As pet owners in South Florida are being warned about a deadly bacterial disease that can infect dogs and transmit to people, as well, Tampa Bay area veterinarians say leptospirosis is also a concern here.
While Tampa Bay area vets haven’t necessarily noticed an uptick in cases here, the risk of contamination is present, they say. South Florida media outlets have warned about the bacteria in recent days.
Dr. John Gicking of BluePearl Veterinary Partners told Patch that leptospirosis occurs regularly in the Bay area. The disease is caused by bacteria carried by small animals, such as rodents and raccoons. When infected animals urinate they may contaminate canals, puddles of water and other sources of standing water. Should a dog happen to run through contaminated water, it can become infected as a result, Gicking said.
Leptospirosis can cause such symptoms in dogs as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, excessive thirst and jaundice. It can prove fatal to dogs and may also be spread to humans.
Dogs can be treated with a round of antibiotics and sometimes their immune systems are capable of fighting off the infection, as well.
“You may also want to talk to your family veterinarian about getting your dog vaccinated for leptospirosis,” said Gicking, who is board-certified in emergency medicine and critical care.
Gicking especially suggests that pet owners with dogs that frequently run through creeks, canals and puddles, such as hunting dogs, get the vaccine.
Leptospirosis infections can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory disease and even death in people, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. People also contract the illness by coming into contact with contaminated animal urine, the agency noted on its website. Symptoms in people are similar to those displayed in canines, but may also include a high fever, red eyes, abdominal pain and a rash. Antibiotics are also used to treat the infection in people.
To avoid contamination, the CDC recommends people avoid swimming or wading in waters that might be contaminated and avoiding exposure to potentially contaminated animal urine.
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