Leptospirosis Alert For Qld Dogs

[Tink]

Hello

I'd like to share some information that may save a family losing their beloved dog.

Last week, my beautiful 5yo Labrador was being treated by a wonderful and kind Vet for suspected Leptospirosis. Sadly, my Lab needed to be put gently to sleep, having deteriorated to a point he was unlikely to recover. It's possible that he picked up the disease by staying at a Mackay kennel for a short few days when my family needed to make an unexpected trip interstate.

While both my dogs were vaccinated to C5; it's C6 or C7 that would have prevented this. I have since been told that 'Lepto' is not a vaccination normally given to dogs, as the disease is not in our area (Central Qld), and vaccinations are only given if the request is made. I was uninformed about the disease - so how could I ask for it???

Families in the Central Qld region often travel to/from Mackay for weekends and school holidays with their dogs, so I believe where a family resides shouldn't limit vaccinaiton options, rather, the lifestyle should be considered. My dog would probably be alive if I was told by the vaccinating Vet that it's HIGHLY recommended for dogs that spend any time in the Mackay area (and I also wonder if the Qld floods have potentially extended the area of outbreaks).

Leptospirosis is a disease carried by rats. My understanding is that it's the Australis strain that is most fatal to dogs and is found largely agricultural areas in temperate climates. Transmission can occur through contact with infected urine, bites, wounds or ingestion of contaminated food or water AND humans can contract the disease. When my beautiful Lab was sick, I phoned a Mackay clinic to determine a likely prognosis as I was told that Mackay was a hot spot for the disease. I was advised of the 19 recent cases the clinic had, only 3 dogs survived - these pets may have picked up the disease in their own soggy backyards!!

My message for dog owners - P L E A S E check to see if your dog has been vaccinated for Leptospirosis. If you spend any time in a high risk area eg Mackay and temperate climates, P L E A S E have your dog vaccinated to prevent this fatal disease.

My message to breeders - P L E A S E inform the new owner of your lovely puppy/dog of the disease and get them to discuss the Leptospirosis vaccine with their Vet. They might not live in a high risk area now, however, they may access on in the future.

Thank you for reading this, I hope it saves someone the heartbreak my family are feeling.

Tink

Edited April 19, 2011 by Tink

[Staranais]

I'm sorry you lost your dog.

[D & D]

So sorry to hear about your dog.

We get Lepto here, too. It's an awful disease.

Both of my dogs are vaccinated against it. We often travel to a friend's farm and they're always playing in the dams and billabongs. Waterways can be affected by rats peeing at the edge.

[puglvr]

My brother is a dairy farmer and he contracted Lepto. It was thought it was probably from infected cow urine. It will enter through cuts or open skin and it is also taken in through the nose and mouth. If you can smell it you are breathing it in. He was very very sick and the specialist at the time only found it because my brother asked if he could have Brucillocous(SP)? The specialist said if the organisms had actually made it to his heart he would have died.

[Sandra777]

Sorry you lost your dog.

I have lost a dog to Lepto too - my dog was vaccinated.

Don't beat yourself up about not vaccinating your boy against it as the Lepto vaccine is not always reliable - Lepto isn't a virus so the vaccination doesn't work very well and doesn't last very long either.

It's a horrible disease and a terrible thing to see your dog go through.

[Tink]

Sorry you lost your dog.

I have lost a dog to Lepto too - my dog was vaccinated.

Don't beat yourself up about not vaccinating your boy against it as the Lepto vaccine is not always reliable - Lepto isn't a virus so the vaccination doesn't work very well and doesn't last very long either.

It's a horrible disease and a terrible thing to see your dog go through.

So sorry to hear that you lost a lovely dog too, it's such a terrible loss.

If I could mention here the advice from our Vet who tried so hard to save my lovely fellow - ensure the vaccination is for the Australis strain. Apparently it's only available from one company in Australia and the other vaccine for Lepto (mixed with something else) is not for Australis. My little 12yo Pug has just got his first shot, and has a booster in 1 months time. He's a dear little bloke, and it's quite apparent that he misses his big boofy friend .

[Stolzseinrotts]

I am very sorry to hear about your dog.

May he RIP

Thank you for posting this information, if it saves one dog it was well worth it.

Let us hope that the message will be spread far and wide and no more will succumb to it.