31/05/2021
🐀 Leptospirosis vaccine now available 🐀
Due to increasing rodent 🐁 levels in the Hawkesbury, and stagnant water still laying around from the floods, there is a real risk of leptospirosis becoming an issue in our area. Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that can cause acute kidney and liver failure in dogs. This disease claimed the lives of several dogs in the Surry Hills and inner city areas last year.
For this reason, I have decided to now offer and recommend the C2i Leptospirosis vaccination for dogs. I’ve ordered a batch of these vaccines and they should arrive today. The C2i can be given as an individual vaccine so you don’t need to double up on anything they are already vaccinated for. Alternatively it can be added onto your dogs annual C3 or C5 vaccination.
If you have any questions about your dog’s vaccination status or need any further information on leptospirosis please just send me a message.
The SASH link I’ve shared below ⬇️ also has some useful information on it.
Have a great week everyone and please reach out via messenger if I can help 🐾🐾
(Please if you could also like and share this post so that the Facebook algorithms disseminate this information out to where it’s needed most that would be appreciated). 🙏🏻
*** Leptospirosis Alert ***
Sydney University is closely monitoring cases of leptospirosis in NSW using a collaborative approach with veterinarians in private practice. This month we’ve seen a dog and its caretaker testing positive to the disease in Greater Sydney. Although a rare condition in Australia, rodents are the most common carrier of the disease; and in the past most cases have been reported in regional areas. However, in recent years, Leptospirosis has claimed the lives of dogs in metropolitan areas such as Sydney and Melbourne, and in inner-city locations like Glebe and Redfern.
Leptospirosis is a disease that can affect both humans and animals. It can spread from animals to humans, but human-to-human transmission occurs only very rarely; it is caused by bacteria found in infected animal’s urine, blood or tissue.
So, how can you protect your pet and family?
Let’s break it down:
Is there a vaccine for Leptospirosis?
Yes, the Vaccination is called C2i – please contact your regular vet for more details
Can humans get Leptospirosis?
YES. This is why it is imperative to avoid exposure to wild rodents, or to have your dog vaccinated if they routinely encounter wild rodents.
What are the symptoms of Leptospirosis in dogs?
Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Shivering, Lethargy, Sore Eyes, Bleeding, Increased Urination, increases thirst, breathing issues.
How do pets get Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is spread via exposure to urine and tissue of infected animals - usually rodents, production animals or wildlife, and contaminated water sources and soil.
Does Leptospirosis affect cats?
It is rare for cats to show clinical signs from leptospirosis, but there is some evidence that they can become infected.
If you are concerned that your pet is showing symptoms of Leptospirosis, please seek urgent veterinary attention.
** Please note: The pup in the photo below is not infected; it is simply a lovely photo of one of our patients with one of our nurses 🧡✨
