An Ounce of Prevention
By now, most of us are aware of fleas, ticks, and heartworm. If you’re not, please read here. There are preventive vaccines and medications available for all three of those pesky, risky parasites, but there are also other bacteria prevalent in the late summer and fall that can prove as dangerous to your pets as the FTH trifecta.
Always Be Prepared
If you were a Boy Scout (or if you know any), you’ll recognize their motto. Preparedness for the unexpected is more than managing an event after the fact. Preparedness can also be found in preventing the unexpected. For your pet, part of good pet care and preparedness includes vaccines against the unexpected, including vaccinating against leptospirosis.
What is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis isn’t as commonly known as other animal-related illnesses, but it can be serious and even fatal to your pet. It is more commonly seen in dogs than cats, although cats rarely contract it, and it’s sometimes seen in cows, too. Leptospirosis is caused by a spiral-shaped bacteria, or spirochete, found in water and soil, especially after heavy rain. It’s also a zoonotic disease, which means that it can be transferred from animals to humans.
A pet might contract leptospirosis from drinking infected water from a stream, river, mud puddle, or an area of standing water in your backyard. It’s transmitted through mucous membranes or a cut on your pet’s skin and is conveyed via contaminated urine from rodents, the bite of an infected animal, or even through one animal consuming the infected carcass of another. There are various ways your pet might be infected with leptospirosis, and it can happen without you having any idea it’s happening.
Symptoms of Leptospirosis
Your dog may have leptospirosis and you won’t know it because cases range from mild to very severe, even causing death. Symptoms include:
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Jaundice (yellowing of eyes, skin, mucous membranes)
- Increased thirst
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Inflammation in or around the eyes
- Diarrhea
- Change in urine output
Advanced leptospirosis can cause
- Liver failure
- Kidney failure
- Lung disease
- Bleeding disorders
- Swelling in the legs, chest, or abdomen from excess fluid
If left untreated, and sometimes even with treatment, leptospirosis can be fatal.
Treatment for Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis can be treated with antibiotics and other support ranging from additional medical treatments to TLC. To diagnose it, your vet will need to run urine tests, and blood tests and may even order x-rays, or ultrasound. Because it can be transmitted from your pet to you, it’s important to use extreme hygiene measures for your pet’s bodily fluids. You should:
- Clean up any indoor accidents with disinfectant, using gloves, and disposing of cleaning materials immediately
- Make sure that your pet relieves him or herself far away from a water source and where his/her urine isn’t easily accessible to other animals or people
- Wash your hands after interacting with your pet
- Don’t let him/her lick you in the face
South Hyland Pet Hospital
The good news is you can vaccinate against leptospirosis! South Hyland Pet Hospital, in Bloomington, MN, recommends annual vaccines against leptospirosis as part of your pet’s wellness care. Although vaccination doesn’t prevent every case, it ensures a milder case, which is more treatable. We can be reached at 952-884-1868 or by email at southhyland@southhyland.com to keep your pet safe and healthy.
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