In the News headlines!

Leptospirosis, is a contagious disease affecting both animals and humans and spread by infection with a bacterial pathogen called Leptospira, this may result in chronic liver and kidney disease and be fatal in the dogs. Over the past 30 years, preventative vaccination against two of the most common Leptospires, L. canicola and L. icterohaemorrhagiae, have nearly eradicated clinical disease associated with these strains among the inoculated population. Though not without potential side effects associated with allergic reactions in a small number of dogs, the risks of not vaccinating for Leptospirosis once far outweighed risks of vaccine-reaction. However, new outbreaks of Leptospirosis have been reported in the news. We have contacted the University of Minnesota and they have recommended vaccinating only dogs who are in the water a lot and/or are hunters.   

History of Leptospirosis

Disease Transmission. Leptospira thrive in spring and autumn when wet soil conditions and moderate temperatures maintain their otherwise poor environmental survivability. Infection by contact with infected urine or ingestion of urine-contaminated water is the most common way of transmission of the disease. Less common ways of infection include transmittance of the organisms during breeding, gestation, or through the membranes of the eyes, abrasions or bite wounds, or ingestion of the flesh from infected animals such as rats, raccoons, skunks or opossums. A serovar infects the dog as a maintenance host, using the dog to carry out most, if not all of the organism's life cycle. Under these conditions, the kidneys of the infected dog become the "breeding" grounds for the serovar, some of which will be shed in the urine where they may gain access to other dogs and continue the infectious cycle.

Symptoms of Leptospirosis. During the first 4-12 days following infection with Leptospira, the dog may experience sudden symptoms of fever (103-105^oF), depression, vomiting, loss of appetite, conjunctivitis, and generalized pain. Within 2 days of the onset of these key symptoms, body temperature may drop suddenly and there may be a noticeable increase in thirst. A definite change in the color of the dog's urine and/or jaundice is often noticed and may be the only indication of disease. Color intensity of the urine may vary from lemon to deep orange. Additionally, frequent urination and subsequent dehydration are consistent with invasion of the kidney tubule cells by the Leptospira organism and usually present within a few days of the key symptoms. In advanced cases of infection, profound depression, difficulty breathing, muscular tremors, bloody vomit and feces are often observed as the infection progresses to include the liver, gastrointestinal system and other organs. Course and severity of the disease is often dependent upon the serovar responsible for the infection. Serovars associated with liver infection and symptoms of urine discoloration and/or jaundice (icterus), elevation of liver enzymes, and gastrointestinal symptoms include L. icterohaemorrhagiae and grippotyphosa. The serovar grippotyphosa is also associated with symptoms of renal failure as is the serovar pomona.

Diagnosis.

A exam is needed to evaluate your pets condition and lab test may include a Chemistry Profile, Urinalysis, and Complete Blood Count.  Others test may be recommended.

Treatment.

Treatment of renal failure and liver disease would include fluid therapy and electrolyte replacement.   A course of antibiotics would be given to treat the disease it self.

Prevention.

If your pet is a hunting dog or is around water and/or areas with standing water we do recommend having you pet vaccinated for leptospirosis.  Please call us to set up an appointment.

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