What is leptospirosis in dogs? 

Leptospirosis is a serious life-threatening blood infection caused by spiral-shaped bacteria referred to as spirochetes. This infectious bacteria has many species, although fewer than ten species or serovars threaten animal health. The bacteria live in slow-moving or standing water such as a puddle after a rainstorm but can survive for months in the soil after the water has cleared. Dogs serve as the primary host for this bacteria although many other mammalian species, including humans, can be infected. Dogs of any age, breed, or sex are at risk of becoming infected. Wildlife such as raccoons or rats often spread this bacteria through their bodily fluids, especially their urine. Dogs commonly become infected from:

• Drinking contaminated water
• Swimming or stepping in contaminated water with cut paws or irritated skin
• Bite wounds
• Eating infected tissue

Leptospirosis signs in dogs

Leptospirosis spreads quickly through the bloodstream of infected dogs but can take up to a week before any disease signs are present. The bacteria initially inflames the blood vessels as they travel through the body but can affect any organ system. Some form of kidney damage occurs in more than 87% of infected dogs. Clinical signs can vary from mild to severe and include:

• Fever
• Muscle stiffness and pain 
• Bruising
• Bleeding
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss
• Yellowing skin (i.e., jaundice)
• Tissue edema
• Abdominal pain
• Cloudy eyes
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Increased, decreased, or absent urination
• Dehydration

Dogs whose lungs become infected with these spirochetes are at risk of developing leptospiral pulmonary hemorrhagic syndrome which is a fatal condition in more than 70% of cases. Some animals who become infected with leptospirosis will also have irreversible immune problems and chronic kidney or liver disease regardless of treatment. 

Leptospirosis diagnosis and treatment in dogs 

Bring your dog for immediate veterinary care if they show leptospirosis signs after exposure to wildlife or standing water. Your family veterinarian will discuss your dog’s history and perform a thorough physical examination, and may recommend several blood and urine tests including:

• Complete blood count (CBC)  — This test will help evaluate whether your dog has an infection or any internal bleeding.
• Serum chemistry —This test is important to evaluate the health of the kidneys, liver, and other organs. 
• Electrolytes —Many dogs with this infection become dehydrated and have imbalanced electrolyte levels.  
• Serologic tests — These blood or urine tests will aid in determining if signs are consistent with leptospirosis. 

Your dog will likely need to stay in a veterinary hospital for several days depending on the severity of illness related to leptospirosis. Fortunately, this infection is extremely responsive to antibiotic therapy, but your dog will need additional care to treat the bacteria-associated illnesses. Leptospirosis treatment may include:

• Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy
• Pain medication
• Anti-nausea medication
• Gastrointestinal protectants
• Liver support medication

Dogs diagnosed with leptospirosis will need antibiotics for at least two weeks and will likely need follow-up appointments to monitor for any long-term organ damage. You must always wear gloves when handling your infected dog until your family veterinarian confirms the infection has been cleared from their system.

Financial planning for dogs undergoing treatment for leptospirosis

Treatment and post-recovery monitoring of dogs infected with leptospirosis can be expensive. Pet insurance plans like Trupanion Express have policies available to alleviate the financial stress of an unexpected illness and hospitalization. However, you must research and choose a plan before your dog needs urgent care and treatment. Many financial institutions also offer pet health savings accounts which also are a great way to plan ahead for unexpected and costly veterinary treatment. Alternate payment methods such as Care Credit, Scratch Pay, and short-term bank loans can also alleviate your concerns about paying a large unexpected veterinary bill by allowing you to spread out the payments. 

Preventing leptospirosis in your dog

Vaccination against the most common leptospirosis serovars is the most effective way to prevent any associated clinical illness in your dog. Other prevention methods include:

• Avoiding areas of standing water
• Controlling rodents and other wildlife around your home and immediate environment
• Avoiding letting your dog swim in lakes around heavily wooded areas
• Designating a specific location for your dog to eliminate while undergoing treatment
• Ensuring your dog does not eat wildlife 

Call our office if your dog has signs consistent with leptospirosis or you are worried they may have contacted contaminated water. We recommend having your dog vaccinated with your family veterinarian to prevent this potentially deadly infection. #AECprevents

Sources:

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951453

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/leptospirosis/leptospirosis-in-dogs?query=leptospirosis%20dogs

https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2017-09/leptospirosis-the-vaccine-preventable-great-pretender

The post Does Your Dog Need A Leptospirosis Vaccine? appeared first on Animal Emergency Care (AEC) Bellingham, WA.

