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Dangerous Dog Disease On The Rise In Area

News Channel 8 photo by WALLACE PATANOW

Gary Oswald, an internal medicine specialist, says dogs are at greater risk of contracting leptospirosis if they spend time in wooded areas or near freshwater ponds where infected dogs have been.

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By YOLANDA FERNANDEZ

News Channel 8

Published: February 18, 2009

A dog disease that veterinarians rarely saw five or 10 years ago is making a comeback in the Tampa Bay area.

Gary Oswald, an internal medicine specialist, said instances of leptospirosis have increased in recent years.

"We've seen new strains of leptospirosis much more pathogenic," or capable of causing disease," he said. "They'll shut liver and kidneys down and sometimes [cause] death in animals, so I think the word is finally out there that this is a new re-emergent disease."

The disease, caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium, spreads through the urine of infected animals. It can get into water or soil and survive for weeks or months.

Oswald said dogs are more inclined to contract the disease if they spend time in wooded areas or near freshwater ponds. Dogs in urban settings also can become infected, however.

"If you're in a concentrated area where many dogs are there, especially younger dogs are active, you can certainly get exposed in urban settings such as dog parks as well." he said.

In milder strains of leptospirosis, a dog may appear to have flu-like symptoms such as fever, refusal to eat and weakness. In more serious strains, if not treated with antibiotics, the disease can attack an animal's kidneys, liver and brain within a week or two.

By the time Oswald sees a dog, it often has an advanced case. On average, he said, he sees more than one severe case a month.

New vaccines on the market can protect dogs against four of the new strains of leptospirosis.
Oswald suggested dog owners ask their veterinarians if their pet is at risk.

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