
MONTAUK COLUMNS *Dr. Molly's Summer Pet Tips..* Montauk's Mobile Vet *What you need to know about Leptospirosis* What is it? Leptospirosis is a bacterial spirochete that is transmitted in the urine of common wildlife. Raccons, possums and rats, which Montauk has plenty of, are known carriers of this bacteria. To date 6 serovars have been indentified with four causing disease in Long Island. For years Lepto was the L in the Distemper combo vaccine DHLPP, but the serovars have changed and we are now seeing disease from the 4 “new” leptospira. Clinical signs of Leptospirosis in dogs are fever, lethargy, and icterus(yellow mucus membranes). The good news is that this is a treatable disease if detected early. The bad news is that some dogs will not show clinical signs until their kidneys have been permanently damaged. Left untreated Leptospirosis can cause both kidney and liver failure in dogs. The Center for Disease Control reports Leptospirosis as one of the most common Zoonotic dieases. Zoonotic disease is any infection that can be spread from one animal species to a human. The danger lies in dogs that are unvaccinated asymptomatic carriers shedding the spirochete in their urine. At this time cats appear to be resistant to infection J. Where is it? Spirochetes can be found in standing water. Infected wildlife shed these organisms in their urine. There are increased cases seen all over long island during the heavier rain months in Spring and Fall. Dogs become infected by drinking the infected water, cleaning themselves, or simply enjoying a swim in contaminated water. How do you prevent it? There is now a 4 serovar vaccine available to protect dogs from Leptospirosis. Furthermore, studies show that once vaccinated, dogs do not shed the organism in their urine thereby protecting people and other dogs. Please have your dog vaccinated for leptospirosis to help protect both your dog and you! Have a great Summer. ~ Dr Molly and Christine Montauk Mobile Vet Contact information: Contact Montauk's Mobile Vet at: 631-238-5171 for any of your pets’ needs.
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MONTAUK COLUMNS

Dr. Molly's Summer Pet Tips..
Montauk's Mobile Vet

What you need to know about Leptospirosis

What is it? Leptospirosis is a bacterial spirochete that is transmitted in the urine of common wildlife. Raccons, possums and rats, which Montauk has plenty of, are known carriers of this bacteria. To date 6 serovars have been indentified with four causing disease in Long Island. For years Lepto was the L in the Distemper combo vaccine DHLPP, but the serovars have changed and we are now seeing disease from the 4 “new” leptospira. Clinical signs of Leptospirosis in dogs are fever, lethargy, and icterus(yellow mucus membranes). The good news is that this is a treatable disease if detected early. The bad news is that some dogs will not show clinical signs until their kidneys have been permanently damaged. Left untreated Leptospirosis can cause both kidney and liver failure in dogs. The Center for Disease Control reports Leptospirosis as one of the most common Zoonotic dieases. Zoonotic disease is any infection that can be spread from one animal species to a human. The danger lies in dogs that are unvaccinated asymptomatic carriers shedding the spirochete in their urine. At this time cats appear to be resistant to infection J.

Where is it? Spirochetes can be found in standing water. Infected wildlife shed these organisms in their urine. There are increased cases seen all over long island during the heavier rain months in Spring and Fall. Dogs become infected by drinking the infected water, cleaning themselves, or simply enjoying a swim in contaminated water.

How do you prevent it? There is now a 4 serovar vaccine available to protect dogs from Leptospirosis. Furthermore, studies show that once vaccinated, dogs do not shed the organism in their urine thereby protecting people and other dogs.

Please have your dog vaccinated for leptospirosis to help protect both your dog and you! Have a great Summer.

~ Dr Molly and Christine

Montauk Mobile Vet Contact information:
Contact Montauk's Mobile Vet at: 631-238-5171 for any of your pets’ needs.

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