| CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS |
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 Leptospirosis is a disease caused by a type of bacteria called a
spirochete. Several species of spirochete may cause the disease in
dogs and are transmitted by wild and domestic animals through urine,
infecting water sources and soil. The bacteria can survive in the
environment for up to 6 months, infecting dogs and other wild
mammals.The bacteria infects
animals through ingestion or through a break in the skin. Dogs are
commonly infected when they swim in standing water such as ponds or
reservoirs. Once infected, dogs may shed the bacteria and pose a
health risk to humans and other animals. Although most infections
are mild, in more severe cases, the bacteria may damage the kidneys
and liver. Even after symptoms disappear, dogs may shed the bacteria
in their urine for up to a year.
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| Clinical
Signs |
| Symptoms of leptospirosis appear four to twelve days after
infection. Signs include fever (which may subside after a few days),
loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, depression, muscle pain,
diarrhea, and blood in the urine. In more severe cases, dogs may
become jaundiced (appearing yellow around the ears and eyes), and
may bleed spontaneously due to clotting problems. |
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| Diagnosis |
| Pets exhibiting clinical signs of the disease, with a history of
playing in water or parks, may be suspect for leptospirosis.
Veterinarians obtain blood samples for laboratory evaluation and may
run additional tests on the liver and kidney. Urine and blood can
also be specially stained with fluorescent antibodies to detect the
bacteria. |
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| Treatment |
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 Dogs showing severe clinical signs may be hospitalized for
treatment. In the hospital, these pets may receive intravenous
fluids and antibiotics, as well as other medications to control
diarrhea and vomiting.
Once stabilized, infected dogs may continue
to receive antibiotics to control the infection at home. Dogs with
kidney damage may require a special diet over the long-term.
Many dogs receive a vaccine for
leptospirosis in their annual boosters. The efficacy of the vaccine
is debated, however, primarily because there are so many varieties
of the bacteria and the length of time over which the vaccine is
effective is limited.
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| Please do not use our website to attempt to diagnose or treat your pet. The consultation with your veterinarian is the best source of health advice for your individual pet. You should not rely, on the veterinary advice or any other information provided on this site for the diagnosis or treatment of any specific condition. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the medical condition or general treatment of your pet. Günbil German shepherd dogs, worldclassgsd.com and or Günbil German shepherds, accepts no liability related to the veterinary advice and
information provided on this site regarding health matters. |
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