Falmouth vet expresses concern over dog vaccinations

6:12pm Monday 7th April 2008

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Paul Cockerham, senior veterinary surgeon at Rosemullion Vets, is warning dog owners to ensure vaccinations are up to date after the practice treated a young dog which had contracted canine Leptospirosis, a bacterial condition which causes acute liver and kidney disease.

Despite intensive treatment, the dog died within 24 hours of first showing signs of being unwell. This case is just the latest case of Leptospirosis which the practice has had to deal with. Paul Cockerham estimates that they are currently seeing one case a month - a significant increase on previous years, suggesting that the disease is once again gaining a strong foothold.

"Leptospirosis is a particularly unpleasant disease with affected dogs displaying symptoms including lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. It quickly progresses to jaundice, organ system failure and, often, death. The disease can also be transmitted to humans when it's known as Wiel's Disease, said Mr Cockerham.

"Until recently, the disease was being controlled quite effectively through vaccination but we suspect that some owners have now allowed vaccinations to lapse, assuming that Leptospirosis no longer presents a threat," comments Paul Cockerham.

"Unfortunately, this is not the case and it's a disease which presents a particular threat to dogs living in the countryside. Rats are the natural reservoir of the bacterium and ditches, puddles, moorland ponds etc which have been contaminated by them, can all act as potential sources of infection. Dogs have a habit of drinking from such places."

"Vaccination is the simple way to protect dogs from this dreadful disease and we strongly urge dog owners to make sure that their dogs' vaccinations are fully up to date."