Dog dies from leptospirosis on northern beaches, as vets recommend vaccinations

Vets are urging pet owners to get their dogs vaccinated against a highly contagious bacterial disease, which is spread by rats, after a dog contracted it on the peninsula.

A dog has died from a highly contagious bacterial disease contracted on the northern beaches.

Outbreaks of leptospirosis in other parts of Sydney have been a problem for animals in the past few years, but the northern beaches has managed to avoid locally acquired cases until now.

The disease, which is spread via rat’s urine, can also be passed from infected animals to humans and can be fatal.

The current mouse plague has also seen cases among humans in NSW rise dramatically.

There have been two cases among humans in the Northern Sydney Local Health District this year so far.

The disease is spread through the urine of infected animals, including rats.

Anna Dengate, specialist in small animal internal medicine, from the Northern Emergency Veterinary Service at Terrey Hills, said the sick dog from the Narrabeen and Elanora Heights area was admitted on Monday and died this week.

She said it was the first time a case had been locally contracted on the peninsula and for animals it was nearly 100 per cent fatal.

“Symptoms are vague such a vomiting or diarrhoea,” she said.

Ms Dengate said most dogs pick it up through drinking stagnant water where rats have urinated.

It can even be caused by rats urinating on the roof and rainwater washing it onto the ground where a puddle is formed.

A generic photo of a dog.

Ms Dengate warned pet owners to tip out water in bowls at dog parks and refill with fresh water before allowing their dog to drink.

She said the only way to prevent it, is by vaccinating.

“There’s been a rush to get dogs vaccinated already,” Ms Dengate said.

“I’d urge people to be patient.”

Eloise Blake, practice manager at Collaroy Plateau Veterinary Hospital, said they were

recommending that all dogs on the northern beaches get vaccinated.

“This dog had not left Narrabeen so that’s why we think it was locally acquired,” she said.

“We recommend that all dogs are vaccinated.”

Currently there is no vaccine for cats, so owners are being urged to keep them inside.

The dog died at Northside Emergency Veterinary Services in Terrey Hills. Picture: Supplied.

Experts say the disease which is “shed out in the urine”, can easily spread from animals to people.

It can be past on by splashed of the urine finding its way into a mucosal surface like your eye, mouth or skin, but most frequently it’s accessing the same external indirect surface, so out in the environment.

Symptoms in humans can range from a mild headache to blood in the urine and skin haemorrhages.

NSW Health said most cases reported are from regional areas “often in association with floods or mouse plagues” and are usually treated with a course of antibiotics.

“The most effective way to prevent any transmission from infected pets or another source of the infection to humans is for people to wash their hands with soap after touching animals, and keep cuts and scratches covered when there is a chance they could come in contact with animal urine,” a spokesman said.

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