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GROTON CITY ANIMAL HOSPITAL
"Caring For Pets And Their People"
Providing Care For Horses, Alpacas, Llamas, Goats, Sheep, Dogs, Cats & Pocket
Pets
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Leptospirosis: A growing threat to
every dog.
- Leptospirosis or "lepto" is a deadly
bacterial disease spread by wildlife and domestic animals. Common
lepto carriers include raccoons, skunks, possums, squirrels, rats and
sometimes other dogs.
- The lepto bacteria is shed in urine.
Dogs become infected when they come into contact with fresh urine of
infected animals.
- The number of canine leptospirosis cases
has risen dramatically in recent years. Today, lepto is the #1 cause
of acute renal failure in dogs.
- Lepto is a zoonotic disease, meaning it
can be passed from dogs to people. Clinically signs include vomiting,
diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain and bloody urine.
Is your dog at risk?
- Does your dog play outdoors where
exposure or contact with wildlife is possible?
- Does your dog ever drink from ponds or
puddles?
- Do you bring your dog along while
walking, hiking, camping, picnicking, hunting or fishing?
- Are skunks, possums or raccoons found in
your area?
- Has lepto been diagnosed in your area,
in either dogs or people?
Virtually every dog that ventures outdoors is
at risk for lepto. Take steps now to protect your pet.
- Remove food, garbage or nesting
materials from your yard that may attract wildlife.
- Discourage your dog from drinking from
pond or puddles.
- Most importantly, ask your veterinarian
about annual protection with updated lepto vaccines.
Info provided by Fort Dodge Animal Health.
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