Bay of Islands Vets have had two confirmed cases of leptospirosis copenhageni in dogs recently, whereas previously we had only had three confirmed cases in about twenty years.

One in three rats is infected with leptospirosis which can be deadly for dogs.

People can get leptospirosis so it is a very serious disease. Headaches, depression, anaemia and kidney damage are symptoms that can affect people for years.

Of the two dogs we saw recently one died and the other “Ella” a beautiful border collie is making an excellent recovery.

When Ella came to us she was yellow! She was so lethargic she could barely manage one wag of her tail.

She was not eating, sore in her abdomen and vomiting. Blood and urine tests revealed kidney and liver damage and we confirmed it was leptospirosis copenhageni. She spent a week in our Kerikeri isolation ward on a drip with antibiotics, pain relief and antiemetics until she was well enough to go home to be nursed by her caring owner.

Leptospirosis in dogs is transmitted in the urine and dogs pick it up from rats. One survey found 1/3 rats were infected with leptospirosis.

Who needs more reasons to get rid of those rats?

The leptospires need water to survive, and can survive in wet soil for up to 6 months. Flooding can be a significant means of spreading infected material.

The bacteria can gain access to a host via eyes, ears, nose or the mouth and require only one minute to infect once contact is made with a susceptible part of a person or dog.

You can vaccinate against leptospirosis in dogs. Two doses 3-4  weeks apart and yearly boosters are all that’s required.

Ask your vet about this and protect your dog and yourself!!

Paihia (09) 402 8584
Kerikeri (09) 407 7354
Kawakawa (09) 404 0842
Waipapa (09) 401 6654
Kaikohe (09) 401 1536