[ SHOWGSD-L ] MI<>MSU researchers warn of bacterial outbreak in Metro Detroit dogs

From: Stormy Hope <stormy435@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx showlist" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2011 08:03:21 -0700
MSU researchers warn of bacterial outbreak in Metro Detroit dogs
http://bit.ly/s7Yzzp

http://www.detnews.com/article/20111028/METRO/110280413/1409/metro/MSU-resea
rchers-warn-of-bacterial-outbreak-in-Metro-Detroit-dogs

MSU researchers warn of bacterial outbreak in Metro Detroit dogs
Mark Hicks/ The Detroit News

East Lansing- Michigan State University animal experts say more than 20
cases of a life-threatening bacterial infection have been reported in
Detroit-area dogs.

Michigan State University veterinary researchers are warning of an  
outbreak
of a life-threatening bacterial infection among dogs in Metro Detroit.

A specific strain of the disease known as leptospirosis has been  
diagnosed
in more than 20 cases. Nine dogs were either euthanized or died as a  
result.

"What is particularly unusual about this outbreak is that the dogs  
affected
are not stray animals, but people's pets," Carole Bolin, director of  
MSU's
Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, said in a statement
Thursday.

"Unfortunately, we expect to see more cases, and this is a very  
dangerous
type of leptospirosis. Many veterinarians have never seen this type in  
dogs
because it was markedly reduced by vaccination."

Bolin and a team at MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine's diagnostic  
center
performed testing and identified the infection strain as
icterohaemorrhagiae. Leptospirosis can be fatal in dogs. It is commonly
carried by rats but also can be transmitted between dogs or to humans,  
MSU
said.

Leptospirosis is linked to bacteria that resides in the kidney of a  
host -
often a wild or stray dog - and spread through urinating. Pets can  
become
infected by sniffing the urine or coming into contact with standing  
water
contaminated by rain and water runoff, according to MSU researchers.

The bacteria can travel through a dog's bloodstream and typically causes
fever, depression and vomiting. The condition can also attack the  
liver and
lead to organ failure, MSU said.

"This is a very serious, rapidly progressing type of leptospirosis in  
dogs,"
Bolin said. "Dogs can appear normal one day and be severely ill the next
day."

Experts believe the key to prevention is vaccination.

Dr. Marc Elie of Michigan Veterinary Specialists in Southfield, which  
treats
about 24-36 cases of the condition each year, recommends pets get the
leptospirosis vaccination in addition to the series of shots dogs are  
urged
to receive.

"A pet that is vaccinated . is at lesser risk for infection," he said.

If a pet exhibits symptoms of the condition, immediate treatment is
necessary.

"If documented early in the course of infection, it can be eradicated  
from
the pet so it's no longer a risk to the family," Elie said.

 From The Detroit News:
http://detnews.com/article/20111028/METRO/110280413/MSU-researchers-warn-of-
bacterial-outbreak-in-Metro-Detroit-dogs#ixzz1c4xZW489


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[ SHOWGSD-L ] MI<>MSU researchers warn of bacterial outbreak in Metro Detroit dogs

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