Dog disease worries vets - Vashon Beachcomber

Dec 21 2005
Dog disease worries vets

By Rik Forschmiedt
Veterinarian Nell Coffman of Fair Isle Animal clinic says that veterinarians on Vashon-Maury Island have been seeing an unusual cluster of Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread by contaminated water, in dogs .
Coffman said the earliest signs of the disease are muscle aches followed by loss of appetite, vomiting and red, inflamed eyes.
The dogs on Vashon were infected by water contaminated with the urine of raccoons and rodents that were carriers of the bacteria. Humans can get this disease from exposure to the urine of an infected animal or urine-contaminated water. Most dog cases are not associated with human cases.
Preventive measures include not feeding or attracting raccoons or rodents with compost piles, bird feeders, cat food or garbage containers.
Veterinarian Don Wolczko said Fair Isle has seen eight dogs with the disease in the past two weeks. All but two recovered. Treatment includes intravenous fluids and ampicillin or penicillin, said Wolczko. Early treatment is extremely important.
The cases treated at Fair Isle came from multiple areas including Maury, the southwest part of the Island and north of downtown.
Jane Koehler, King County Health Department veterinarian, said the Puget Sound area in general has seen an increase in Leptospirosis in the past year. For more information contact a veterinarian or Koehler at 296-4880.