Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease seen primarily in dogs It spreads through contact with the urine of an animal that's infected with it. The spiral-shaped bacteria that cause the disease thrive in warm and moist environments. If you're in the Niwot, CO, area and are concerned about your dog contracting this disease, it's important to work with a veterinarian at Niwot Veterinary Clinic to get answers to your questions. Then you'll know how to protect yourself and your pets.
What Animals Carry Leptospirosis?
Many wild animals carry leptospirosis. These include raccoons and rodents, but the disease can also occur in stray dogs and other wild or feral animals, as well. When they come into contact with your dog, or your dog digs in soil that has their urine in it, your pet is put at risk. Since this isn't a disease that's talked about a lot by vets or the public, a lot of pet owners don't realize the severity of leptospirosis or how easy it is for their pets to get sick just from playing in the yard or digging in the park.
What Are the Symptoms of This Condition?
Leptospirosis can cause a wide range of symptoms. The type and severity of symptoms differ depending on your dog. However, dogs that have this disease often present with vomiting and abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea. Infected animals may also refuse to eat, and can have severe muscle pain, depression, and weakness. If you notice some or all of these signs in your pet, it's important to take your dog to a vet hospital for diagnosis and treatment.
Can Other Pets, Like Cats, Contract Leptospirosis?
While it's entirely possible for your cat to contract leptospirosis, it's also not that likely. The disease is seen primarily in wild animals and dogs. Still, keep an eye out for symptoms of the disease in all of your pets, because it's not an impossibility. If you have a dog who contracts the condition, you may also need to treat your cat or other pets in the house for it, too, just as a precaution.
How Can a Veterinary Hospital Help?
Your veterinarian can help by diagnosing the issue and providing your pet with antibiotics to treat it. That's why it's so important to take any pet that may have leptospirosis to the vet. When you bring your pets to our veterinary clinic, you give them the chance to feel better fast. Get in touch with us today at Niwot Veterinary Clinic if you're in the Niwot, CO, and looking for a veterinary hospital near you. We can give your pet the treatment they need.