Ringwood and Bayswater dogs die after contracting leptospirosis, vets urge vigilance
Pet owners across Melbourne’s outer east are being warned to watch out for their pets being a “bit off” after dogs from Ringwood and Bayswater died from a bacterial disease linked to rats and stagnant water.
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Pet owners in the outer east are being urged to be vigilant after two dogs died from a bacterial disease linked to rats.
Dogs from Ringwood and Bayswater contracted leptospirosis — a severe illness that can be fatal in pets and contracted by people — and died from liver and kidney failure.
The bacteria — leptospira — is usually found in warmer areas of Queensland, and is passed onto animals through rat and mice faeces and urine, and stagnant water.
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The disease, which can transmit from animals to humans, causes vomiting, fever and renal problems.
A recent post on a pet minding Facebook page suggested the bacteria was in Lillydale Lake, but both Melbourne Water and Yarra Ranges Council have quashed the rumour.
Yarra Ranges environment and infrastructure director Mark Varmalis said the council was aware of social media posts claiming that Melbourne Water had been testing water at Lillydale Lake for leptospirosis.
“The council and Melbourne Water are not aware of leptospirosis in the water at Lillydale Lake, and this is not something Melbourne Water routinely tests for,” Mr Varmalis said.
He recommend people and dogs stay out of the lake, particularly following rain, where untreated storm water run-off from roads, parks and footpaths can wash into the lake.
Melbourne Water regional services, waterways and land team leader Steve Hosking said the organisation had been contacted by a someone in the community about a potential blue-green algae bloom in Lillydale Lake.
“Results are expected in the next few days. We are not testing for leptospirosis and do not normally test for this at our monitoring sites,’’ he said.
“There has been no recent history of leptospira occurring at this location.”
Ringwood Vet Emergency’s Dr Vicki Wade, who treated one of the dogs that died, said owners should be vigilant and watch out for their pets becoming lethargic and a “bit off”.
Dr Wade said the disease presents with vague symptoms at first and can be treated early on with aggressive intravenous antibiotics.
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She urged anyone who was worried about their pet to contact their vet.
“It’s something that is transmitted through rats and mice faeces and urine, and water-sodden areas with stagnant lakes and puddles,” Dr Wade said.
“In Sydney at the moment they are dealing with quite a few cases and they’re putting the cause down to the rise in the rat population.”
Ringwood Vet Emergency is offering vaccination on a case-by-case basis.