Your dog could be at risk! A national shortage of this vital vaccine is leaving Aussie pets vulnerable
- Replies 1
We all love our furry friends and would do anything to keep them healthy and happy.
One of the most important things we can do to protect our pups is to ensure they are properly vaccinated against deadly diseases. The standard core vaccines cover some of the most common and contagious illnesses out there, like Bordetella (kennel cough), Canine Parvovirus, and Canine Distemper Virus.
However, there's one potentially deadly disease that isn't included in the standard vaccine schedule: leptospirosis.
As the warm weather rolls in, many city-dwelling pet owners are keeping a lookout for any indication that their animals may be exposed to the fatal leptospirosis bacteria.
Chief Veterinarian at RSPCA Dr Liz Arnott previously explained that the disease is both infectious and highly life-threatening to our furry friends.
She remarked: 'Anywhere where a rat may have urinated is a possible exposure site for the disease, this includes places like communal drinking water and puddles, so it is a good idea to replace drinking water often to be sure.'
'But unfortunately, it is hard to know if your dog has been exposed to the bacteria until they are unwell.'
However, given the high fatality rate of the illness, proper medical attention should be sought if your dog becomes sick.
'One of the first signs of exposure is lethargy. Other common symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as loss of appetite,' she added.
'If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate veterinary attention.'
Experts believe leptospirosis can occur anywhere and can induce a variety of potentially fatal symptoms due to the massive rodent populations in our cities and suburbs.
And while a vaccination exists to fight the illness, the firm that produces it is reporting a national shortage.
Dogs older than six weeks of age can receive the ‘Protech C2i’ vaccine, which is produced by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health.
However, Boehringer Ingelheim Australia & New Zealand's Head of Animal Health Daniel Watkins said that there was a limited supply of materials at the company.
He said: 'The supply interruptions are associated with specific circumstances at our overseas manufacturing site, including staff capacity issues and distribution challenges.'
'Our veterinary medical services team has been working closely with veterinarians to help them prioritise available doses for animals most at risk.'
Watkins noted that the business anticipated receiving additional vaccinations towards the middle of November.
Leptospirosis symptoms include fever, severe headaches, sore muscles, chills, vomiting, and red eyes.
Veterinarians caution that if untreated, it may result in kidney failure, jaundice, respiratory issues, and, in very severe cases, death.
While doctors caution that the disease can potentially spread anywhere a rat may have urinated, there are some identified hotspots.
Hotspots include places like Greater Darwin, rural Darwin, the Katherine district, Finniss River, Tipperary, Daly River, and Gunbalanya in the Northern Territory (NT).
Experts also saw an increase in cases in some NSW locations earlier in the year.
The Hunter region was among them, along with Marrickville in Sydney's west and the Northern Beaches.
According to Dr Christine Griebsch, Senior Lecturer, Small Animal Health Department, at the University of Sydney, 'risk mitigation methods' were just as important as the vaccine in reducing leptospirosis infection.
She noted: 'The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are passed in the urine of infected animals, particularly from rodents, so limiting contact with urine or areas contaminated with urine is important.'
'This includes limiting contact with (and avoiding) swimming in, and drinking out of stagnant water and avoiding contact with possible reservoir hosts such as rodents and farm animals, which can be achieved by fencing and rodent control.'
She then detailed how close dog-to-dog contact like doggy daycare and boarding in kennels should be reconsidered, especially if you live near affected areas.
Any pet owners with questions or who want to find out if they live in a hotspot region are recommended to contact their local veterinarian for more information.
We all want what's best for our pets - after all, they're members of the family. And while regular checkups can be a bit costly, they're important to keep your furry friend healthy.
Key Takeaways
A deadly bacterial disease known as leptospirosis is spreading in Australia and targeting dogs.
A vaccine shortage is making it difficult to prevent its spread.
The disease is most commonly contracted from contaminated bodies of water.
Symptoms of leptospirosis include lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. If your dog displays any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate veterinary attention.
Just like with humans, preventative care is key when it comes to keeping your pet healthy. Regular checkups can help catch any potential health problems early before they become serious. And while it's important to keep up with your pet's vaccinations, checkups can help catch other issues, like heartworm or parasites.
So, there you have it! Feel free to share this article with your friends and loved ones who own dogs so they can be informed of this looming issue as well!
