{"id":40571,"date":"2024-09-23T15:08:14","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T13:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/f11cadb6-d061-4e61-b9a8-7d129feff462"},"modified":"2024-09-23T16:27:43","modified_gmt":"2024-09-23T14:27:43","slug":"alarming-surge-in-dog-leptospirosis-cases-warns-vet-heres-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-potentially-fatal-disease","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/alarming-surge-in-dog-leptospirosis-cases-warns-vet-heres-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-potentially-fatal-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Alarming surge in dog leptospirosis cases warns vet. Here’s all you need to know about the potentially fatal disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

All you need to know about leptospirosis from causes and symptoms to treatment and vaccination <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Monday, 23 September 2024 at 13:08 PM<\/p>

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There has seen a significant increase in the number of critical patients admitted with leptospirosis since the pandemic, say the vets at Davies Veterinary Specialists<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>

Prior to the pandemic, the team at Davies would manage two or three cases a year, whereas now they are seeing a case more or less every month. Here they explain all you need to know about this potentially fatal disease.<\/p>

What is leptospirosis?<\/strong><\/h2>

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by a bacteria called Leptospira. There are many different types (or serovars) of Leptospira. The dominant serovars vary from one region to another and one country to another.<\/p>

How do dogs get leptospirosis?<\/strong><\/h2>

Dogs usually become infected when they come into contact with water or soil that has been contaminated with urine from wild or domestic animals infected with leptospirosis. <\/p>

Many wild mammals can carry leptospirosis and act as a source of infection for dogs, however, rodents, especially rats, are usually considered the most important carriers. The bacteria can survive in the environment for several months and even replicate in the environment under optimal conditions (i.e. waterlogged soil<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>

Routes of infection include ingestion (i.e. drinking from contaminated water sources) or the bacteria can cross the gums, any cuts of abrasions and enter the body via the conjunctiva in the eye. Dogs can get leptospirosis at any time of year, but in UK there may be an increase in infections in autumn\/winter and following periods of heavy rainfall or flooding.\u00a0<\/p>

What are the symptoms of leptospirosis?<\/strong><\/h2>

Leptospirosis in dogs causes sudden kidney\u00a0failure and or sudden liver disease (rarely liver failure).\u00a0<\/p>

The signs that a dog with an infection would show are variable, but usually consist of being off-food, vomiting\/ diarrhoea, increased thirst or urination, progressive lethargy and dullness.\u00a0<\/p>

Leptospirosis can also cause bleeding into the lungs in some dogs,\u00a0meaning they\u00a0can present with coughing or breathing difficulties. On closer examination, jaundice (yellow) gums might be noticed or very dark (yellow\/brown) urine. Normally these clinical signs are acute in onset.\u00a0<\/p>

Can leptospirosis be treated?<\/strong><\/h2>

Treatment of leptospirosis involves specific therapy in the form of antibiotics to kill the leptospira bacteria, alongside supportive treatments such as intravenous fluid therapy, anti-sickness medications, pain killers and liver protective medications. <\/p>

Dogs with bleeding into their lungs can sometimes require oxygen therapy. If the kidneys stop working altogether, then renal replacement therapies (such as dialysis) can be considered in the hope that the kidney function might recover with support and time.\u00a0<\/p>

Can you vaccinate dogs against leptospirosis?<\/strong><\/h2>

Yes, we are lucky enough to have effective vaccines available to protect against leptospirosis. There are multiple different types (serovars) of leptospirosis in UK and there are different vaccines available that cover two or more of the most important serovars.\u00a0<\/p>