Bonn. The leptospirosis is a globally occurring disease that is most often transferred to the dog via the urine of infected small rodents. A special source of danger are puddles, standing or slowly flowing water.
Since contact cannot be prevented, the preventive vaccination protection against the leptospirosis is of particular importance. This not only serves to protect the animal, but also of humans. Because the leptospirosis is zoonose, that is, people can also infect and get it from infected animals.
The leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by so -called leptospires, which can be transmitted by different animal species. Infedized small rodents are particularly relevant, through whose urine the bacteria get into the environment. Dogs can also be infected with the pathogen by eating rodents. Diseases can occur in every season, but according to studies, the most common in late summer and autumn occur.
Danger from the pool
The bacteria feel particularly comfortable in the water, mainly in slowly flowing waters, pools or puddles. In warm temperatures, the leptospires can remain infectious for weeks and months. Swimming in open waters can also be infected. During walks on warm days, these are exactly the places where dogs like to refresh themselves. This is hard to prevent, the risk of infection is correspondingly high. Indirect transmission is also possible via contaminated earth, feed and sleeping points.
The leptospirosis occurs in dogs of all ages, breed or gender. The course forms range from subclinical to mild to heavy and life -threatening. Subclinically infected dogs do not develop illness symptoms, but excrete the leptospires in the urine. 1.5 percent of healthy dogs are carriers of leptospires, and thus involved in the distribution.
Inner organs are at risk
After infection over the nasal throat or the skin, the bacteria get into the bloodstream and with the blood into the liver, kidneys, spleen, central nervous system, eyes and gender organs. There they multiply quickly, although more or less severe organ damage can occur. The kidneys are most often affected, followed by the liver. In certain regions, including Switzerland, but also North and East Germany, heavy, often fatal lung bleeding occur frequently.
Acute disease symptoms are shown about five to seven days after the infection. The first symptoms are mostly unspecific signs such as loss of appetite, vomiting and apathy. In the worst case, sick dogs can die from the infection.
Vaccination protects
The therapy after the outbreak of the disease is often difficult. An antibiotic treatment after diagnosis by the vet is definitely necessary. Many patients need intensive care care to treat organ failure. Due to the serious diseases of the dog and the risk of infection for humans, leptospirosis vaccination is one of the most important vaccinations (Core vaccination) According to the vaccination lines of the constant Veterinary Medicine vaccination commission (STIKO VET). Each dog should be protected against the leptospirosis regardless of the keeping conditions and age. The basic immunization usually takes place in the eighth and twelfth week of life. Annual repetitions are then required to maintain protection.
Vaccination not only protects the dog, but indirectly also people, because the leptospirosis can also be transmitted to humans as zoonose by unvaccinated and infected dogs. In the case of over a third of the leptospirosis cases occurring in Germany, direct and close contact with animals can be proven.
Federal Association for Animal Health (BFT)