Leptospirosis Risk Increased in Flooded Areas of Texas and Florida

Health officials in Texas and Florida are warning people to avoid standing water. The obvious dangers include poisonous snakes, toxins, alligators and downed electrical lines. The less obvious reasons include infectious diseases like leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a disease carried by rats and rodents. The infective form called a spirochete is transmitted through the urine or …

Leptospirosis in Dogs

Leptospirosis is a serious disease that affects dogs, cats, horses, swine, sheep, goats, deer, marine mammals and humans. The disease starts when leptospires, the immature form of the bacteria, enter the body and make their way into the bloodstream. They stick to the endothelial cells within the blood vessels causing severe vasculitis (inflammation). As the …