LEPTO (leptospirosis) ALERT DC/Virginia Region

[Tricia2]

There has been a confirmed case of Lepto in the Washington DC/Virginia area in a 6 month old Newf puppy. The pup is in acute kidney failure in the ICU at this time but vets are cautiously optimistic for a recovery, although she's still very ill and not out of the woods yet. The pup had been vaccinated prior to contracting the lepto but it's uncertain if she encountered another strain or did not have sufficient immunity established at the time of exposure.

In addition, both the owner and the pup's dog walker have tested positive and are being treated.

Some info on lepto here:
http://www.2ndchance.info/leptospirosis.htm

The breeder and owner are asking for some good energy, thoughts and prayers for a full recovery for this little girl pup.

 

[Cascadians]

Thank you Tricia. Read the excellent article. Prayers for pup and family.

This is a concern to me. My Newf Orka is in water almost every day, river lake slough ocean. Used to have heavy rainfall here. Also he is around sea lions frequently. My area is full of mice and rats, beaver and nutria, raccoons and possums because it is a watershed. He is on a no-vax order for auto immune precautions (vitiligo) but his vet and I have discussed the lepto vaccine. He did have it as a puppy. His vet said in his case not to vaccinate, because the strains are so numerous it is not likely to hit just the one he might get. But there are several bad things a dog can pick up in rivers, mud or the great outdoors so we have to watch him very carefully. When he seems "off" at all we take him to the vet, in fact just did with full blood workup and he's fine, normal. But it remains a concern and vigilance is required. Thanks for the link.

Having him pee on dry concrete every day might be a good idea, to see if urine looks normal. Will add to daily checks.