THERE has been a recent increase in the number of leptospirosis cases found in dogs in Sydney, with the majority of cases residing in the Inner City and Inner West areas.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread from animals to humans, caused by infection with the bacteria, Leptospira. The most common sources of infection come from contact with infected animal urine and/or contaminated soil or water.
Isolated cases of leptospirosis have also been identified in the Lower and Upper North Shore, Mid North Coast, Greater Western Sydney, Figtree near Wollongong and the Northern Beaches regions. Therefore, veterinarians need to assess the risk of infection in dogs outside of the Inner City and the Inner West.
Leptospirosis has a very high fatality rate which needs to be taken into consideration and may be suspected in any dog with:
- Lethargy, Vomiting & Diarrhea
- Icterus
- Azotemia
- Hyperbilirubinemia
- Glucosuria
To help prevent dogs from getting the bacterial disease, Dr Zoe Mendham, Vet Surgeon at the Hornsby Veterinary Hospital suggests that owners make sure that their pets avoid hunting for rats.
“Try to make sure to avoid them going and hunting for rats where possible. It’s also spread through stagnant water as well, so any puddles and things that rats can go and drink and urinate in, and dogs can drink from there and they can get it from that. So, try and prevent them from drinking any stagnant water and puddles while out for a walk,“ Dr Zoe Mendham, said.
As well as prevention from leptospirosis, coming into summer, Dr Mendham says that the most important thing that pets owners need to do, is to make sure that their pets are covered for paralysis ticks.
“Make sure that they are covered for paralysis ticks, especially around this area, and that you’re really strict on checking when your tick products expire.
So, making sure you’re giving it every month or every 3 months depending on the product that you’re using,” says, Dr Zoe Mendham.