Leptospirosis is a disease that can affect human and animals, including your pets. All animals can potentially become infected with Leptospirosis. While for many years occurrence among pets was rare, the disease has been diagnosed more frequently in the past few years.

The bacteria that cause Leptospirosis are spread through the urine of infected animals, 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 (or other body fluids, except saliva), 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. Infected wild and domestic animals may continue to excrete the bacteria into the environment continuously or every once in a while for a few months up to several years.

If your pet has become infected, it most likely came into contact with the bacteria in the environment or was exposed to infected animals. Your pet may have been drinking, swimming, or walking through contaminated water. Because of increased building and development into areas that were previously rural, pets may be exposed to more wildlife, such as raccoons, skunks, squirrels, opossums, or deer that are infected with leptospirosis. Dogs also may pass the disease to each other, but this happens very rarely.

The clinical signs of leptospirosis vary and are nonspecific. Sometimes pets do not have any symptoms. Common clinical signs have been reported in dogs. These include:
•Fever
•Vomiting
•abdominal pain
•diarrhea
•refusal to eat
•severe weakness and depression
•stiffness
•severe muscle pain
•inability to have puppies

Generally younger animals are more seriously affected than older animals.

To help prevent Leptospirosis infection, keep rodent problems (rats, mice, or other animal pests) under control. Rodents can carry and spread the bacteria that causes this disease. For more information about rodent control, see: Prevent rodent infestations.

Get your pet vaccinated against leptospirosis. The vaccine does not provide 100% protection. This is because there are many strains (types) of leptospires (the bacteria that causes Leptospirosis), and the vaccine does not provide immunity against all strains. It is important to get your pet vaccinated again even if it gets leptospirosis because it can still get infected with a different strain of leptospires.

Pet owners should also take steps to prevent themselves and others from becoming infected with the disease due to an infected pet. The primary mode of transmission of leptospirosis from pets to humans is through direct or indirect contact with contaminated animal tissues, organs, or urine.

In some instances, shedding of leptospires in the urine may persist for as long as 3 months after infection as a result of inadequate or lack of treatment. Always contact your veterinarian and your physician if you have concerns about a possible exposure to an infected animal.

Contact us here at DWAH if your dog is not yet vaccinated to set up an appointment, or as always, call us for more information on Leptospirosis.

Losing a pet may be easier than you realize.

-Your pet digs under a fence or bolts through an electric or wireless fence and escapes

-Thunderstorms or fireworks cause your pet to panic and flee

-While traveling, your pet wanders into unfamiliar territory

-An emergency occurs and your pet gets lost in the turmoil

-A handyman accidently lets your pet out

-Someone steals your pet while unattended

1 in 3 pets goes missing during its lifetime, and without proper ID, 90% never return home. A microchip for dogs & cats gives the best protection with permanent ID that can never be removed or become impossible to read.  Every month, HomeAgain reunites 10,000 pets with the people that love them.

Daniel Webster Animal Hospital uses and recommends HomeAgain microchips because of their unique membership benefits including their 24/7 Emergency Medical Hotline and their Lost Pet Specialists.

Learn more at www.homeagain.com.

Be prepared for your pet! Who would have predicted events in New Hampshire like Hurricane Irene and the Halloween snowstorm of 2011? As NH evacuation shelters start to accept pets, prepare a  “PET GO KIT” for your four-legged family member!  Ideally your “PET GO KIT” should be stored in a backpack in a closet by the door, so you will be able to grab it and go. Your kit should have:

                Rabies vaccination certificate

                Current photos of your pet

                Medications

                3 day supply of food

                Special blanket or toy

                Leash and collar for dogs

                Carrier for cats or small dogs

                Litter box and litter

                Bowls

For more information on disaster planning, go to www.newhampshiredart.org

So you’ve added a new member to your family – congratulations!   Now what??

The avenues by which pets enter our lives are as varied as the sizes, breeds and colors in which they arrive at our homes. They can be strays or shelter adoptees, or “inherited” from a family member or friend, or even found on Craig’s list or an ad in the newspaper.

We are here to help you ensure the health and wellbeing of your new friend.  We recommend an initial “meet and greet” examination to assess each individual pet’s  health and talk with you about any questions you may have regarding nutrition, parasites,  exercise, training, behavior, or preventive care.  Even for those pets originating from the shelter that have had preliminary screenings and core vaccinations, it may be appropriate to consider other lifestyle appropriate vaccinations.  Each pet is assessed in many parameters including age, breed, and activity; we feel that there are no cookie cutter protocols that fit all pets.  We need to meet them (and YOU) and decide, with you, how to best ensure that your new friend can enjoy many happy and healthy years as a member of your family.