maryellen1
03-23-2007, 09:22 AM
Something else to be aware of in NJ
TO: Veterinarians; Animal Control Officers;Kennels;
> Pet shops
> FROM: Warren County Health Department
> SUBJECT: guidance on Canine Leptospirosis
> SOURCE: NJDHSS
> DATE: March 1, 2007
>
> DISTRIBUTED BY: Sally E. Weirback, LINCS Coordinator
>
> Phone: 908-689-6693
> Fax: 908-689-3832
> Email: sw5@njlincs.<WBR>net (sw5%40njlincs.net)
>
> NJLINCS Health Alert Network
> Public Health Advisory
> Distributed by the New Jersey Department of Health
> and Senior Services
>
> Subject: Guidance on Canine Leptospirosis
> Date: 3/1/2007; 15:21:59
> Message #: 100398-3-1-2007-<WBR>PHAD
> Contact Info: Colin T. Campbell, New Jersey
> Department of Health and Senior Services
> Phone: 609-588-3121; Email:
> colin.campbell@<WBR>doh.state.<WBR>nj.us (colin.campbell%40doh.state.nj.us)
> Faye E. Sorhage, New Jersey Department of Health
> Phone: 609-588-3121; Email:
> faye.sorhage@<WBR>doh.state.<WBR>nj.us (faye.sorhage%40doh.state.nj.us)
> Attachments:
>
canine_leptospirosi<WBR>s_Alert_LINCS_<WBR>March_2007_<WBR>letterhead.<WBR>doc
>
>
>
> Please distribute this notice and the attachment to
> veterinarians, animal control officers and managers
> of shelters, pet shops, pounds and kennels in your
> jurisdiction
>
> New Jersey veterinarians are reporting that they are
> seeing an increase in cases of canine leptospirosis,
> a bacterial disease that can cause infection in the
> liver and kidneys in their client's dogs.
> Leptospirosis can also affect humans, although it's
> usually associated with contact with contaminated
> water as opposed to contact with infected pets.
>
> The bacteria causing leptospirosis are spread
> through the urine of infected animals (raccoons,
> opossums, skunks and rodents), which can get into
> water or soil and can survive there for weeks to
> months. Humans and animals can become infected
> through contact with this contaminated urine, water,
> or soil. The bacteria can enter the body through
> skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth),
> especially if the skin is broken from a cut or
> scratch. Drinking contaminated water can also cause
> infection. Because of increased building and
> development into areas that were previously rural,
> pets may be exposed to displaced wildlife infected
> with leptospirosis.
>
> The incubation period is usually 5 to 14 days, but
> can be as short as a few days or as long as 30 days
> or more. The clinical signs of leptospirosis vary
> and are nonspecific. Sometimes pets do not h ave any
> symptoms.
>
> Common clinical signs reported in dogs include
> fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, refusal
> to eat, severe weakness and depression, stiffness,
> severe muscle pain, or infertility. Generally
> younger animals are more seriously affected than
> older animals. Dogs that spend little outdoors are
> still at risk of infection.
>
> Veterinarians are urged to consider leptospirosis in
> their differential diagnoses. Prompt diagnosis and
> treatment with antibiotics will increase the chance
> of a good prognosis and more rapid and complete
> recovery. Aggressive supportive treatment may be
> required.
>
> Veterinarians should consider leptospirosis
> vaccination for their client's dogs. It should be
> noted that commercial vaccines do not provide
> immunity against all serovars of the bacteria which
> ca n cause infection. Because rodents can spread the
> bacteria, keep rodent problems (rats, mice, or other
> animal pests) under control.
>
> NJDHSS in collaboration with the Sussex County
> Division of Health and Sussex county veterinarians
> has developed the attached, "Advice for Dog Owners
> with Pets Infected with Leptospirosis,<WBR>" and
> encourages veterinarians, animal control officers
> and managers of shelters, pet shops, pounds and
> kennels to distribute this information to pet
> owners, as appropriate.
