Leptospirosis in Dogs
One of the most important parts about owning a dog is caring for it and protecting it. That means being aware of the presence of viruses and illnesses that can potentially harm our four-legged friends. One such disease is leptospirosis, an illness that can be extremely debilitating for dogs.
Let a knowledgeable vet Columbia, MD tell you all you need to know about the disease and how to help prevent your pooch from getting it.
What is leptospirosis?
Found throughout the globe, this disease derives from the leptospira organism. It is not able to survive in freezing temperatures, so it comes out once the climate starts to warm up in the spring and summer. The organism itself thrives in wet conditions, meaning you are likely to find it in standing water, mud or in damp ground.
Since our furry pets tend to roam freely outside, there’s always a chance that they may come in contact with it. If you believe your dog may have come into contact with the virus, be sure to take them to a veterinarian Columbia, MD right away.
Symptoms
If your dog has contracted leptospirosis, they will exhibit numerous symptoms. They may have a loss of appetite and not want to eat anything, or they might even start vomiting. They might display signs of being lethargic and not having any energy. If your dog is normally active with a pep in its step, it might be considerably quieter.
The disease also causes dogs to be weak, so your dog may be laboring and whimpering in pain while walking around. Muscle pain is another common symptom, and in worst case scenarios, the virus can lead to kidney failure. If your dog has any of these symptoms, immediately summon the expertise of a veterinary clinic Columbia, MD.
Leptospirosis symptoms usually take between 4 and 12 days to show after exposure, so if your dog contracts it, they won’t be affected right away. The disease can be detected via blood test at a local animal hospital Columbia, MD. Be sure to act quickly if you notice symptoms. If left untreated, the disease has the potential to be life-threatening for your dog and put their lungs, heart, liver, and brain in jeopardy.
Prevention
The leptospira organism loves to reside in sources of warm standing water. For this reason, urge your pet to not drink from these water sources. Other wildlife creatures like skunks, raccoons, rats, etc can carry the disease. Be sure to devise a way to prevent these animals from being attracted to your garbage can and keeping them away from your property.
Your nearby veterinary clinic Columbia, MD can come up with other helpful tips to prevent your dog from contracting the disease. The good news is that there is a leptospirosis vaccine available for your pet. You can have a local pet clinic Columbia, MD administer the vaccine to your dog during the wintertime. That way, by the time spring and summertime roll around and the organism becomes present, your dog’s immune system will be protected from it.
If you have any questions about leptospirosis or are interested in learning more about the vaccine, make an appointment at your vet Columbia, MD.
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