URGENT WARNING OVER DEADLY DOG DISEASE THAT’S SPREADING ACROSS AUSTRALIA AMID A SHORTAGE OF THE VACCINE THAT STOPS YOUR PET FROM GETTING IT

Dog owners are being warned about rising cases of leptospirosis as Australia faces a nationwide vaccine shortage to fight the deadly disease.

Cases of Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection transmitted via rat urine and faeces that is potentially fatal to humans, have been detected in NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory in recent months.

Leptospirosis can kill pets in just 48 hours. It causes organ failure, swelling of the brain and haemorrhages.

Dog owners are being urged to contact their local veterinarian to check if they’re in a leptospirosis ‘hotspot’ and to have their pets vaccinated.

Owners should also check their pets for symptoms which include lethargy, vomiting, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and jaundiced or yellow gums.

The warning comes amid a shortage of the Protech C2i vaccine which protects dogs from the virus.

Daniel Watkins, Head of Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim Australia & New Zealand said the supply issues were due to ‘specific circumstances at our overseas manufacturing site, including staff capacity issues and distribution challenges’.

‘Our Veterinary Medical Services Team has been working closely with veterinarians to help them prioritise available doses for animals most at risk.’

Mr Watkins said vaccine stock would be replenished around the middle of November and that the focus was on raising awareness about the lethal disease.

‘Raising awareness about leptospirosis with veterinarians and veterinary nurses is very important to us. We continue to provide professional education and support ongoing research into leptospirosis with the University of Sydney.’

Dogs require two doses given two to four weeks apart followed by a booster every year afterwards.

Dr Christine Griebsch, Senior Lecturer, Small Animal Medicine from University of Sydney said ‘risk mitigation methods’ were vital to prevent leptospirosis infections.

‘The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are passed in the urine of infected animals, particularly from rodents, so limiting contact with urine or areas contaminated with urine is important.’

‘This includes limiting contact with, swimming in and drinking out of stagnant water and avoiding contact with possible reservoir hosts such as rodents and farm animals, which can be achieved by fencing and rodent control,’ she said.

Leptospirosis fact sheet

What is leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease of humans and animals. It is caused by Leptospira bacteria that are found in infected animal urine and animal tissues.

Leptospirosis in humans

Humans can experience sudden onset of fever, headache, calf tenderness, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, lethargy, arthralgia, eye pain, photophobia and rashes.

How to get diagnosed

Leptospirosis is sometimes misdiagnosed because symptoms can be non-specific and overlap with many other causes of illnesses.

A doctor can diagnose leptospiriosis through a blood test. Usually, two blood tests taken more than two weeks apart are required to make the diagnosis.

Treatment in humans

Leptospirosis is commonly treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline or penicillin.

Leptospirosis in dogs

Dogs will typically come into contact with the leptospira bacteria in infected water, soil, or mud, while swimming, passing through, or drinking contaminated water

Hunting and sporting dogs, dogs that live near wooded areas, and dogs that live on or near farms are at an increased risk of acquiring the bacteria.

Also at increased risk are dogs that have spent time in a kennel.

How to protect your dog from contracting leptospirosis

Don’t let your dog drink from standing water or swim in bodies of water that may be contaminated.

There is a vaccine available that can help protect your dog from leptospirosis, although vets openly admit it doesn’t always work

Talk to your veterinarian about whether it might be right for your pet.

Source: NSW Health, PetMed, AJGP and VetStreet