Spring’s here! A time for long walks, fresh air, and disease?
What you need to know about Leptospirosis & Lyme Disease in Minnesota
Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease that infects dogs, wildlife, and humans. The disease-causing bacteria is spread through the urine of infected animals. This bacterium thrives in water—so we can never be too careful in the land of 10,000 lakes! With winter melting away and increased flooding the possibility of exposure is increased. Leptospirosis infects by coming into contact with an opening in the skin or mucous membrane (eyes, nose, or mouth). It can cause fever, yellowing of the eyes and gums, kidney failure, abortion, and even death. Luckily, there is a vaccine available. Call for more information and to schedule an appointment!
Lyme disease is spread by the Deer tick to dogs and humans. This tick is smaller than other ticks typically found on dogs. The immature tick, a nymph, can also cause infection and is even smaller than the adult! To make matters worse, ticks are a year-round problem! They merely hibernate in the winter and are active in temperatures above 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms of Lyme disease vary greatly. Some dogs have no signs, others can develop fatal kidney failure. You may notice fever, joint/limb swelling, limping, lethargy, and inappetence in dogs that have contracted the disease. Antibiotics manage the disease, but it lingers in the body and can recur in the future, needing further treatment. Infected dogs can also re-infect themselves from newly exposed ticks carrying the disease. In 2019 we had 117 dogs in our clinic alone positive for Lyme disease! Protect your dog with monthly preventatives and a yearly vaccine. Call today for details and to schedule an appointment!
