Drew Good
03-15-2007, 01:50 PM
With the recent thread on vaccinations I felt that this would be a good thing to post. I have had my dogs vaccinated for lepto the last couple of years. In the US they are seeing a outbreak of this.....
TO: Veterinarians; Animal Control Officers;Kennels; Pet shops
FROM: Warren County Health Department
SUBJECT: guidance on Canine Leptospirosis
SOURCE: NJDHSS
DATE: March 1, 2007
DISTRIBUTED BY: Sally E. Weirback, LINCS Coordinator
Phone: 908-689-6693
Fax: 908-689-3832
Email: sw5@njlincs.net
NJLINCS Health Alert Network
Public Health Advisory
Distributed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Subject: Guidance on Canine Leptospirosis
Date: 3/1/2007; 15:21:59
Message #: 100398-3-1-2007-PHAD
Contact Info: Colin T. Campbell, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Phone: 609-588-3121; Email: colin.campbell@doh.state.nj.us
Faye E. Sorhage, New Jersey Department of Health
Phone: 609-588-3121; Email: faye.sorhage@doh.state.nj.us
Attachments: canine_leptospirosis_Alert_LINCS_March_2007_letter head.doc
Please distribute this notice and the attachment to veterinarians, animal control officers and managers of shelters, pet shops, pounds and kennels in your jurisdiction
New Jersey veterinarians are reporting that they are seeing an increase in cases of canine leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can cause infection in the liver and kidneys in their client's dogs. Leptospirosis can also affect humans, although it's usually associated with contact with contaminated water as opposed to contact with infected pets.
The bacteria causing leptospirosis are spread through the urine of infected animals (raccoons, opossums, skunks and rodents), which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months. Humans and animals can become infected through contact with this contaminated urine, water, or soil. The bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch. Drinking contaminated water can also cause infection. Because of increased building and development into areas that were previously rural, pets may be exposed to displaced wildlife infected with leptospirosis.
The incubation period is usually 5 to 14 days, but can be as short as a few days or as long as 30 days or more. The clinical signs of leptospirosis vary and are nonspecific. Sometimes pets do not have any symptoms.
Common clinical signs reported in dogs include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, refusal to eat, severe weakness and depression, stiffness, severe muscle pain, or infertility. Generally younger animals are more seriously affected than older animals. Dogs that spend little outdoors are still at risk of infection.
Veterinarians are urged to consider leptospirosis in their differential diagnoses. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics will increase the chance of a good prognosis and more rapid and complete recovery. Aggressive supportive treatment may be required.
Veterinarians should consider leptospirosis vaccination for their client's dogs. It should be noted that commercial vaccines do not provide immunity against all serovars of the bacteria which can cause infection. Because rodents can spread the bacteria, keep rodent problems (rats, mice, or other animal pests) under control.
NJDHSS in collaboration with the Sussex County Division of Health and Sussex county veterinarians has developed the attached, "Advice for Dog Owners with Pets Infected with Leptospirosis," and encourages veterinarians, animal control officers and managers of shelters, pet shops, pounds and kennels to distribute this information to pet owners, as appropriate.
TO: Veterinarians; Animal Control Officers;Kennels; Pet shops
FROM: Warren County Health Department
SUBJECT: guidance on Canine Leptospirosis
SOURCE: NJDHSS
DATE: March 1, 2007
DISTRIBUTED BY: Sally E. Weirback, LINCS Coordinator
Phone: 908-689-6693
Fax: 908-689-3832
Email: sw5@njlincs.net
NJLINCS Health Alert Network
Public Health Advisory
Distributed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Subject: Guidance on Canine Leptospirosis
Date: 3/1/2007; 15:21:59
Message #: 100398-3-1-2007-PHAD
Contact Info: Colin T. Campbell, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Phone: 609-588-3121; Email: colin.campbell@doh.state.nj.us
Faye E. Sorhage, New Jersey Department of Health
Phone: 609-588-3121; Email: faye.sorhage@doh.state.nj.us
Attachments: canine_leptospirosis_Alert_LINCS_March_2007_letter head.doc
Please distribute this notice and the attachment to veterinarians, animal control officers and managers of shelters, pet shops, pounds and kennels in your jurisdiction
New Jersey veterinarians are reporting that they are seeing an increase in cases of canine leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can cause infection in the liver and kidneys in their client's dogs. Leptospirosis can also affect humans, although it's usually associated with contact with contaminated water as opposed to contact with infected pets.
The bacteria causing leptospirosis are spread through the urine of infected animals (raccoons, opossums, skunks and rodents), which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months. Humans and animals can become infected through contact with this contaminated urine, water, or soil. The bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch. Drinking contaminated water can also cause infection. Because of increased building and development into areas that were previously rural, pets may be exposed to displaced wildlife infected with leptospirosis.
The incubation period is usually 5 to 14 days, but can be as short as a few days or as long as 30 days or more. The clinical signs of leptospirosis vary and are nonspecific. Sometimes pets do not have any symptoms.
Common clinical signs reported in dogs include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, refusal to eat, severe weakness and depression, stiffness, severe muscle pain, or infertility. Generally younger animals are more seriously affected than older animals. Dogs that spend little outdoors are still at risk of infection.
Veterinarians are urged to consider leptospirosis in their differential diagnoses. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics will increase the chance of a good prognosis and more rapid and complete recovery. Aggressive supportive treatment may be required.
Veterinarians should consider leptospirosis vaccination for their client's dogs. It should be noted that commercial vaccines do not provide immunity against all serovars of the bacteria which can cause infection. Because rodents can spread the bacteria, keep rodent problems (rats, mice, or other animal pests) under control.
NJDHSS in collaboration with the Sussex County Division of Health and Sussex county veterinarians has developed the attached, "Advice for Dog Owners with Pets Infected with Leptospirosis," and encourages veterinarians, animal control officers and managers of shelters, pet shops, pounds and kennels to distribute this information to pet owners, as appropriate.