Warm Winter To Blame for Increased Leptospirosis Cases
Five dogs were treated at BluePearl Veterinary Partners, and two of the five died. Three dogs were treated at the Bergen County Veterinary Center and all survived; and three or more are being treated at Oradell Animal Hospital and their status is unknown. Tracy Horyczun, hospital administrator at BluePearl, says that the number of dogs they are seeing with Lepto is elevated for this time of the year. Lepto is not typically seen this early, but she believes the warmer winter much of the U.S. has experienced has given rise to the disease in wildlife animals.
If pet owners see signs of tiredness, red eyes, or chills in their pets, they should seek veterinary care immediately. Lab tests are needed to determine positive cases of lepto, and if untreated the infection can severely damage a pet’s organs, or even kill them.
Vets warn that humans can also catch the disease, but that the infected urine would have to go through the mouth, eyes or other exposed body part of a human for that to happen. Still, pet owners should also be cautious as they walk their pets. Person-to-person transmission of lepto is possible, though rare.
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