diseases, making a definite diagnosis difficult. If the symptoms are sub-acute, owners may not even be aware that their dog has been infected until it is too late. Typical signs an owner should look for are fever, vomiting, dehydration and increased thirst. If the disease has progressed to a later stage, acute symptoms include fever, shivering and muscle tenderness. However if your dog is diagnosed with leptospirosis, treatment is available. Most commonly it is treated with antibiotics.

There are preventive measures that can be taken to make sure you and your pet are safe. The best way to prevent your dog from getting leptospirosis is by keeping them away from potential sources of infection, such as contaminated water sources, wildlife reservoirs, or other domestic animals that are infected or are chronic carriers.  Always clean up after your pet with household disinfectants .Keep rodent problems under control as they are a major carrier of the bacteria. But the easiest thing for a pet owner to do is vaccinate their pet against leptospirosis. Vaccinations can start as early as during the puppy series.  They are then maintained with annual boosters.