Our friendly and ever-bubbly pets unfortunately cannot be that active daily, there are moments when they are down with sicknesses and we just need to be there for them at those moments. It is also our duty as pet owners to look out for our pets since we are the ones who can tell when certain things are harmful to them or not.
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Today's topic would be about leptospira bacteria, which is a water and soil type of infection. Different strains of leptospira bacteria can cause diseases and several mammals are susceptible too, this includes livestock, dogs, humans, and even some wildlife. Leptospirosis happens more when the climate is warm with a high annual rainfall, but this is not to say it cannot happen at any time of the year, especially during periods of heavy flooding or rainfall.
All dogs are at risk of getting infected with leptospirosis, regardless of their age, geographic location, or breed, but of course, some categories of dogs are more susceptible. For instance, those who drink water from a slow-moving or stagnant water source, are exposed to wild animals, those who roam on rural properties, and those who can easily come in contact with other different types of dogs.
Farm animals can get the disease during breeding with previously infected animals. Other animals can get it through skin damage, bite wounds, being born to an infected mother, consuming an infected tissue or organ, or getting into direct contact with an infected urine or contaminated source of water.
At the beginning phase of infection, dogs may begin to experience fever, lethargy, eye and nasal discharge, changes in the quantity of urine, jaundice, joint or muscle pain, loss of appetite, and discharge. After a few days of showing some of these symptoms, the affected dog begins to throw up, experience back pain resulting from kidney failure, and get highly dehydrated.
Cat is another close household pet that can get infected with leptospirosis, but it is usually believed that they are resistant to it, and that's because they rarely show any symptoms. They could shed leptospirosis in their urine for many years.
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When cows are affected by leptospirosis, it affects their reproductive system. It has two clinical representations, chronic infection considered as the silent type is not very common and the acute type is usually seen as an outbreak. It can cause, stillbirth, infertility, red-colored milk production heat during pregnancy, and abortion.
Sheep show similar characteristics to cats, they mostly wouldn't show symptoms, and this way they are often considered resistant to the disease.
There is a type of vaccination available to help reduce the risk of serious infection of leptospirosis in horses. It is very common in pigs too, it has become a major cause of reproductive loss, including abortions, stillbirth, or weak piglets.
Generally, leptospirosis infection is treated with antibiotics and supportive care, this is highly dependent on how sick the affected dog is, some medications, nutritional supports, and fluid therapy are often the most used options. When a dog's case is severe, there may be a need for intensive care therapy, dialysis, or mechanical breathing support.
When pet owners do their best to reduce the chances of exposure to their pets, the risk of infection can be adequately reduced. Make sure your dog does not drink from slow-moving stagnant waters, lakes, ponds, and marshy areas. Farm animals and wild rodents should be kept away from your pets. Veterinarians will most likely prescribe antibiotics to your pet, and you should make sure they are administered appropriately.
We are advised as caregivers not to have contact with urine. Pets should also be encouraged not to urinate close to water bodies to prevent the infection of other animals.