Leptospirosis in DogsCauses, Symptoms & Treatment of Canine LeptoWhat is Leptospirosis in Dogs and should my Miniature Schnauzer be vaccinated for it?
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can infect both humans and dogs.The disease is transmitted by direct contact with fluids from infected animals..... That can be by swallowing contaminated food, water, or through skin contact via mucous membranes like the eyes and nostrils or broken skin. In dogs, the disease is more commonly transmitted by drinking puddle, pond, or ditch water contaminated by urine from infected wildlife such as skunks, squirrels and raccoons. But it can occur through direct contact with the infected animal as well, like from a bite wound. Leptospirosis in dogs can affect the liver and kidney both causing them to become damaged and diseased, as well as other internal organs. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
Leptospirosis Symptoms & TreatmentAlthough not all dogs will show signs of being infected with leptospirosis, signs of the disease are most severe in dogs 6 months or younger or those dogs not vaccinated for it. Since the disease infects the bloodstream it does travel quickly and treatment needs to begin early on to prevent permanent damage to internal organs.
Warning Signs of Leptospirosis in Dogs
Your veterinarian will do blood and urine tests on your Miniature Schnauzer to help determine the cause of illness. Once your veterinarian has made a definitive diagnosis of leptospirosis and if the disease is caught in time, it can be successfully treated with antibiotics (penicillin and tetracycline drugs) along with supportive treatments of fluid therapy. Leptospirosis Prevention & VaccinationsPrevention for leptospirosis in dogs is available with non-core vaccines. But it should be pointed out that there are several subtypes of leptospirosis and the vaccines protect against only a few of them. This is why it is important for each Schnauzer owner to have a thorough discussion and evaluation of your dog’s risk of being infected with their veterinarian, as vaccines do not go without their own threats to our Miniature Schnauzers (facial swelling, seizures, elevated heart rate, anaphylactic shock, coma, and death). note: The American Animal Hospital Association, AAHA considers leptospirosis vaccines as noncore vaccines. Non-core vaccines are for those dogs considered to be at an increased risk of being infected with a disease due to their lifestyle or living environment. Other non-core vaccines are for kennel cough and Lyme disease. If your Miniature Schnauzer goes swimming and/or drinks from infected waters, he could easily develop leptospirosis disease. That's why dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors or in wooded areas where wildlife is more plentiful, are at a higher risk of being infected (working breeds). Dogs that spend most of their time indoors or are not exposed to such high risk environments, are less likely to become infected. Leptospirosis Can be Transmitted to Humans
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