Leptospirosis Disease In Dogs

Leptospirosis (Lepto) is a serious disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira interrogans which can attack a wide range of animals including dogs. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

How dogs can contract Lepto?
Leptospirosis is usually spread through the urine of infected animals. Most dogs who love to be outside at risk of this disease. Dogs are usually infected when they come into contact with wet grass, soil, puddles, streams or ponds that have been contaminated with the urine of infected animals. Bacteria can enter through wounds in the skin or mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose or mouth.

Wild and domesticated animals are commonly infected with this disease are: raccoon, raccoons, rats, squirrels, foxes, coyotes, deer, horses, cattle, pigs, dogs.

 

What are the symptoms of the disease Lepto?
Most dogs do not show symptoms of the disease. While there is also a shortage of energy and showed signs of depression. And, while others may be able to show any or all of the following symptoms:
- Lack of appetite
- vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- fever
- Jaundice (a yellowish color in the mouth or gums)
- Changes in the pattern or frequency of urination

If left untreated, some dogs can become very serious condition and could even die. Even if the dog has recovered, no long-term consequences including damage to the kidneys or liver function.

How To Treat Lepto?
The vet will usually prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to kill bacteria leptospira and is often given in two stages: one type of antibiotics to treat the infection early, followed by different types of antibiotics to combat the bacteria in the urine. The sooner treated, the better.

 

If it is to have renal failure and / or liver failure, the chance of recovery will be more difficult. In these cases, aggressive treatment is essential, including intravenous fluids, medications to reduce vomiting and treat other effects of kidney and liver failure and dialysis. However, depending on the severity of the disease, treatment is not always successful when the kidney / liver has emerged.

prevention Lepto
Available vaccine against leptospirosis. The vaccine is produced only for a few specific varieties of leptospira bacteria and does not provide long-term immunity, because it needs to be repeated often vaccinated.

Although the vaccine is not 100% effective and not against all types of leptospira bacteria, the vaccine is still recommended to help prevent this potentially serious disease that can be transmitted to humans. Recommended vaccines and the schedule should be consulted with a veterinarian based on your dog's risk factors.

Other Prevention also with keeping the house free of mice and prevents the dog not to swim in ponds or standing water in areas that are prone leptospirosis.

 

Home care for dogs affected with leptospirosis
Leptospirosis can cause flu-like symptoms in humans, which in some cases can develop into a serious illness. If your dog has been diagnosed with leptospirosis, your risk can be prevented, especially with the police. In fact, some dogs do not show symptoms when exposed to the disease, may have a higher risk of transmitting to their owners who do not know.

 

However, if your dog has been diagnosed with leptospirosis, measures to prevent spread to you, your family and other pets, namely:
 - Avoid contact or direct contact with the urine or blood of your dog
   

- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling your dog or after handling objects that may be contaminated with urine, blood, or feces of your dog.
   

 - Clean with a disinfectant in areas where your dog to urinate.

- Keep other pets and children from the urine or blood of your dog.

- If your doctor has declared the dog recovered and has been allowed to return home, be sure to follow the doctor's instructions to protect you and your family. Most importantly, if your dog has been prescribed antibiotics, be sure to spend all drugs (do not stop when the symptoms disappear).