What are the causes and symptoms of Leptospirosis and how it can be treated?
Leptospirosis is a disease that afflicts both animals and man.
Causes and Symptoms:
This infectious disease is caused by organisms of the genus Leptospira. It is not a disease spread by a virus. Transmission of the disease occurs as a result of contact with the excretions of infected animals. Urine is the most important carrier of infection. In dogs the disease is spread through contact of the mouth or nasal mucous membrane with the urine of either an infected dog or rat. It is interesting to know that canine urine can also be a source of the disease in human beings.
Within one to two weeks after the exposure, the disease starts with high fever, listlessness, refusal to eat, vomiting and dark-colored urine. The affected dog is reluctant to walk and when he does, he exhibits pain involving the posterior part of his body. This gives the dog a tucked-up appearance. Palpitation of the abdomen, especially the lumber region, causes the animal to show evidence of pain, as the kidneys get affected. Sometimes jaundice is also noticed. Many times the disease has a sudden onset with severe symptoms; in other cases it may be of a mild, chronic nature with less severe symptoms. Inflammation of the intestines (enteritis) is manifested in diarrhea of varying degrees. Recovery is in direct proportion to the amount of digestive, hepatic and renal damage. Convalescence usually requires about ten days. Examination of blood and urine is very helpful as an aid to clinical diagnosis.
Treatment and Prevention:
Treatment involves the use of antibiotics and fluid therapy by the veterinarian. Vaccination is recommended for prevention of this disease which is becoming increasingly more common.