What Texas Pet Owners Should Know About Leptospirosis
If you’re a pet parent in Texas, you should know what leptospirosis is, how it affects pets, and what signs to watch for. Leptospirosis infections are, unfortunately, common in hot, humid areas like Texas. Today, the team at Branch Vet will share everything Texas pet owners should know about this waterborne disease.
What is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by a bacterial organism called Leptospira. The organism spreads through water contaminated by the urine of infected animals. All sorts of animals can spread the disease, from livestock and pets to rodents and wildlife.
Your pup or kitty can get infected by drinking, swimming in, or even just walking through water or damp areas contaminated by the organism.
In Texas, the risk goes up during rainy seasons and after floods.
What’s tricky about leptospirosis is that it causes mild or no symptoms in some dogs, and life-threatening complications in others.
Symptoms of Leptospirosis in Dogs
If your dog shows any of the following symptoms, he or she may be infected with leptospirosis:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
- Excessive drinking and urinating
- Weight loss
- Stiffness
You may have noticed that these symptoms are fairly general—they can apply to a whole host of potential diseases. That’s why it’s important to bring your pet to the vet if you notice any of the above signs. The culprit could be leptospirosis, or it could be something else entirely.
Only a diagnosis from a veterinarian can tell you whether or not lepto is at play. Treatment includes antibiotics and supportive care to help your pet’s body clear the infection.
Early diagnosis and treatment are key to giving your pet the best outcome possible. Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to organ damage, and can even be fatal. Leptospirosis is also a zoonotic disease that can spread to humans.
How to Protect Your Pet Against Leptospirosis
The best way to protect your dog from contracting a leptospirosis infection is to make sure she gets the lepto vaccine for dogs. All it takes is one step in a pee-soaked patch of dirt for lepto to enter your household!
So in warm, wet Texas, the pet lepto vaccine is a must. The good news is, the caring team at Branch Vet offers leptospirosis advice and vaccines for pets.
Give us a call today at (830) 885-5443 to prepare your pet to fend off lepto and other preventable diseases.