Veterinarians warn pet owners to vaccinate dogs as fatal disease spreads

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV/Gray News) - Pet owners in Missouri are being more cautious after a vet issued warnings about a deadly disease uptick.

The warning comes as the Pet Resource Center of Kansas City said two dogs had to be euthanized after they tested positive for a bacterial infection called leptospirosis. Health experts said the disease can also spread to humans.

Dr. Melia Washington, chief veterinarian at the Pet Resource Center of Kansas City, said all dog owners should be aware of this disease.

“It’s a bacterial infection that dogs can get from the urine of wildlife,” Washington said. “When it’s nice outside like it is now, that’s when we see spikes in lepto.”

Leptospirosis, also known as “lepto,” can spread through the urine of infected animals, contaminating water, soil and even food.

The infection mainly spreads through water; which is why dog parks are on Washington’s radar.

“If your dog is mainly indoors but you frequent a lot of dog parks, or you go swimming and there are water sources that have access to deer or things like that, those are going to be the pets that are going to be at risk for lepto,” Washington said.

Washington said some of the symptoms to watch out for are throwing up, diarrhea or yellow eyes.

“It causes very rapid and very severe liver and kidney failure,” Washington said. “If you notice your pet isn’t acting right, we need to see it right away. A lot of times, by the time the owners understand their pet is sick, it’s beyond the point of us helping.”

Washington said the vaccine for the disease is important. At $20 for a vaccine dose, Washington said the risk for the disease is so dire that her team will work with owners who might not be able to afford it.

“We don’t want anyone to think that this is inaccessible,” Washington said. “If anyone comes in and tells us that they can’t afford it, we work with everyone, and we can subsidize down to $0.”

Washington also recommends regularly cleaning out your dog’s bowl and to not leave it outside overnight.

It has owners like Diana Polanco, waiting in line to get her dog the vaccine.

“They are family, too,” Polanco said. “Just as it’s important for our babies, staying up to date on vaccines is just as important for our dogs. It would break my heart if my dog died over this disease.”

Keleigh Crouthers, who also frequents the dog parks with her three dogs, said the threat of the disease is concerning.

“It’s kinda scary,” Crouthers said. “I have a dog that loves the water so to keep her out of that would be a crazy mess. Definitely going to be more cautious and more aware.”

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