Sadly yesterday there was another confirmed Leptospirosis case, this time the dog was from Crows Nest. The dog was not vaccinated against Leptospirosis and sadly was euthanized due to anuric renal failure. They were unable to determine the causative serovar in this case – likely due to insufficient time for seroconversion. This is the first reported case of Leptospirosis from Crows Nest.
Last year there were 8 confirmed Leptospirosis cases between May and November and these dogs lived or visited Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Glebe and Redfern. This month there has been 2 Leptospirosis cases recorded from Newtown and Balmain. While the dog from Newtown was also euthanized the dog from Balmain has been discharged from the hospital and is recovering well. In both these cases Copenhageni was identified as the causative serovar.
Therefore, we recommend vaccination against Leptospirosis in dogs who live or visit the Inner West of Sydney, North Shore plus the Northern Beaches areas or if a dog is in contact with rats.
Leptospirosis Update 14th August 2020:
This week there has been a case of confirmed Leptospirosis in a dog in Newtown. Sadly, this dog was euthanised. The dog had been in contact with rats.
This is the first case of confirmed Leptospirosis this year and the first one reported in Newtown. Please remain vigilant! Sydney Animal Hospitals continue to recommend vaccination of dogs in the Newtown and Erskineville area – which is on the border of the previously recommended zone, a 3 km radius around Surry Hills.
Sydney Animal Hospitals currently continues to strongly recommend vaccination for all Inner City dogs and all dogs that may be exposed to rats or environments inhabited by rats.
Please ensure your dog remains current with its vaccination protocol. Boosters are required annually if your dog has been previously vaccinated.
The University of Sydney continues to investigate Leptospirosis cases to determine which serovars are involved and if there is any specific source of infection which can be identified. Sydney Animal Hospitals is assisting the University and may ask for your permission in collecting samples from your dog prior to vaccinations. Sampling should not be cause for alarm, it is to collate information in healthy animals in order to obtain the back ground exposure in our dog’s communities.
Leptospirosis may be suspected in any dog with:
– Nonspecific clinical signs like lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea
– Azotemia (kidney failure)
– +/- hyperbilirubinaemia (yellow gums and mucus membranes), elevated liver enzymes
– +/- glucosuria (glucose in the urine)
Important information that the vet may ask is:
– Any contact with rats
– Any contact with stagnant water (eg ponds)
– Which area is the patient from?
– Any travel to endemic areas (Newtown, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Redfern, Glebe and surrounding suburbs)
In suspicious cases Sydney Animal Hospitals vets will recommend:
– Collection of urine and blood samples
– Ensuring gloves / PPE are worn when handling the animal as Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease (that is a disease that is transmissible to humans)
– Starting treatment with IV fluids and antibiotics.
– The patient should be isolated from other animals. We currently recommend isolation for 72 hours following the commencement of antibiotics.
– The owner/s should be advised to seek medical advice.
We may ask clients who are from the Newtown area to obtain screening samples from their dog before we vaccinate against leptospirosis, on behalf of the University Study into the prevalence of this disease. These blood and urine samples would be collected before the dog’s initial vaccination (only in dogs never vaccinated against leptospirosis before).
For more information go to sydneyanimalhospitals.com.au/leptospirosis-alert
If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact your local Sydney Animal Hospital;
Newtown (02) 9519 4111
69-73 Erskineville Road Erskineville
Inner West (02) 9516 1466
1A Northumberland Ave Stanmore
Norwest (02) 8883 0411
Unit 8, 1-3 Celebration Dr Bella Vista
Kellyville (02) 8883 0533
106 Windsor Rd Kellyville
Newport (02) 9997 4609
1 Palm Rd Newport
Avalon (02) 9918 0833
710 Barrenjoey Rd Avalon Beach
