Leptospirosis In Dogs
Excerpt : Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can affect a dog's blood, liver, and kidneys. The bacteria that cause the illness are carried primarily by rats and other rodents, but dogs that are
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can affect a dog's blood, liver, and kidneys. The bacteria that cause the illness are carried primarily by rats and other rodents, but dogs that are infected with the disease can infect other dogs as well. Ingestion of the urine of an infected animal is the most common means of transmission, but the bacteria can be contracted through damaged or thin skin as well.
Leptospirosis is an odd disease that can often show no signs or symptoms at all. In these cases the bacteria are
Buy this Poster at AllPosters.com
eventually defeated by the dog's natural defenses. Other times, and more often, however, the disease can be life threatening to the infected dog. The three main forms of the disease are hemorrhagic (infection in the blood, causing bleeding), renal (infecting the kidneys), and icteric (infecting the liver).
Hemorrhagic Leptospirosis tends to start with a high fever, loss of appetite, and general lethargy. Small hemorrhages start to occur in the mouth and eyes and the dog may develop extreme bloody vomiting and diarrhea.
Buy this Pre-Matted Print at AllPosters.com
This form of the disease is often fatal.
Icteric Leptospirosis will often start the same way as the hemorrhagic form; with fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. The mouth and whites of the eyes will take on a yellow appearance, similar to victims of jaundice. In some cases the dog's skin may also appear yellow and jaundiced.
Renal Leptospirosis also starts with fever, appetite loss, and lethargic depression, but eventually leads to kidney failure.
All three forms of the disease are treatable and curable and
Buy this Photographic Print at AllPosters.com
Also see :
Why dogs bark
Picture this, you're walking in the park, minding your own business when suddenly a dog comes up to you and starts barking. You start to...read more
Seven Games Dogs Just Love To Play
Have you ever wonder why some dogs seem to be so happy and playful even up to their twilight years? The answer is not far from reach. If your dog is...read more
|
all three forms can be potentially fatal. Often dogs that survive renal Leptospirosis will have chronic kidney disease for the rest of their lives.
Treatment is accomplished with the use of antibiotics and, if the disease is caught early enough, is generally successful. Cases of Leptospirosis in North America are fairly rare, thanks to the development of a vaccine. Puppies are inoculated for the disease as early as six weeks of age and receive annual renewal shots to maintain their immunity.
Vaccination and clean,
Buy this Poster at AllPosters.com
hygienic conditions are the best way to avoid Leptospirosis in dogs. If the animal is not able to come into contact with disease carrying rats and their urine, the dog is unlikely to become infected, even if unvaccinated. The leptospirosis vaccine is the most likely of all dog vaccinations to cause an adverse reaction in the dog. This reaction is generally mild and most often includes lethargy, loss of appetite, and depression. These effects last only a few days and afterward the dog is fine and, more importantly,
Buy this Photographic Print at AllPosters.com
Also see :
Toy Dogs
No, you don't wind them up and they don't take batteries
"Toy" dogs are becoming more popular all the time. These little dogs, the result of...read more
Dog Training: How To Understand Your Dog's Mood
Make you puppy training easier and more fun by understanding that your puppy is trying to communicate with you in other ways than barking...read more
|
protected from the disease.
Leptospirosis is one of the nastier diseases a dog can get and no one wants to see his or her pet suffer with this illness. Fortunately, thanks to the existence of a good vaccine, few dogs have to endure this life threatening illness in today's day and age.
About the Author
Kirsten Hawkins is a dog lover and animal expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.doghealth411.com/ for more information on dog health, the care of dogs, and dog travel.
More Dogs Articles
First Aid For Dogs
If your dog is badly hurt in your home or while out and about with you, you should know how to administer first aid until you can reach a...
Click And Treat Training For Dogs
The first major improvement in dog training since choke chains
and spiked collars, click and treat has quickly establishing
itself in becoming a...
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
For Dog Lovers Like You and Me
|
sitemap
Partners :
Package Holidays | Insurance Quotes | Watch Anime | Manga | Home Insurance
copyright www.knowaboutdogs.com 2006
|
Recently Added Dogs Articles
Can Cat Lovers Ever Love Dogs?
People often define themselves as either a cat lover or a dog
lover, but the question remains can a cat lover ever love dogs?
Or, dog lovers ever...read more
Senior Dogs Benefit from In-Home Pet Sitters
Do you have to rely on friends or family when you travel or work
long hours? Senior dogs often need special attention. Routines
are very important...read more
Dogs From Animal Shelters
from David the Dogman
The ten worst excuses not to spay or neuter a pet are:
Just one litter and then we'll have Fluffy...read more
What's In A Dog's Name: 5 Tips For Finding The Right Name For Your Best Friend
Your choice of pet name is important. Here are some things to think about before naming your pet.
Your dog's name says as much about...read more
Nu-Way vs. Varsity Hot Dogs!
Have y’all been keeping up with what’s going on at the movies lately? One of the biggest surprises over the past couple of years has been the...read more
.gif)
Rescue Dogs
We have all grown up with at least one hero in our life, but how many people can call their hero Duke or Spot? The answer- anyone who has had their...read more
Allergies in Dogs
Does your dog have allergies? It is interesting how dogs experience many of the health issues that humans do, including allergies.
Dog allergies...read more
Housebreaking Dogs And Puppies - A Step By Step Guide To Potty Training Your Dog Or Puppy
If you're reading this I think it's safe to assume that you either currently own, or are about to buy, a dog or puppy and don't want to come home to...read more
How to control flea infestation on dogs
If you were asked if your dog is healthy and happy, how would you respond? A dog can’t speak for himself and relies on you to be his eyes and ears...read more
Lyme Disease in Dogs
It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme disease in your own dog. The first sign of lyme disease in humans is a rash, well; animals do not...read more
Some News About Dogs
|