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TO: Veterinarians; Animal Control Officers;Kennels;
> Pet shops
> FROM: Warren County Health Department
> SUBJECT: guidance on Canine Leptospirosis
> SOURCE: NJDHSS
> DATE: March 1, 2007
>
> DISTRIBUTED BY: Sally E. Weirback, LINCS Coordinator
>
> Phone: 908-689-6693
> Fax: 908-689-3832
> Email: sw5@njlincs.<WBR>net (sw5%40njlincs.net)
>
> NJLINCS Health Alert Network
> Public Health Advisory
> Distributed by the New Jersey Department of Health
> and Senior Services
>
> Subject: Guidance on Canine Leptospirosis
> Date: 3/1/2007; 15:21:59
> Message #: 100398-3-1-2007-<WBR>PHAD
> Contact Info: Colin T. Campbell, New Jersey
> Department of Health and Senior Services
> Phone: 609-588-3121; Email:
> colin.campbell@<WBR>doh.state.<WBR>nj.us (colin.campbell%40doh.state.nj.us)
> Faye E. Sorhage, New Jersey Department of Health
> Phone: 609-588-3121; Email:
> faye.sorhage@<WBR>doh.state.<WBR>nj.us (faye.sorhage%40doh.state.nj.us)
> Attachments:
>
canine_leptospirosi<WBR>s_Alert_LINCS_<WBR>March_2007_<WBR>letterhead.<WBR>doc
>
>
>
> Please distribute this notice and the attachment to
> veterinarians, animal control officers and managers
> of shelters, pet shops, pounds and kennels in your
> jurisdiction
>
> New Jersey veterinarians are reporting that they are
> seeing an increase in cases of canine leptospirosis,
> a bacterial disease that can cause infection in the
> liver and kidneys in their client's dogs.
> Leptospirosis can also affect humans, although it's
> usually associated with contact with contaminated
> water as opposed to contact with infected pets.
>
> The bacteria causing leptospirosis are spread
> through the urine of infected animals (raccoons,
> opossums, skunks and rodents), which can get into
> water or soil and can survive there for weeks to
> months. Humans and animals can become infected
> through contact with this contaminated urine, water,
> or soil. The bacteria can enter the body through
> skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth),
> especially if the skin is broken from a cut or
> scratch. Drinking contaminated water can also cause
> infection. Because of increased building and
> development into areas that were previously rural,
> pets may be exposed to displaced wildlife infected
> with leptospirosis.
>
> The incubation period is usually 5 to 14 days, but
> can be as short as a few days or as long as 30 days
> or more. The clinical signs of leptospirosis vary
> and are nonspecific. Sometimes pets do not h ave any
> symptoms.
>
> Common clinical signs reported in dogs include
> fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, refusal
> to eat, severe weakness and depression, stiffness,
> severe muscle pain, or infertility. Generally
> younger animals are more seriously affected than
> older animals. Dogs that spend little outdoors are
> still at risk of infection.
>
> Veterinarians are urged to consider leptospirosis in
> their differential diagnoses. Prompt diagnosis and
> treatment with antibiotics will increase the chance
> of a good prognosis and more rapid and complete
> recovery. Aggressive supportive treatment may be
> required.
>
> Veterinarians should consider leptospirosis
> vaccination for their client's dogs. It should be
> noted that commercial vaccines do not provide
> immunity against all serovars of the bacteria which
> ca n cause infection. Because rodents can spread the
> bacteria, keep rodent problems (rats, mice, or other
> animal pests) under control.
>
> NJDHSS in collaboration with the Sussex County
> Division of Health and Sussex county veterinarians
> has developed the attached, "Advice for Dog Owners
> with Pets Infected with Leptospirosis,<WBR>" and
> encourages veterinarians, animal control officers
> and managers of shelters, pet shops, pounds and
> kennels to distribute this information to pet
> owners, as appropriate.
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