Your Dog's Health: Causes, Prevention, and Symptoms of Leptospirosis

Who would have guessed that something as innocent as allowing your dog to drink from a puddle could eventually lead to your dog's death?

In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the development of areas that were previously rural. Domestic pets are being exposed to much more wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, squirrels, opossums and deer. Due to the close proximity we now have with these wild animals, the cases of Leptospirosis in domestic pets has been increasing at alarming rates.

Leptospirosis can infect almost any wild or domestic mammal, including humans. The bacteria, called leptospires, are spread through the urine of infected animals. The bacteria may be found in stagnant water, bird baths, moist soil, ponds or lakes. Your dog can become infected by drinking or swimming in contaminated water, or by having contact with the bacteria through a cut in their skin.

Common symptoms of the disease include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain , diarrhea, weakness, depression, stiffness, severe muscle pain and decreased appetite. Your dog may also have a yellow discoloration of the gums and whites of the eyes because of the disease's effect on the liver.

Diagnosing the disease may require multiple blood and urine tests. If an animal is treated early with antibiotics it may recover more rapidly and experience less organ damage. Some animals require IV fluids to prevent dehydration. Without early treatment this disease can be fatal.

If your pet has been diagnosed as having Leptospirosis, you need to be careful about having contact with their urine, blood or tissues of your pet during its infection. Assisting in the delivery of newborns from an infected animal is considered a high-risk activity for transmission of Leptospirosis.

If you have had any contact with an animal infected with Leptospirosis, inform your physician. If you have symptoms such as fever, muscle aches or headaches within 3 weeks of being exposed you should see your physician immediately.

To prevent Leptospirosis in your pet you should have your pet vaccinated against Leptospirosis. You should also keep rodent problems under control since rodents can carry and spread the bacteria. Make sure you always have a fresh supply of water available so your pet won't be tempted to drink from contaminated sources of water.

All animals can potentially become infected with Leptospires, although cats seem to have a natural immunity against Leptospirosis and therefore do not need to be vaccinated.