Case numbers of a deadly disease which can kill dogs and their owners have exploded in Australia, with a grim warning it may get even worse within weeks.
Vets have revealed incidents of leptospirosis – which thrives in the wet – have surged 250 per cent rise from February to September as floods ravaged the east coast.
The bacterial disease affects both humans and animals, and spreads through the urine of infected animals like rats and in contaminated water.
Dogs can develop potentially fatal kidney failure and jaundice if they catch the disease, according to vet Dr Betty Chan.
In humans, it can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death.
Case numbers of a deadly disease which can kill dogs and their owners have exploded in Australia, with a grim warning it may get even worse within weeks
‘The signs of leptospirosis in dogs vary but generally they may include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, depression, weakness or a reluctance to move,’ said Dr Chan.
Now there are warnings that those in flood-affected areas are at greater risk – and the continuing wet weather could expose more dogs and people.
‘The more water you have around, the more wet the environment, the more likely the disease is to survive and the higher likelihood of leptospirosis exposure,’ said University of Queensland Associate Professor Rowland Cobbold.
There has been an dramatic rise in cases across NSW in recent years, according to University of Sydney senior lecturer in vetinary science, Dr Christine Griebsch.
‘It started in the City of Sydney, there was then more of a spread to other areas of Sydney and outside, this year has seen a surge of cases on the south coast and also in Newcastle,’ Dr Griebsch said.
‘There were no recorded cases in dogs since 1976, then one case in 2017, two in 2018, and now there’s been 60 cases in the past two years.’
The south coast is of particular concern with over half of the cases of dogs being reported in that area.
Dr Griebsch said La Nina is likely to be contributing to the rise in case numbers.
In humans, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death
‘The highest risk is when it’s really, really wet, as it survives in environments that are moist like soil and water puddles,’ she said.
PetSure insurance figures reveal the highest number of claims was in August, which coincided with rainfall which was 34 per cent above average.
Treatment of the disease can also be crippling, costing $4330 on average but can run as high as $18,482 in some cases according to PetSure.
Owners who live in high-risk areas like the south coast and Newcastle are urged to get their dogs vaccinated, but that may not be enough, warns Professor Cobbold.
‘The main problem with the vaccine is it’s not 100 per cent effective, there are about 200 strains of leptospirosis and the vaccine only covers two, most of the time dogs don’t get those two strains,’ he said.
‘Vaccines will help protect dogs but unfortunately they aren’t completely effective.’
The bacterial disease affects both humans and animals, and spreads through the urine of infected animals like rats and in contaminated water
Dr Griebsch recommends dog owners stay vigilant with their pets to avoid them getting sick.
‘Most important risk mitigation strategy is to avoid contact with stagnant water like ponds and water puddles,’ she said.
‘If there’s an area where there have been cases I would also maybe avoid doggie daycare.
‘I also get a little bit twitchy when I see these doggie water bowls outside of cafes and such, I wonder whether they’ve been left out overnight and whether rats have had access to them.
‘I would be very careful to let my dog drink out of these communal water bowls.’
