CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS - A ZOONOTIC DISEASE

A zoonotic disease is one capable of being transmitted from animals to man. Canine leptospirosis is just such a disease. Dogs generally contract leptospirosis from water sources contaminated by the urine of wild animals such as rodents, raccoons, opossums as well as cattle and swine. People can also acquire the disease through contact with the infected urine of their pet or contaminated water sources. The signs most commonly reported in dogs with leptospirosis are: vomiting, lethargy,loss of appetite, joint pain stiffness and fever. The most serious condition associated with the disease is acute kidney failure.

As part of your dog's annual wellness exam we can vaccinate him or her against the most common serovars or varients of the leptospira organism thus protecting them and your family from this potentially serious and possibly deadly disease. 

For more information about leptospirosis and your pet go to www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis g pet.htm