Leptospirosis In Dogs

Leptospirosis is a disease that can be transmitted to humans and a small amount of other animals. If untreated, the disease can be fatal. In this article, I am going to discuss the effects and symptoms of Leptospirosis and how All Pets Veterinary Medical Center can diagnose and treat the affliction.

Leptospirosis In Dogs

Leptospirosis is an infection regarding bacterial spirochetes, which puppies acquire when subspecies regarding the Leptospira interrogans permeate the skin and propagate through the body by way of the bloodstream. Two of regarding the most commonly observed members of this subspecies are the L. grippotyphosa and L. Pomona germs. Spirochetes are spiral, or perhaps corkscrew-shaped bacteria which imbed the system by burrowing directly into the skin.

Leptospires propagate throughout the entire body, recreating in the liver, kidneys, central nervous system, eye, and reproductive system. Quickly after initial infection, fever and bacterial infection in the blood develop, but these symptoms soon resolve along with the reactive increase of antibodies, which clear the particular spirochetes from most associated with the system. The extent to which this bacterias affects the organs will depend on your dog’s immune system and its ability to eradicate the illness fully. Even then, Leptospira spirochetes can remain inside the kidneys, reproducing presently there and infecting the urine. Infection of the liver or kidneys can become fatal for animals in case the infection progresses, leading to severe problems for these bodily organs. Younger animals with fewer developed immune systems are usually at the highest risk for severe complications.

Symptoms Of Leptospirosis

Symptoms of Leptospirosis can include the following.

• Sudden Fever and Illness
• Your pet has a reluctance to move, may have sore muscles.
• Excessive Shivering, or shivering in general.
• Regular Weakness
• Depression
• Lack of Appetite
• Increased thirst and urination
• Rapid Dehydration
• Vomiting, possibly blood in vomit
• Diarrhea

Causes

The Leptospira spirochete infection mainly occurs in subtropical, warm, and wet environments. Leptospira spirochetes are more common in marshy/muddy areas which often have stagnant surface drinking water and are frequented simply by wildlife. Heavily irrigated pastures are also common sources of infection. The infection rate for domestic pets have been increasing in typically the U. S. And Canada, with infections occurring primarily inside the fall time of year. Dogs will typically come into contact with the leptospira bacteria in afflicted water, soil, or mud, while swimming, passing by means of, or drinking contaminated normal water, or from coming in to contact with urine from your infected animal. This previous method of contact may possibly take place in the wilderness. Hunting and sporting canines, dogs that reside near wooded areas, and dogs that will live on or around farms are at a greater risk of acquiring this specific bacteria. This is one of the many diseases that can be prevented with proper vaccinations.

Diagnosis

Due to the fact leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, your veterinarian will certainly be especially cautious any time handling your dog, and will certainly strongly advise you to perform the same. Protective latex gloves must be put on at all times, and body fluids will be treated as a biologically hazardous material. You need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health, including a background historical past of symptoms, recent activities, and possible incidents which may have caused this condition. A brief history you provide might give your veterinarian signs as to what stage of infection your canine is experiencing, and which organs are being affected. Your veterinarian may order a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, a urinalysis, an electrolyte panel, and a fluorescent antibody urine test. A microscopic agglutination test, or titer check, can also be performed to determine the immune system’s response to the infection, simply by measuring the presence regarding antibodies within the bloodstream.

For those worried about their pets coming into contact with the disease within our Kennels and Boarding, there is no need. At All Pets Veterinary Medical Center we grant boarding to only pets vaccinated with certain vaccinations. You can learn more here.