Some of you may have seen recent media reports about the spread of a bacterial disease, called Leptospirosis, in dogs in New Jersey. It was a little alarming, so I wanted to go over it in more depth for you.
News reports said at least five dogs from Paramus had been diagnosed, and that the disease can be fatal if left untreated. It is definitely a serious disease, but there’s no need for panic.
First, you should know there is a vaccine to prevent it. If your dog is up-to-date on his or her annual vaccines, it’s possible your vet already has given it to your pet. In some cases, your vet may recommend that your dog not have the Lepto vaccine, as it may cause a harmful reaction, especially in some pure breeds such as Dachshunds. The efficacy of the vaccine can vary, because like a human flu shot, there are different strains of the disease that may not be covered in the formula of the vaccine being given.
Although it’s not impossible for cats to contract it, they seem to have a natural resistance to the disease and therefore are not vaccinated.
The bacterium that causes the disease is spread through urine into water sources, where it lives and reproduces. Lakes, ponds, standing water and stagnant water are the places that your dog would potentially come in contact with the bacteria. It is found worldwide in tropical and temperate climates, and normally is more of a problem in summer and early fall.
In general, your dog would be served by you discussing the risk factors with your vet and determining if the vaccine is needed. As with all vaccines, you should be aware of what your pet is getting, the schedule that is needed in order for it to be effective, and any risk factors associated with it. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has good information on Leptospirosis if you’d like to learn more.
On a completely different note, I want to update you on Buddy and Rocky, the two dogs that we featured in last week’s column. Buddy has an adoption pending; he should be getting neutered and going home this week. Rocky has come down with a minor upper respiratory infection for which he is being medicated, so he’s back in our treatment area but is still available for adoption as soon as he’s well enough to be neutered.
Finally, we want to thank everyone who attended Paws for Art at Wheaton Arts on April 2. We had a record attendance of about 1,500 people and 50 dogs! It was a gorgeous day.
Keep in mind that our annual “Step for a Pet” walkathon is coming up on April 23. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and our ability to care for thousands of homeless and abused pets depends on the success of events like this. Please keep your fingers crossed for good weather and join us at Parvin State Park for a fun day out with your family and pets.