It’s springtime, and there is an abundance of pooling water easing its way from frozen states to create puddles of doom.  Nasty bacterium jumps into the little ponds the way toddlers fling themselves into kiddy pools.  Is that a big deal?  Yes.  Does standing water threaten the lives of pets?  Yes.  Can disease be prevented?  Yes.

Dr. Bailey Ryback recently treated a dog at Greendale Village Vet for a disease known as leptospirosis.  The disease is not particularly common, but when a pet contracts it, the results can be critical or even deadly.  Because the weather has warmed up and winter’s leftovers are everywhere, taking precautions is important.

“Leptospirosis is a disease process caused by the bacteria leptospira,” said Ryback.  “Within this bacterial species there are subgroups that cause disease.  When a mammal becomes infected, bacterium can attack any part of the body but will eventually take aim at the kidneys and liver. 

“Infected patients will have pain and usually experience lethargy, vomit, have diarrhea and become jaundiced,” she said.  “We can also see damage to blood vessels, which causes abnormal bleeding and bruising.”

Leptospira thrives in warm, stagnant water, but even after the puddle dries up, it can keep living in the soil for months.  Ryback explained that the infections are most commonly spread through exposure to infected urine, and the most common carriers are wild animals such as racoons, rodents, opossums and skunks.  “The disease can also be passed along when animals consume infected animals or through exposure to infected urine in boarding facilities,” she said.

What makes the bacteria particularly insidious is a dog’s immune system could keep the disease at bay but develop chronic leptospirosis.  “That involves more kidney and liver inflammation, and we can see inflammation in the eyes called uveitis.  Chronic leptospirosis is also not always cured by treating the infection,” Ryback noted.

Veterinarians diagnose leptospirosis after considering clinical symptoms and baseline bloodwork.  “When we suspect lepto, we send out a urine sample for a specialized lab test that detects leptospira through DNA,” Ryback said.  “Once we have confirmation, we begin antibiotics, and depending on the severity of the disease, we might also need to incorporate supportive therapy like intravenous fluids.

“Dogs who get treatment in the early stages of the disease are likely to have a positive response to treatment, but long-term outcomes vary depending upon the severity of the kidney or other damage the bacteria caused.  After recovery, the dogs need to have their kidney values monitored for the rest of their lives.”

As frightening as this disease is, people can take precautions to avoid their pets becoming infected.  The most important thing pet parents can do is have their pets vaccinated.  “And it’s important to note that even pets who have recovered from previous infections can be infected again.  That’s why vaccinations should always remain current.”  There was a time when the leptospirosis vaccine had an increased rate of reactions, but vaccine technology has evolved to the point it no longer poses any higher risk of reaction than any other vaccine, Ryback explained.

Another preventive action pet parents can take is to remove rodents from the areas where their dogs live.  Ryback cautioned prevention also protects humans to an extent, because they can also become infected with leptospira through urine.

“The most important takeaway about leptospirosis is how important it is to have dogs vaccinated,” said Ryback.  “And just like it is with many conditions and diseases, when a pet shows signs of discomfort, odd behavior or troubling physical symptoms, have them checked promptly.  A lot of illnesses and diseases can be well treated when they are caught early.”

For more information or to make an appointment, call 414-421-1800 or visit https://greendalevillagevet.com/