I just got back from the vet’s
office. It was time for some of my regular shots. I was surprised when the vet
asked me where I might be traveling. When I said I like to hang out on the
beach and also drink out of puddles, he suggested including a vaccination
against leptospirosis.
So I started reading up on Leptospirosis. It’s kind of scary. It’s
an infection
of bacterial spirochetes, which dogs acquire when subspecies of the Leptospira
interrogans penetrate the skin and spread through the body by way of the
bloodstream. (1) Yuck!
And how I can get it is yucky too! The bacteria are spread in
the urine, often making their way into water sources and remaining infective in
the soil for up to six months. Rats, pigs, raccoons, cattle, skunks, and
opossums appear to be the primary reservoirs. (2) They didn’t mention
squirrels.
My
vet said even sea mammals can spread Leptospirosis. So that’s why he inquired
about my beach habits. And I have some pretty disgusting beach habits!
You can do something to help avoid the bacteria. Exposure to
leptospirosis can be reduced by preventing your dog from drinking from puddles
of standing water or from swimming in lakes, streams, or other bodies of water
that may be contaminated.
If you have questions about the vaccine or the disease, please talk to your veterinarian.
References
(1) http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_leptospirosis(2) http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/canine-leptospirosis
And here’s an article about the vaccine: http://www.vetstreet.com/care/leptospirosis-vaccine-for-dogs
It's good to know what dangers lurk out there...and to properly protect your pets. Great info!
ReplyDelete--Wags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats