According to a veterinarian, a bacterial disease has reportedly been sickening dogs in Colorado, which could spread to humans as well.
Chief Emergency Doctor at Colorado Veterinary Specialist & Animal ER in Littleton Dr. Laura Russell told KMGH-TV that the medical center has treated at least six dogs for a bacterial infection called leptospirosis this year.
According to PetMD.com, “Leptospirosis is an infection of bacterial spirochetes, which dogs acquire when subspecies of the Leptospira interrogans penetrate the skin and spread through the body by way of the bloodstream.”
The website adds, “Two of the most commonly seen members of this subspecies are the L. grippotyphosa and L. Pomona bacteria. Spirochetes are spiral, or corkscrew-shaped bacteria that infiltrate the system by burrowing into the skin.”
Explaining the signs and symptoms of the infection, Dr. Russell said that increased thirst is one of the first signs of leptospirosis in dogs.
“One of the first symptoms of leptospirosis is that they’re drinking a ton of water, and then they go out and urinate, and sometimes they have urinary accidents because they’re drinking so much water,” she said.
She also said that a dog’s white eyes will turn yellow when the infection progresses. Other symptoms in dogs include fever, chills, sore muscles, generalized weakness, vomiting, loss of appetite, and runny nose.
Leptospirosis can spread to humans as well through close contact with the body fluids, excluding saliva, and urine from infected animals or pets. It can also spread through contact with contaminated food, water, or soil.
The CDC says, “The bacteria can enter the body through the skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch. Drinking contaminated water can also cause infection.”
The signs and symptoms of leptospirosis in humans include high fever, chills, headaches, jaundice, vomiting, muscle pain, abdominal pain, among others. If left untreated, it could lead to liver and kidney failure or meningitis.
Doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat leptospirosis in animals as well as humans. There is a leptospirosis vaccine available for dogs. Dr. Russell said, “I’ve seen some pretty terrifying leptospirosis cases this year. I’m vaccinating my dogs this year for it.”
