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The Scoop On Leptospirosis
(by Dr. Matthew Krupnick - June 26, 2009)
What is leptospirosis? Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease. You may remember your veterinarian offering an optional vaccine for it during your pet's annual visit. Leptospirosis occurs in many areas, including New Jersey/New York, and can affect dogs as well as humans. In people, the symptoms are often like the flu and in dogs they may just not feel well, but sometimes leptospirosis can become a more severe, life-threatening illness affecting the kidney, liver, brain, lung, and heart. While cats can be infected, they rarely show signs of disease.
The Leptospirosis bacteria is spread through the urine of infected animals, like squirrels skunks, etc. Humans and animals can become infected through contact with this contaminated urine which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months. The bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken like from a cut. Drinking, swimming, or walking through contaminated water can also cause infection. Therefore environments with ponds, lakes etc are high risk areas.
The clinical signs of leptospirosis in pets vary and can be nonspecific. Common clinical signs include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, not eating, weakness, lethargy, stiffness or muscle pain. Infections usually start with a fever of 103-104°, shivering, and muscle tenderness. This can progress to vomiting and dehydration. Severely infected dogs may develop kidney or liver failure. They may be reluctant to move due to muscle or kidney pain. Animals with liver involvement may develop jaundice (yellowish pigmentation of the skin). These severe infections can be fatal, but many leptospiral infections in dogs can also be chronic/subclinical. Dogs that are chronically infected may show no outward signs, but may still shed the bacteria intermittently in the urine for months or years.
If you think your dog has leptospirosis contact your veterinarian immediately and wear gloves if you need to clean up any urine. Leptospirosis, kidney and liver failure can be diagnosed through blood tests. A blood sample can test for individual serovars (strains) and the level of antibody (titer) against these strains. Depending on the level of the titer, a positive diagnosis to the specific strain can be made. Though, titers could be negative in the first 10 days after an initial infection, so many times additional samples must be drawn and tested to get a positive diagnosis.
Luckily leptospirosis is treatable with antibiotics but an animal must be treated early for the best chance of recovery and the least amount of potential organ damage. Commonly dogs also need fluid replacement, and controlling the vomiting and the problems associated with the corresponding kidney or liver infections. A Penicillin, typically amoxicillin, is the antibiotic of choice for treating the initial infection. After the initial infection is controlled, doxycycline is often used to cure and prevent a potential long-term carrier state.
The other good news is that many strains of leptospirosis are preventable in our pets by getting them vaccinated against leptospirosis. Though the vaccine does not provide total protection. This is because there are many strains (types) of leptospires, and the vaccine does not provide immunity against all strains. It is important to get your pet vaccinated to prevent serious disease and prevent transmission to humans.
As with any vaccine, consult your veterinarian if this vaccine is right for your pet, based on their lifestyle and places they live and visit.
Dr. Matthew Krupnick is the owner of the Pequannock Animal Hospital . He grew up in Kinnelon and is happy to be home, with his wife, three cats and two dogs, to provide quality and compassionate care for your pets in the community. The Pequannock Animal Hospital is located at 591 Newark Pompton Turnpike in Pompton Plains. You may reach them by calling (973) 616-0400.
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