By Dr. Abigail
Swimming in natural bodies of water can be a fun activity for dogs, but it's important for pet owners to be aware of potential health risks.
Leptospirosis (lepto) is a bacterial infection that dogs can contract from contaminated water, especially stagnant or slow-moving bodies of water. The bacteria are spread through the urine of infected animals and can cause symptoms such as fever, lethargy, kidney and liver failure. Leptospirosis can be severe and even deadly.
Treatment can be intensive and expensive, often including high doses of antibiotics, IV fluids, and extended hospital stays for your pet. If your dog does survive, they may also become carriers, shedding bacteria that live in their kidneys when they urinate and further spreading the disease.
Vaccination is a crucial first step in protecting your dog from severe infection or from becoming a carrier. Initial vaccination requires two injections administered three weeks apart. After the initial vaccination, the lepto vaccine should be bolstered once a year at your dog’s annual wellness appointment.
As a pet owner, you play a crucial role in preventing leptospirosis. It's important to avoid letting your pet drink from or swim in potentially contaminated water. Keep a close watch on your dog while they are near water, and always provide fresh, clean water during outings to prevent them from drinking from potentially contaminated sources!
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