Seaford Animal Hospital

Information may not be reliable

Featured Article

HOW TO CONTROL AND PREVENT FLEAS ON YOUR DOG Dr. Doug Brum General Practice Preventative Medicine UNDERSTANDING THE FLEA For millions of pets and people, the tiny flea is a remorseless enemy. The flea is a small, brown, wingless insect that uses specialized mouthparts to pierce the skin and siphon blood. When a flea bites your dog, it injects a small amount of saliva into the skin to prevent blood coagulation.

What is Leptospirosis? Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can be found in most animals, including livestock (cattle, pigs, sheep) and wildlife (deer, raccoons, opossums, skunks, rats and other rodents). The bacteria are passed via the urine into water sources, where they reside and reproduce. Is this a Problem Where I Live? Leptospirosis is prevalent in rural, suburban and urbanized areas. The bacteria can be present in any stagnant surface water, moist soil and recreational water sources such as ponds and lakes. Additionally, natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes present an increased risk of exposure to this disease. Can My Dog Get Leptospirosis? *Your dog can become infected with leptospirosis by drinking, swimming in or walking through cantaminated water. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream through a cut in the skin or through mucous membranes (such as eyes, nose, mouth). *Leptospirosis is a contagious disease and can be transmitted from dog to dog. In urban areas, infected dogs can transmit the disease to otherwise-low-risk dogs. *Exposure risk increases during the summer and early fall months, and other periods of high rainfall. Can Cats Catch This Disease? Although cats are potentially at risk for leptospirosis, they appear to have natural resistance. For this reason, cats are not vaccinated for leptospirosis. Can People Get Leptospirosis? *Yes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that up to 200 human cases of leptospirosis a year are identified in the United States. *While the disease is rarely fatal in humans, it can cause severe illness. *You may reduce disease risk by complying with the following preventative measures: 1. Vaccinate your dog and livestock. 2. Avoid water that might be contaminated with the bacteria, especially water that is stagnant. 3. Practice good sanitation, including washing your and your children's hands-especially when handling anything that might have your dog's urine on it. 4. If your occupation or lifestyle involves routine exposure to wildlife or standing water, wear protective clothing to avoid exposure. What Are the Signs of Leptospirosis in Dogs? Look for the following signs that could indicate your dog has been infected with leptospirosis: *Flu-like symptoms are most common, including Fever Loss of Appetite Vomiting Diarrhea Dehydration Weakness Depression Lethargy *Jaundice, marked by a yellow cast in the gums of the mouth and whites of the eyes. In the most severe cases, the disease can lead to kidney failure or liver failure and may be fatal. How Is Leptospirosis Diagnosed and Treated? *Your veterinarian is the best person to diagnose and treat leptospirosis because leptospirosis can look like many other diseases. It is a challenge to diagnose quickly and may require numerous blood and urine tests. The diagnostic process can be frustrating and costly. *To effectively treat leptospirosis, your veterinarian may recommend a combination of intravenous fluids and antibiotics, as well as other aggressive therapies. How Can I Protect My Dog from Leptospirosis? *Remember ....Protection = Prevention! To protect your dog from this potentially fatal disease, vaccination is key. By vaccination your dog before exposure to the disease, you may avoid the emotional and financial trauma of dealing with this disease. *Vaccines are affordable, convenient and safe. Talk to your veterinarian about which vaccine is best and how to incorporate it into your dog's routine vaccination program. Do Vaccines Prevent the Most Common Canine Leptospira? *The most complete lepto protection is with vaccines containing the four most common strains of leptospira bacteria diagnosed today. *Cornell University recently reported that the vast majority of lepto cases they diagnosed in dogs were caused by two strains. *Vaccination of lepto is routinely administered to dogs in combination with other common canine vaccines. *Your veterinarian will initially recommend a two-shot series. (Pfizer Animal Health) News and Announcements

SALISBURY ANIMAL HOSPITAL is a full-service veterinary medical facility, located in SALISBURY, MD . The professional and courteous staff at SALISBURY ANIMAL HOSPITAL seeks to provide the best possible medical care, surgical care and dental care for their highly-valued patients. We are committed to promoting responsible pet ownership, preventative health care and health-related educational opportunities for our clients. SALISBURY ANIMAL HOSPITAL strives to offer excellence in veterinary care to SALISBURY, MD and surrounding areas with over 50 years of veterinary care experience. We are proud to say that we are the only AAHA acredited veterinary pratice in Salisbury, MD. Please take a moment to contact us today, to learn more about our veterinary practice and to find out more information about how SALISBURY ANIMAL HOSPITAL can serve the needs of you and your cherished pet.