{"id":768,"date":"2023-03-21T08:15:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T13:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zimmvet.com\/blog\/?p=768"},"modified":"2024-01-19T09:28:26","modified_gmt":"2024-01-19T15:28:26","slug":"leptospirosis-a-risk-to-pets-and-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zimmvet.com\/blog\/leptospirosis-a-risk-to-pets-and-people\/","title":{"rendered":"Leptospirosis a risk to Pets and People!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Dr. Maria Krenz, DVM \u2013 ZimmVet-763-856-4848<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Leptospirosis (Lepto) is an infectious disease and can cause serious illness in dogs and people. This disease is from a spiral-shaped bacteria called Leptospira which live in water or warm wet soil. Any type of animal can potentially get infected. In fact, this has been a problem for years but is now more prevalent; which means Leptospirosis is a risk to all! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Pets and People get Infected<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lepto is spread through bacteria in the urine of the infected animals. Humans and animals can potentially become infected through skin, bodily fluids (except for saliva), and mucus membranes (such as eyes, nose, and\/or mouth). Dogs can pass the disease to each other as well as to people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lepto has become more problematic with the increase in development in areas that were once rural. As a result, pets may be exposed to more wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, squirrels, opossums, or deer that have been infected with the disease. In the event that your pet does become infected, it could mean that your pet may have been drinking, swimming, or walking through the contaminated water or soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs and Symptom<\/strong>s<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The signs can vary and are nonspecific. However, some pets do not have any symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n