Sheri Henry,
West Coast Veterinary Center
Leptospirosis, Your Pet & You
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Terah M. Browning, DVM,
Coast Veterinary Center
Located at 7910 State Road 72 in Sarasota, West Coast
Veterinary Center is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6
p.m., and Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. For information about
West Coast Veterinary Center, visit www.westcoastveterinary.com.
To schedule an appointment, call 941-925-2262.
eptospirosis is a disease caused by the Leptospria spirochetal
humans can develop the disease if they come in contact with
an infected animal.
each cause various levels of illness. Two of the most commonly seen
bacteria.
tropical and wet environments, especially muddy or stagnant areas of
water that are frequented by wildlife.
A few of the primary hosts of this bacterium include deer, opossum,
raccoons, rodents and many others. These hosts shed the bacteria
typically through their urine and may do so without showing any
disease via direct contact with infected urine or indirect contact with
contaminated water or soil. Cats, on the other hand, rarely are noted
to develop Leptospirosis.
commonly takes place in the fall.
What does Leptospirosis do and how is it diagnosed?
they contracted. These clinical signs may
include:
Fever
Lethargy
Sore muscles
Increased water
Diarrhea with or
without blood
in the stool
Shock
Death
Leptospirosis has so
may symptoms that
of other diseases, a
thorough history of your
pet’s background, including
places the pet has visited, recent
that they have been experiencing,
process. Your veterinarian also
will order tests that include a full
blood count and a urinalysis.
The most common and readily
available test, however, is the
pet’s urine. This test is the most
useful in the early stages to
urine.
Can Leptospirosis be treated?
as penicillin and doxycycline. If treatment is pursued during early onset
of the disease, then the damage to liver or kidneys may not be perma-
of the appropriate aggressive treatment.
What are the risks?
which means it can spread from dogs to people or from people to
avoid urine coming into contact with human mucous membranes or
contagious.
Special care should be taken in disposing of soiled bedding, and
Prevention
There are simple steps you can take to protect your pets from
-
ments. Also, always keep your pet on a leash when walking, and don’t
let your dog swim or drink from standing bodies of water or where
wild animals have urinated.
There also are vaccines available to help reduce the prevalence and
severity of certain Leptospria bacteria in our canine pets. It is always
best to consult with your veterinarian about whether or not this
vaccine is medically important for your canine family member.
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/www.westcoastveterinary.com