Lepto Watch

While the recent cases of leptospirosis in military dogs and their handlers in San Antonio garnered headlines due to the unusual circumstances involved, it does appear that the disease is on the increase around the United States. Experts have differing opinions on the cause for the increase, but a wetter than average summer and an increase in rodent problems in urban areas are definitely factors, according to researchers.

In addition to the cases in Texas, numerous occurrences of the disease have been reported across the country, in Illinois, Kansas, California, New York, Colorado and Massachusetts. The disease tends to be most prevalent in the spring, summer and early fall when warm, wet weather conditions promote the growth of the bacteria.

According to Kansas State University veterinarian and infectious disease specialist Dr. Kenneth Harkin, "Lepto is everywhere" and "is a nationally relevant disease." While there are cases in which pets do not show symptoms of the disease, common clinical signs reported in dogs include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, refusal to eat, severe weakness and depression, stiffness, severe muscle pain, or inability to have puppies. Harkin says that the vast majority of dogs have a sudden onset of vomiting, which may be proceeded by muscle or joint pain or stiffness. His advice to veterinarians is that if a dog presents with acute renal failure, "really think of leptospirosis."

There are a number of sites on the Internet that veterinarians can visit for more information on leptospirosis, including diagnosis and prevention of the disease:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol10no3/03-0431.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g_pet.htm

http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/zoonosis/diseases/Leptospirosis/

http://www.dvmvac.org/vetwatch.htm