One of the most important things we can do to protect our pups is to ensure they are properly vaccinated against deadly diseases. The standard core vaccines cover some of the most common and contagious illnesses out there, like Bordetella (kennel cough), Canine Parvovirus, and Canine Distemper Virus.
However, there's one potentially deadly disease that isn't included in the standard vaccine schedule: leptospirosis.
As the warm weather rolls in, many city-dwelling pet owners are keeping a lookout for any indication that their animals may be exposed to the fatal leptospirosis bacteria.
Chief Veterinarian at RSPCA Dr Liz Arnott previously explained that the disease is both infectious and highly life-threatening to our furry friends.
Pet insurance providers have issued an urgent warning about a bacterial ailment that dogs can obtain from puddles as a result of the extremely rainy first half of the year along Australia's east coast. Credit: Dan Peled/AAP.
She remarked: 'Anywhere where a rat may have urinated is a possible exposure site for the disease, this includes places like communal drinking water and puddles, so it is a good idea to replace drinking water often to be sure.'
'But unfortunately, it is hard to know if your dog has been exposed to the bacteria until they are unwell.'
However, given the high fatality rate of the illness, proper medical attention should be sought if your dog becomes sick.
'One of the first signs of exposure is lethargy. Other common symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as loss of appetite,' she added.
'If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate veterinary attention.'
Experts believe leptospirosis can occur anywhere and can induce a variety of potentially fatal symptoms due to the massive rodent populations in our cities and suburbs.
And while a vaccination exists to fight the illness, the firm that produces it is reporting a national shortage.
Dogs older than six weeks of age can receive the ‘Protech C2i’ vaccine, which is produced by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health.
However, Boehringer Ingelheim Australia & New Zealand's Head of Animal Health Daniel Watkins said that there was a limited supply of materials at the company.
He said: 'The supply interruptions are associated with specific circumstances at our overseas manufacturing site, including staff capacity issues and distribution challenges.'
'Our veterinary medical services team has been working closely with veterinarians to help them prioritise available doses for animals most at risk.'
The company producing vaccines for leptospirosis is experiencing a shortage. Credit: Antonio_Diaz/Getty Images/iStockphoto.
Watkins noted that the business anticipated receiving additional vaccinations towards the middle of November.
Leptospirosis symptoms include fever, severe headaches, sore muscles, chills, vomiting, and red eyes.
Veterinarians caution that if untreated, it may result in kidney failure, jaundice, respiratory issues, and, in very severe cases, death.
While doctors caution that the disease can potentially spread anywhere a rat may have urinated, there are some identified hotspots.
Hotspots include places like Greater Darwin, rural Darwin, the Katherine district, Finniss River, Tipperary, Daly River, and Gunbalanya in the Northern Territory (NT).
Experts also saw an increase in cases in some NSW locations earlier in the year.
The Hunter region was among them, along with Marrickville in Sydney's west and the Northern Beaches.
According to Dr Christine Griebsch, Senior Lecturer, Small Animal Health Department, at the University of Sydney, 'risk mitigation methods' were just as important as the vaccine in reducing leptospirosis infection.
She noted: 'The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are passed in the urine of infected animals, particularly from rodents, so limiting contact with urine or areas contaminated with urine is important.'
'This includes limiting contact with (and avoiding) swimming in, and drinking out of stagnant water and avoiding contact with possible reservoir hosts such as rodents and farm animals, which can be achieved by fencing and rodent control.'
She then detailed how close dog-to-dog contact like doggy daycare and boarding in kennels should be reconsidered, especially if you live near affected areas.
Any pet owners with questions or who want to find out if they live in a hotspot region are recommended to contact their local veterinarian for more information.
We all want what's best for our pets - after all, they're members of the family. And while regular checkups can be a bit costly, they're important to keep your furry friend healthy.
Key Takeaways
A deadly bacterial disease known as leptospirosis is spreading in Australia and targeting dogs.
A vaccine shortage is making it difficult to prevent its spread.
The disease is most commonly contracted from contaminated bodies of water.
Symptoms of leptospirosis include lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. If your dog displays any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate veterinary attention.
Just like with humans, preventative care is key when it comes to keeping your pet healthy. Regular checkups can help catch any potential health problems early before they become serious. And while it's important to keep up with your pet's vaccinations, checkups can help catch other issues, like heartworm or parasites.
So, there you have it! Feel free to share this article with your friends and loved ones who own dogs so they can be informed of this looming issue as well!
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