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What You Need to Know About Pumpkin Spice and Your Pup

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by infection with Leptospira bacteria. Leptospira are spirochetes that are transmitted between animals by direct or indirect contact. Dogs are most commonly affected and although the disease can occur in cats it is rare and clinical symptoms appear to be mild although very little is known about the disease in this species. Dogs can become infected and develop leptospirosis through exposure of their mucous membranes (or skin with any wound, such as a cut or scrape)  to infected urine, urine-contaminated soil, water, food or bedding, through a bite from an infected animal, by eating infected tissues and rarely, through breeding. It can also be passed through the placenta from the mother dog to the puppies. Exposure to infected urine, ingestion of infected tissues, and bite wounds are probably the most common means of direct transmission in the dog. Common risk factors for leptospirosis in dogs residing in the United States include exposure to or drinking from rivers, lakes or streams; roaming on rural properties (because of exposure to potentially infected wildlife, farm animals, or water sources), exposure to wild animal or farm animal species and contact with rodents or other dogs. There has been a surge in the diagnosis of infected dogs in urban areas as a result of the burgeoning rodent population associated with urban homeless encampments. Affected soil and water can remain infective for anywhere from up to 3-6 months. Leptospirosis is indeed a zoonotic disease meaning that infection can be passed from humans to animals and from animals to people. Infection in people can cause flu-like symptoms and can cause liver or kidney disease. In the United States, most cases of human leptospirosis result from recreational activities involving exposure to infected water; infection resulting from contact with an infected pet is much less common, but it is possible.  Keep Reading