What you need to know to protect your pets from this common illness
“I was worried she wasn’t going to make it,” recalls Valeria Fernandez of her dog Azula. “I thought I was going to lose my puppy.”
It was in the middle of the night when Azula started acting funny. “She had an accident and was throwing up,” adds Valeria, who rushed Azula to Advanced Veterinary Care Center’s 24-hour emergency hospital in Davie. “She was lethargic and not responsive, had a fever of 104 and she wouldn’t eat or drink. I was absolutely terrified. She wouldn’t stand up or look at me,” says Valeria.
Blood tests revealed kidney failure and evidence of hepatitis, the combination of which is highly suspicious for a diagnosis of leptospirosis, a life-threatening bacterial infection. While Azula had been vaccinated for leptospirosis, the vaccine does not cover all of the potential strains of the disease (there are more than 250). She was also infected for hookworm, a parasite that can cause anemia, weight loss and diarrhea.
AVCC’s team of emergency doctors and board certified specialists worked together to care for Azula. She received intensive care that included IV antibiotics, fluid and nutritional support, and around-the-clock monitoring. “I was there every night to visit her. At first, I didn’t think she would pull through. It was a tough one. But gradually she became more upbeat and energetic and responsive,” she adds.
Azula required ten days of hospitalization, along with follow up care that led to $26,000 in veterinary bills. Valeria was so grateful she had pet insurance to cover 90% of the cost. “If I didn’t have pet insurance, I don’t know that I could have afforded to keep her alive. I don’t know many people that can do that. I’ll never go without pet insurance.”
Valeria also appreciates the team approach at Advanced Veterinary Care Center, that brought Azula back to health. “I’m incredibly grateful that they are so thorough. A group of the doctors met up together to figure out what was wrong with Azula and exhausted all options. All of her nurses were incredibly caring and thoughtful and went out of their way to make sure she got what she needed. I knew I could call anytime day or night and doctors were always quick about getting back to me. Everyone was in constant communication. Dr. Mason was especially wonderful because she was looking out for me too. I felt like I was taken care of as well.”
Today Azula is back to being her playful self. “She loves to play fetch, go on runs on the beach and is a treat connoisseur who loves to cuddle,” says Valeria. “It’s been a long road to recovery, but she is a happy healthy puppy!”
Here are 7 things all pet owners should know right now about leptospirosis:
1. How animals get infected: The most common way pets become infected with leptospirosis is contact with infected urine from wildlife, such as rodents. They ingest the urine either intentionally from puddles or other collections of water, or from grooming the infected urine off of their fur, resulting in infection. The bacteria can enter a dog’s body through their mucus membranes such as the eyes, nose, mouth and even through cuts on their skin.
2. There’s an increase in leptospirosis infections in South Florida.
3. This infection is contagious to other animals and humans! It is very important for owners to know that leptospirosis is zoonotic, which means the bacteria can be passed on from the pet to the pet owner, especially through contact with infected urine. Leptospirosis is a very serious illness in people, just like it is in pets. Preventing infection in owners is very important. Anyone who has a pet that has been diagnosed with leptospirosis should speak to their family doctor if they have any concerning signs or symptoms, as this infection needs to be caught early.
4. The signs of leptospirosis infection in dogs can vary. Some animals may show no signs at all. General signs of illness such as lethargy, anorexia, vomiting or fever may be observed. These can progress to multi-organ failure than can affect the kidneys, liver, lungs, and more.
5. Leptospirosis can be found anywhere, even in your own backyard! We really see leptospirosis everywhere, regardless of the environment. Animals who may be at a higher risk include those who spend a large amount of time in nature, especially in wet environments, particularly dogs who participate in hiking or camping and may be drinking out of puddles.
6. Leptospirosis affects dogs more than cats for a couple of reasons. First, cats are less likely to be outside and come into contact with infected urine. Second, it has been theorized that cats are more resistant to infection with the bacteria than dogs, and so they are less likely to become clinically ill if they are exposed.
7. Leptospirosis can be prevented. No vaccine is 100% effective, as was the case for Azula. But, vaccination for leptospirosis is very effective at preventing infection and should be considered for all dogs at risk of exposure to the bacteria.
Learn More About Pet Insurance
We believe that medical insurance for pets is an important part of pet ownership. If your pet is not currently insured, we recommend researching coverage options that will offer security in cases of unexpected or complicated illnesses and injuries. There are a number of reputable providers of pet insurance policies.
You can find a variety of plans here! We recommend that you compare plans and find the one that meets the needs of your family. Many of our clients and AVCC staff members use Trupanion, Healthy Paws, Embrace, and Pets Best, but we recommend looking at several companies and plans to find one that works best for your household.
Click To Read More Patient Stories on How Pet Insurance Saves Lives:
Luca’s pet insurance policy saves her family more than $80,000
Pet Insurance Allows Ouzo to Get the Emergency Care He Needs
Gus Gus’s Lifesaving Elective Surgery is Covered by Pet Insurance
About Advanced Veterinary Care Center
South Florida’s Premier Veterinary Emergency Hospital
We Have a Fully Staffed Veterinary Emergency Hospital
We have the largest team of veterinary emergency doctors and nurses in South Florida. Our emergency doctors are internship trained and have years of experience in emergency medicine. Every person on our ER team is RECOVER certified (basic and advanced life support/CPR training).
A Collaborative Approach to Veterinary Care
Our emergency doctors are supported 24/7 by our team of board-certified veterinary specialists. We work as a team to provide the best possible outcomes for pets and their people. Great veterinary medical care is a team sport – our collaborative approach and the quality of our team give patients the best chances for the best possible outcomes. We have earned a reputation for handling the most challenging cases because of our team and our approach.
Board Certification. It Matters!
Board certification in an accredited veterinary specialty is the only accepted standard for expertise in veterinary medicine. Our experts are all board certified in their specialties and they have collectively published over 30 peer-reviewed publications in veterinary medical journals.
We Have a State-Of-The-Art Facility
Including a full in-house lab, canine and feline blood products, a brand new 32-slice Fuji CT unit, surgical suites, minimally invasive surgical equipment, flexible and rigid endoscopy, mechanical ventilator, blood products and all equipment and services necessary for state-of-the-art care.
Centrally Located, Easily Accessible, and Worth the Drive.
We are 20 minutes from most of Broward County and 45-60 minutes from much of Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties.
We are Privately Owned and Operated.
The owners of AVCC are full-time veterinarians and active members of our community.
Advanced Veterinary Care Center in Davie (Broward County) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. If you have any questions regarding our services, please feel free to call us anytime at 954-500-8387 or visit us online here.