The Collaroy Plateau Veterinary Hospital has issued an urgent alert after a dog was killed by leptospirosis, a highly contagious bacterial disease carried and spread by rats.
After a dog contracted leptospirosis in the peninsula in early June 2021, veterinarians are urging pet owners all across the country to get their dogs vaccinated against the bacterial disease after a dog died at a specialist centre.
The canine patient, who passed away from complications brought about by leptospirosis, frequented areas such as Narrabeen and Elanora Heights. This particular case was marked as the first local case of the disease in a dog in the Northern Beaches area.
Leptospirosis typically spreads through contaminated water from the urine of infected animals, most commonly rats, however, it is a disease that can be caught by a wide range of animals including humans. In the case of dogs, they are capable of transmitting the disease to one another through biting or coming into contact with their urine. Most dogs catch the disease from drinking stagnant water.
Symptoms of the disease include fevers, severe headaches, sore muscles, chills,diarrhoea, vomiting, redness in eyes, and it can even lead to kidney failure, jaundice, respiratory issues and in some cases, death.
To keep dogs safe from leptospirosis, veterinarians have recommended that dog owners take extra care when taking their canine companions out for walks, with extra measures such as emptying out water bowls in parks before filling them with their own fresh water. They also recommend that they get their dogs vaccinated, however, the vaccination for this particular disease can only be given to puppies older than six weeks old.
The Collaroy Plateau Veterinary Hospital can be found at 24A Aubreen St, Collaroy Plateau. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their Facebook page for the latest updates and announcements concerning the disease and other outbreaks to keep canines safe and healthy.
