A potentially dangerous bacterial disease that can be fatal in farm dog and other animals is on the rise , warns Dr. Melanie Butera , DVM , of Elm Ridge Animal Hospital in Canal Fulton , Ohio . She says she has get word an addition in the identification number of hot dog at her practice session that have compress leptospirosis .
Leptospirosis , a contagious bacterial infection , is contracted when brute or humans come in contact with the urine of wildlife .
“ In 25 geezerhood of being a veterinary surgeon , I had never seen a true slip of it until three long time ago , ” Dr. Butera says . “ Then this year , I have seen 13 cases in my practice . ”
If left untreated , the disease can be deadly . At least half of the dogs treat at Elm Ridge Animal Hospital have died because of the disease .
Dr. Butera says she has spoken with a veterinarian from a neighboring county who also cite a spike in leptospirosis cases . Leptospirosis outbreak have been documented throughout the Midwest , include in Detroit , Mich. , and Kansas City , Mo.
Leptospirosis has tend to be most prevalent in out-of-door and sporting pawl , but Dr. Butera says many of her recent case have been inside dog-iron . While any animal or soul can contract the disease , she say cats appear to be resistant to it .
creature that occur in contact with urine of wildlife , such as scum bag , groundhogs and squirrels , can become infected . Dogs that spend a destiny of clock time in the pace , in ponds and creek , and even mud puddle are susceptible .
“ The bacteria need [ the environs ] to be smashed , ” Dr. Butera says . Even dew on the pasture can harbor the bacteria . Symptoms of leptospirosis can alter and are voiceless to name , she tell . They include vomiting , feverishness , fatigue , increase in thirst , loss of appetite and a hunched back .
“ It ’s treatable , ” she pronounce . “ The earlier we start treating them the dependable . ”
Depending on the air of swamp fever , Dr. Butera says the disease can do liver bankruptcy , stemma clot disorders and kidney problems .
While a vaccinum available to battle the disease only protects against four strains , she say it ’s useful . The vaccinum was once part of the routine vaccinations for dogs , but because of a high bit of reactions to the vaccinum , vets stopped giving the immunization . However , Dr. Butera allege the vaccine can be dependable and is available .
She warns pet owners to take action if their fauna is exhibiting any of the signs associated with swamp fever .
“ It ’s severe to diagnose , and the tests for it are not perfect and expensive , but if it is not treat it can be calamitous , ” she says .
A standard dose of penicillin and a second antibiotic will treat leptospirosis . It can take several months to fight the infection .
“ Some dog do n’t have any clinical signs and go back without anyone even screw they have had it , ” she says . “ Others do n’t respond well ( to treatment ) , and it takes a protracted period of time to handle . ”
