Vet urges Islanders to monitor their dogs for leptospirosis

Veterinarians areasking dog ownersto monitor their pets after an emergency animal clinic in Nova Scotia saysit's been "overrun" by a recent outbreak of leptospirosis.

Earlier this month, aHalifax woman's therapy dog unexpectedlyfell illafter coming into contact with theinfectious bacteriathe dog's kidneys began to fail soon after, forcing the woman to say goodbye to her companion.

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Dr. Peter Foley, small animal medicine specialist at the Atlantic Veterinary College, says there are no reported cases of leptospirosison the Island but people should know about the disease and how to spot it.

"Some dogs can have no clinical signs at all, they have no symptoms, other ones can become very seriously ill in a short period of time," Foley told CBC News' Compass.

How to spot it

One sign in spotting the disease, he said, iswhen a dog begins dismissing its food.

"Dogs like eating so much so when they stop eating it's a real sign that something is seriously wrong in the dog," he said.

Foley also urged people to look specificallyfor their dog showing apoor appetite, a lack of energy or even vomiting.

If you've noticed your dog is ignoring their food and is displaying a lack of energy, it's time to visit the vet for the assessment, Foley added.

Vaccines are also available for dogs that don't yet have the disease.

"If you're in an area where it's not very prevalent, you really have to have a discussion with your vet about the risks and benefits about giving the vaccine," he said.

"It covers a lot of different strains of leptospirosis, like all vaccines it's not 100 per cent effective."

Where it comes from

Foley said the disease isoften carried in wild animals like rats, whospreadthe bacteria around in their urine.

If a dog comes in contact with the urine, whether it's in standing water or grass,it could catch it that way.

The disease can even spread to humans as well, Foley added, so people should be watching out for flu-like symptoms in themselves.

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