Vaccination rush as leptospirosis fear hounds dog owners

Pet owners in the city are staying safe this monsoon by vaccinating their animals against diseases like leptospirosis, which can also be transmitted to humans.

In fact, veterinary doctors across the city are reporting a sudden spurt in the demand for the vaccine.

“During monsoon, we recommend dog owners to vaccinate their pets against distemper, leptospirosis, hepatitis etc. As dogs are more susceptible to these infectious diseases than cats, it is safer to vaccinate them early.

Transmission of the disease takes place through contact with infected urine, bite wounds, contaminated water, food etc,” said Dr Smita Deekshit, a vet at Companion Animal Clinic, Malad.

Once infected, dogs develop a fever, sometimes as high as 103-104 degree Celsius, vomiting, rapid dehydration, shivering and muscle tenderness.

“We have treated a few cases of leptospirosis infection in dogs this month. In some of them, the bacteria caused damage to the liver and kidneys, and the animals had to be treated with antibiotics for a few weeks,” said veterinary doctor BJ Kamath from Vashi.

Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA), a charitable organisation which runs an animal hospital in Parel, has also received few cases that are likely to be of leptospirosis.

“We are treating dogs with symptoms similar to leptospirosis, but are yet to get the lab results to say for sure that it is leptospirosis. However, every year during monsoon, we get a few cases of dogs with this infection,” said Dr (Col) JC Khanna, secretary of BSPCA.
Dr Khanna added that dog owners should adopt some prevention methods to avoid these water borne diseases.

“It is advisable for owners to cover their dogs’ mouths with a muzzle to prevent them from drinking water or eating infected food lying on  the streets while taking the out for a walk,” he said.

For pet owner Poonam Sinha from Vashi, long walks for her four-year-old Labrador have been curtailed. “Since the rains began, I am taking my dog for only short walks inside the building compound. My vet has asked me to vaccinate her against lepto and other water borne disease. The shots have not yet been fully administered as they are spaced over three weeks,” she said.