Dog deaths linked to bacteria in puddles

Leptospirosis, a lethal disease, is spread by canines drinking standing water.|

Local veterinarians are on high alert for symptoms of Leptospirosis, a lethal bacterial disease sometimes present in standing water. The danger is especially high, raised to dangerous levels by the County’s unprecedented recent period of extended rainfall.

Karen Pierce Gonzalez, of Rohnert Park, recently lost her dog Kada to the disease. After a walk through her neighborhood, Kada soon grew ill, showing signs of acute kidney failure. Two days later, Kada was gone.

“It was so sudden,” says Pierce-Gonzalez.

She now hopes that by spreading the word, others might be spared the loss her family has experienced.

“Kada picked it up from standing water, which is everywhere,” she points out. “Even dogs on leashes are susceptible. It’s just really, really sad.”

Leptospirosis – often called Lepto for short - is spread largely through contact with infected animal urine, easily deposited in water sources, or carried along infected soil by flowing water. Local concern is heightened after a rash of dog-deaths in San Francisco in the latter part of February. A similar epidemic of Leptospirosis-related dog deaths began in Northern Arizona earlier in February.

“Lepto is a nasty little bacteria,” says Dr. Howard Rosnar, of Sonoma Veterinarian Clinic. “It usually presents with a high fever that doesn’t respond to treatment, and includes signs of kidney disease, heavy urination, dehydration. It’s treatable if caught early, but only rarely. The best prevention is vaccination before your dog is exposed.”

Noting that many dog-owning residents of San Francisco spend their weekends in Wine Country, and that some residents of the North Bay work in the city Monday through Friday, Dr. Rosnar believes the risk of spread to Petaluma and beyond is very real.

“If Lepto is being seen in San Francisco, it’s just a matter of time till we see it here,” he says. “I think it’s crucial to be vaccinating for Lepto, especially now.”

According to veterinarian Dave Rupiper of East Petaluma Animal Hospital, no cases have been reported at his facility this year.

“We usually have two or three cases annually, however,” he says. “Oftentimes these pets already have significant infection by the time they are presented.”

Rupiper points out that potentially hazardous areas, where Lepto could be a threat, include hiking trails, streams, local rivers, and communal water sources such as dog parks and community gardens. Not that such dog-pleasing places should necessarily be entirely avoided.

“I personally do take my dog to local parks,” he allows. “We go to dog parks and the Russian River, so I have always my dog vaccinated for Leptospirosis. If pet owners frequent these types of areas, they should definitely speak to their veterinarian about the risks versus benefits of vaccination.”

But what, exactly, is Leptospirosis?

The highly-infectious disease is caused by Leptospira, a corkscrew shaped bacteria that, if left untreated, spreads quickly, potentially resulting in kidney failure, internal bleeding and other fatal complications. The best prevention, most veterinarians agree, is for dog-owners to have their dogs vaccinated by a licensed vet. Most dogs are vaccinated for Lepto and other illnesses early on in their lives, but the Lepto vaccine requires yearly doses to stay effective.

“Vaccine types vary,” says Dr. Rupiper. “Our practice uses a Leptospira bacterin containing the four most common types of Leptospires considered to be present in our area. Costs will vary from veterinarian to veterinarian, and from location to location.”

The cost of vaccination, generally speaking, is rarely prohibitive.

Protecting Petaluma’s puppies in just one good reason why vaccination for Lepto should be taken seriously. According to reports on the disease, there is always some concern that the bacteria could spread to humans - though instances of Lepto moving from animal to human are rare.

“We have not had a human case in Sonoma County since 2007,” says Scott Alonso, Marketing Director of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services. “Frequent unprotected contact with infected urine may increase the risk somewhat, so liquid and solid wastes from infected dogs should be disposed of as biohazardous wastes. Any bedding material the dog might have had contact with should be washed in hot water with bleach.”

Alonso says that though local County-operated animal shelters have yet to report any new cases of Leptospirosis, it’s one of many illnesses that animal health experts are always on alert for.

“Our shelter vaccinates every dog for Lepto, upon entering the shelter,” he says.

According to Dr. Rupiper, most dogs receiving Lepto vaccinations should also be vaccinated for Lyme’s disease and similarly “outdoorsy” illnesses.

“Dogs vaccinated for Leptospirosis generally have similar exposure to tick-borne diseases,” he says. “Furthermore, these animals frequenting tick areas should be on high-quality and effective flea and tick medication, as well as heartworm prevention medications. Similar to Leptospirosis, heartworm disease, which is spread by mosquitoes, is often present in areas with standing water.”

(Contact David at david.templeton@arguscourier.com.)

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