The folks at Hartrick Veterinary Hospital are spreading the word that there is an outbreak in Oakland of a bacterial disease called Leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects many species including dogs, cattle, deer, raccoons, rodents and humans. There are several varieties of Leptospirosis the gryppotyphosa and pomona varieties have been found in the current outbreak. Fortunately there is a treatment if your dog gets infected. However, it is costly, requires a lengthy hospital stay and is not always successful.
Prevention is much better than treatment.
There is a brand new vaccine that immunizes against the two varieties of Leptospirosis that are currently the most dangerous in this area vaccines about three weeks apart to build good immunity. Animals carrying the bacteria should be isolated. Infected animals shed the bacteria primarily in their urine. The bacteria can survive in water and soil for extended periods of time. Symptoms of Lepto include lethargy, depression, fever, anorexia and vomiting.