Source: Tufts Now
Emmanuelle Butty, an assistant clinical professor at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, emphasizes the importance of preventing leptospirosis in dogs, a bacterial infection that can lead to kidney failure and death. Leptospirosis spreads through contaminated soil and water, primarily carried by rodents and wildlife. Dogs contract it by drinking from puddles or lakes. Humans are at risk during natural disasters dispersing contaminated water.
Symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, and jaundice. While antibiotics can treat many cases, severe complications may require dialysis. Butty’s study showed dialysis saved 16 out of 22 dogs with kidney failure from leptospirosis. Vaccination is crucial for prevention, with timely boosters recommended. Butty urges owners to prioritize vaccination, as it significantly reduces the risk of severe cases. She highlights the importance of pet insurance for potential dialysis needs, emphasizing the long-term health implications for dogs surviving leptospirosis.
Read the full story HERE: https://now.tufts.edu/2024/04/25/what-dog-owners-should-know-about-leptospirosis