The disease is relatively rare in Australia.
Sydney, July 15, 2019: Vets are warning pet owners to be on high alert after a contagious bacterial disease spread through Sydney’s inner-city, killing at least five dogs.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection which can be spread among animals in several ways, but most commonly through rat urine that finds way into local waterways. The disease is relatively rare in Australia, found mostly in rural areas that are warm and moist, such as northeastern NSW and Queensland. But recently leptospirosis, or lepto as it is also known, has killed a number of pet dogs around Surry Hills, Redfern and Darlinghurst, in the middle of Sydney. The City of Sydney council said it is monitoring the issue “closely”.
Bu is one of them. Her owners said she died on her ninth birthday. “The vet who tried to save Bu has said he has had five cases in recent months. One more again after Bu,” the owner said via a Facebook post through a local gym. There are no specific symptoms associated with leptospirosis. Often dogs and cats that have contracted the disease are off-color, lethargic and have lost their appetite. In more serious cases, pets will suffer from vomiting, diarrhea or seizures, while owners may be able to notice jaundice or discoloration in the animal’s gums, eyes and skin.
(Story by 10 daily)
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