Leptospirosis took animal hospitals by a storm this summer. In the past three weeks, a vet in West Los Angeles saw triple the number of cases they have seen in 40 years.
This disease is bacterial and can lead to kidney failure and death in animals. Leptospirosis has been around for years but only began to spike in cases recently. The most severe cases are seen in dogs younger than 6 months old. Symptoms show 4-12 days after exposure.
A Los Angeles resident, Daniel Mastracco, speaks of the effects this deadly disease had on his dog, “He wouldn’t eat or drink anything,” Mastracco said. “That's when I got really concerned.”
Dr. Alan Schulman spoke on behalf of the large number of cases, ranging from 50-100, saying “It's truly an epidemic.”
Early detection of the disease could save a dog's life. If detected early, the disease can be treated using antibiotics, or prevented with a leptospirosis vaccine.
Dogs contract this disease from contaminated water or urine of rats. Schulman goes on to say, "They urinate places, they defecate places, dogs get it from them. The other way it does get transmitted is directly through human urine." Furthermore, dogs can also pass it on to each other, as one outbreak resulted from a boarding facility in Santa Monica.
To prevent dogs from contracting this disease, owners should keep their pets away from all types of urine, contaminated water, and garbage.
Additionally, an increase in homeless encampments is also a possible reason for the recent spike. "In those encampments we are seeing a phenomenal growth in the rodent population," Schulman said.
In conclusion, dog owners of West LA are advised to get their dog vaccinated, especially if their pets frequently attend day care centers or dog parks.
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