Now here's a silent killer you may have never heard of.
Sherri noticed her dog wasn't eating, she had yellow eyes and jaundice in her teeth. Leptospirosis, or "lepto" for short, is a rapidly regressive and deadly disease. After her dog was diagnosed with the terrifying disease, Sherri was devastated when her vet told her she'd have to put her down.
South Florida is currently seeing an increase in cases of lepto. It can be hard to diagnosis because of its generalized symptoms — yet the cause is simple and abundant. The disease is typically carried by wildlife such as foxes, raccoons, squirrels, when these animals go to the bathroom close to bodies of water, and then our dogs drink from that water. Symptoms of the disease include yellowish eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble urinating.
Perhaps the scariest part of the disease is that it can be transmitted to people in the exact same way. According to the Orlando Sentinel, "Humans can be infected through cuts in their skin or by ingesting something contaminated. In 2005, a group of 43 international adventure racers competing near Tampa became infected after swimming in bacteria-laden waters. In dogs, the risk is greatest for those who play outdoors with other dogs, like to swim in lakes and ponds or romp through the woods. That's because the bacteria, excreted in urine, survive best in water."
The greatest takeaway here is that there is a vaccine for lepto, though many pet owners aren't aware of this fact. It costs about $50. Speak with your veterinarian about the vaccine, as lepto is both preventable and treatable if caught in time.
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