Overview
When you bring your dog to the veterinary clinic for his annual wellness visit , you may be demand if your domestic dog is vaccinated for a disease called swamp fever .
This extremely infective bacterial disease is prevalent worldwide and can stimulate serious illness for both you and your dog . Fortunately , there are steps you could take to reduce your dog ’s jeopardy of acquiring this disease .
What is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease do by bacterial spirochete , a distorted character of bacterium . Leptospires primarily set on a dog ’s kidneys and liver , although some dogs may also grow respiratory symptom or bleeding abnormalities .
Leptospirosis is a somewhat common disease , particularly in later summer and early declension . In the United States , it is most common in the eastern , southeasterly , and midwestern states . In other percentage of the world , the prevalence and seasonality of the disease is variable . Most swamp fever infections occur after point of impenetrable rainfall or flooding .
In the past , herd dogs , heel , and cultivate dog incline to be the most commonly affected . now , due to urban conurbation into wildlife areas , dogs that are small , live in urban or suburban country , and are unvaccinated now are at equal risk for developing swamp fever .
Leptospirosis is particularly concerning because it is a zoonotic disease , mean that it can be communicate from beast to human beings . mass normally become infected through contact with the urine of an septic animal . This can include rodents , farm beast , or even pets .
Less commonly , citizenry may be exposed to swamp fever during recreational natural action like hiking or freshwater swim . In most mass , swamp fever stimulate mild illness , but some people can develop austere or even fateful infection . Children , the elderly , and the immunocompromised are at a peculiarly high endangerment of transmission .
Causesof Canine Leptospirosis
Dogs contract leptospirosis from pic to infected weewee , bite wound , ingestion of septic animals , or photograph to foul stain , pee , food , or bedding . Contact with farm animal or wildlife can increase your Canis familiaris ’s peril of developing swamp fever . Dogs go in urban areas are also at risk due to contact with infected rodents and their piss .
Leptospiral organisms can live for months in damp environments . Areas with moist soil or stagnant water system can be a source of transmission for your dog . The spirochaete put down your dog ’s body through mucous membrane , such as the oral fissure or nasal cavity , or through broken skin . Once the organism enter the blood stream , they reduplicate and spread rapidly .
unmediated transmission from dog to dog is uncommon , but your dog can become infected through contact with the weewee of an infected dog .
Symptomsof Leptospirosis in Dogs
After a weenie has been infected with swamp fever , it get approximately seven daytime for symptoms to acquire . In some dogs , in particular those under 6 months of long time , symptoms may be speedy and terrible . In others , symptoms may come on step by step and decline over time .
symptom of swamp fever in dogs can include :
If your heel is showing signs of leptospirosis , it is crucial to see your veterinarian right away . Not only can infections be serious for your frump , but there is a risk of send the disease to you or other members of your household . Identifying and addressing the disease rapidly is necessary to facilitate reduce the risk of transmission to other animals and humans .
Diagnosing Dogs with Leptospirosis
name a dog with swamp fever starts with your veterinarian convey a exhaustive history . Your vet will likely ask you about your dog ’s symptoms , lifestyle , vaccination history , and any recent travel .
Your veterinarian will also perform a full physical test , and may recommend the following diagnostic tests :
Blood Work . A complete blood count and biochemistry control panel will be used to evaluate your hot dog ’s resistant system and organ function . Leptospirosis often attacks the kidneys and liver , so blood work is an important tool to evaluate these organization .
uranalysis . Leptospirosis often affects the urinary arrangement in dogs , so your veterinary may recommend evaluating a urine sample distribution . This may show changes such as protein , ancestry , or cellular casts ( tube - shaped , small particles made of cells ) in the weewee . Your veterinary surgeon will also evaluate the specific gravity of the piddle , which is an index of kidney single-valued function .
Antibody Tests . Antibody test may be performed in the veterinary clinic to aid your veterinarian determine whether your frump has been exposed to leptospirosis . However , antibodies are only a sign of exposure and a positive result does not needs affirm an active contagion . Your vet may recommend substantiate the result by commit additional sample to a symptomatic laboratory .
Microscopic Agglutination Test ( MAT ) and Polymerase Chain Reaction ( PCR).These specialized tests are typically perform at a diagnostic research laboratory . They are often used to confirm the diagnosis of swamp fever . It may take several Day to receive the results of these tests , so your veterinary may advocate set forth treatment while you hold back for the results .
Leptospirosis Treatmentfor Dogs
The treatment for swamp fever focalize on antimicrobic drug to eliminate the bacteria and supportive care to help your dog fight the contagion .
Many dogs with leptospirosis will want to be hospitalise , especially during the first few days of treatment . Fortunately , dogs that receive agile and aggressive treatment commonly recuperate from the disease .
Medications to Treat Leptospirosis
Antibiotics . antibiotic such asdoxycyclineare the linchpin of discussion for leptospirosis . Your dog may get this medicinal drug by intravenous ( IV ) injection , especially if he is not eating well . As your dog starts to recuperate , your veterinarian may transition him to an unwritten pill or tablet which you’re able to administer at home .
fluid . Aggressive endovenous fluid therapy is of the essence to correct dehydration and dilute damage to the kidney . Your pawl will likely be contribute IV fluids during the first 24 - 48 hours of hospitalisation for leptospirosis .
Antiemetics . Many dog-iron feel nauseous as a upshot of the leptospirosis infection . Antiemetic and antacid medicinal drug may be allot either by word of mouth or intravenously to facilitate your firedog feel better and improve his appetence .
pain pill . Many dogs with swamp fever transmission live abdominal pain and muscle aches . Appropriate pain control can help your dog experience better , improve appetite , and speed healing .
Cost to Treat This Condition
The price to plow leptospirosis infections in dogs vary depending on the badness of the disease . Many dog need to be hospitalized , and some may need intensive care for several Day . While a balmy case of swamp fever may be possible to treat for as slight as $ 500 , treatment of a severe case that requires hospitalization may cost $ 2,000-$4,000 or more .
How to PreventDogs from Contracting Leptospirosis
Dogs typically contract swamp fever through contact with the urine of rodents or wildlife , or by accessing pixilated ground and stagnant water source . Controlling rodent population and reducing your bounder ’s access to high - hazard domain can help reduce your dog ’s luck of becoming infect .
Lepto Vaccine for Dogs
vaccination for leptospirosis in dogsare uncommitted . These vaccines are typically administered as a serial publication of two shot at 2 - 4 week intervals . A booster vaccine must be given annually to maintain unsusceptibility . Your veterinarian can help you determine if your Canis familiaris is a good campaigner for this vaccinum based on your geographical location and your dog ’s lifestyle .
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