Feb 26 2009
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is the disease contracted by contact with wild animal urine.
Lepto occurs all over the country and can be contagious to humans as well, though rare as it requires ingestion of urine (but can be a problem in cases of not washing hands well after cleaning up after one’s own dog or working in the woods/garden).
Lepto is on the rise in its diagnosis, and research at this time isn’t sure whether its increase is due to lack of testing in the past or a true increase. The bacteria is spread through the urine, as stated, which can get into water sources (puddles, streams) and soil. It can also enter open wounds or eyes/mucus membranes in rarer cases. any wild animals can excrete the bacteria and still live for months to years with no symptoms of their own.
It is best to avoid areas of stagnant water and wooded areas with dogs to avoid lepto, and clean feet well upon entering the household after being outdoors in more country-like settings.
Symptoms of lepto are non-specific, meaning just about anything can be seen: lethargy, vomiting, joint pains, inappetance, diarrhea, etc. Often either liver or kidney levels are elevated in the bloodwork and white cells high, indicating infection. Running a test for leptospirosis as a cause is becoming more common.
Obviously, because this bacteria can drastically and quickly affect organs like the liver, kidneys or even brain, catching it early and starting aggressive antibiotic treatment as well as intense IV fluid therapy as the best bets at beating it. However, many dogs aren’t especially lucky in beating it, and it’s often the organ failure, not the bacteria, that gets the better of them and takes them from us rather quickly.
The time from exposure to lepto to symptoms can be as little as a few days to as long as a month or possibly longer.
Rodents can also carry lepto. There is a vaccine available for those dogs higher at risk to getting it.
Christine, LVT