What is canine parvovirus?

Canine parvovirus causes a highly infectious viral disease typically referred to as parvo. Infected dogs shed the parvovirus in their feces, and the virus remains in the environment for months or even years since it is highly resistant to disinfectants and temperature changes. Dogs typically become infected when they ingest the virus, such as by eating grass or licking their feet after being outside. The virus can also contaminate inanimate objects such as food bowls, shoes, and clothing which infects other dogs. Puppies are highly susceptible to infection and suffer the most severe signs since their immunity has not yet fully developed. 

Canine parvovirus attacks a dog’s intestinal lining which sloughs and sheds in the feces. Intestinal bacteria and toxins then enter exposed blood vessels and cause septicemia, a body-wide blood infection. Severe septicemia and dehydration cause serious illness and can be deadly, despite treatment. 

In rare cases, canine parvovirus can attack the heart muscle of young puppies (i.e., younger than 8 weeks) causing heart failure and sudden death. 

What are canine parvovirus signs?

Parvo signs develop secondary to severe intestinal damage and may include:

• Lethargy 
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Severe, hemorrhagic diarrhea
• Severe dehydration

Many illnesses and infections, including intestinal parasites and gastritis, can cause vomiting and diarrhea in puppies which can quickly lead to life-threatening dehydration. Any puppy with these signs should be evaluated immediately by a veterinarian for a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.

How is canine parvovirus treated?

Canine parvovirus infections typically require hospitalization and intensive treatment. This may include:

• Intravenous fluids to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
• Injectable medications to control nausea and vomiting
• Antibiotics to treat or prevent septicemia
• Invasive nutritional support
• Plasma transfusions

Infected dogs are treated in an isolation ward since parvo is highly contagious. Contamination is contained and they cannot pass the infection to other hospital patients. They are cared for by hospital team members wearing disposable gowns, gloves, and shoe coverings to prevent spread. 

Affected dogs typically are hospitalized for several days to a week. With aggressive treatment, 70% to 90% of dogs with parvo will survive, but survival rates are significantly lower without treatment. 

How can I plan ahead for an unexpected veterinary emergency?

No pet owner wants to be caught unprepared for a veterinary emergency and be forced to make life-or-death decisions based on finances. Long-term hospitalization and intensive treatment, whether for an infectious disease, a traumatic injury, or a sudden illness, can quickly become costly, so plan ahead for a potential emergency. Pet health insurance, purchased through trusted companies such as Trupanion, allows you to focus on your pet’s care and recovery instead of scraping together funds to cover treatment—or worse, not being able to proceed with treatment due to finances. 

Alternative methods that can help pay for your pet’s treatment include:

• CareCredit — A credit card solely for medical expenses, Care Credit allows facilities to delay interest. Most veterinary hospitals will delay interest payments for six months on expenses more than $200.
• Scratch Pay — Scratch Pay offers a line of credit that is limited to one facility only, although you can apply for credit at multiple facilities. You can choose the repayment term, and interest rates vary according to the timeline and your credit history. 
• Bank loans — Although private bank loans typically have higher interest rates, they may be your only choice in an emergency situation.

These options can help cover your pet’s medical costs in a pinch, but you will have less stress if you plan ahead and purchase pet medical insurance when you first adopt your pet because you will know they are covered.

How can I prevent canine parvovirus in my dog? 

Fortunately, canine parvovirus is preventable with routine vaccination. Puppies should receive their first parvovirus vaccination at 6 to 8 weeks of age, as well as boosters every three to four weeks until they are at least 16 weeks old. Every puppy must receive the full vaccination series as partial vaccination may not produce adequate virus immunity and leave your pup vulnerable to infection. Some dog breeds such as rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, American pit bull terriers, German shepherd dogs, and English springer spaniels have a higher incidence of parvo, and may require additional vaccines. Your puppy should not leave your yard until their vaccinations are complete as parvovirus is ubiquitous in the environment, and exposure is highly likely.  

Adult dogs should receive a vaccine booster at 1 year of age, and then once every three years.

Do not delay if your puppy develops vomiting and diarrhea. Contact your family veterinarian, or call us for help if needed. #AECprevents

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