Fears for city dogs as killer disease Leptospirosis returns to Sydney
A dog has tragically died from what is believed to be a rat-borne disease. It follows eight other deaths linked to Leptospirosis — and worryingly appears to be confined to pets in Sydney’s inner suburbs.
Wentworth Courier
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A vet is calling on pet owners to get their dogs vaccinated after the latest death attributed to a rat-borne disease.
A dog died in Darlinghurst last week from the Leptospirosis disease — the ninth such death in the last two years.
It has a 100 per cent kill rate with all cases confined to Sydney’s inner suburbs of Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Redfern and Glebe.
Dr Christine Griebsch, from the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney (UVTHS) said owners must stay vigilant.
“It’s not over yet,” she said. “We still need to keep an eye out.”
Dr Griebsch and the UVTHS recommends dogs within 3km of the named suburbs are vaccinated.
“It’s very concentrated in this specific area. We’re not recommending for dogs in wider Sydney area to be vaccinated,” she said.
“More cases come after heavy rainfall. (There could be) more cases if there is rain in the coming months,” she said, as the disease thrives in humid and wet conditions.
Leptospirosis is spread through contact with soil, water or food contaminated with infected rodent urine.
UVTHS has also issued a statement on Facebook.
“Sadly, there has been another confirmed case of Leptospirosis diagnosed in a dog living in Darlinghurst,” it reads. “The dog was not vaccinated against Leptospirosis.
“He was treated at another specialist clinic in the inner west and died on October 14. We are currently investigating which strain (serovar) was involved.”
Serovar is a strain which it is possible to vaccinate for.
“A reminder that it is currently recommended to vaccinate dogs living in areas within a 3km radius around Surry Hills, dogs that go for walks in this area and dogs living in the wider inner west that are known ‘ratters’,” the post continued.
Dr Griebsch and the University of Sydney are currently investigating the reason for the concentrated outbreak.
“We’re investigating whether rats are really the culprit, or (if it’s due to an) increased concentration of rats,” Dr Griebsch said.