Treatments for leptospirosis in dogs
It is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium and that can be quite serious for the health of our pet. In the following article we inform you about leptospirosis in dogs and how to treat it.
What is leptospirosis in dogs
First of all it is important to know about this disease. It is caused by a bacterium of the genus Leptospira and the main mode of transmission is through urine. It can also be found in contaminated or stagnant water and even from an animal to a another if the patient urinates on the lawn and the healthy sniffs, licks or eats those herbs.
This microorganism first infects mucous membranes or skin wounds, then passes into the blood and, after 10 days , affects the renal epithelium and liver parenchyma.
Pets that live near wild or vegetated areas are more likely to suffer from leptospirosis, or in cities where rats and the mice are an epidemic . It is also necessary to know that the disease is more common in males than in females, since they snoop the soil to mark territory and urinate in different places during a walk.
Leptospirosis can be found everywhere in the body. world, although it is more common in those countries or areas with tropical climate. This is because humid and warm environments favor the development of bacteria. Therefore, it is also more common in summer than in winter.
The main forms of infection are through contact with urine from an infected animal, placentally (a pregnant female to her puppies), contaminated meat or stagnant water intake and contact or bites from an infected rodent.
You must bear in mind that the Leptospirosis can be transmitted to humans. Therefore, we recommend not having direct contact with the body fluids of the dog, especially if the disease has been detected.
the disease can develop from the moment of infection, it is known that the dog expels bacteria in its urine from the eighth day.
Sometimes leptospirosis in dogs has no symptoms, so owners do not know that their pet is infected. But once some of the following signs are detected, it is essential to take it to the veterinarian:
- Lack of appetite
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Lack of energy
- Dehydration
- Tremors
- Breathing problems
- Very frequent urine
- Blood in the urine
- Hemorrhagic gastritis
- Muscle aches
- Bleeding gums
Diagnosis and treatment of leptospirosis in dogs
With the first symptoms, take our pet to the veterinarian You can determine your salvation or recovery.Little by little, bacteria will be eliminated through urine.
As prevention measures it is advisable to apply all vaccines to our pets and eliminate rodent populations , since these they are the carriers of leptospirosis. Also, when we take our dog for a walk, we should avoid smelling the urine of others or eating grass in the park.
