BY OLIVIA DILLON
Pet owners around Lake Macquarie are being urged to monitor their cats and dogs for symptoms of leptospirosis.
The call comes after a 12-week old puppy from Speers Point was diagnosed with the rare bacterial disease last week.
The Belgian Shepherd pup was taken to Cardiff Vet Hospital, presenting symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.
Cardiff vet Andrew Cornwell, said this is the first time the tropical disease has appeared in the Hunter region in decades.
"Leptospirosis is a disease that dogs can contract through puddles contaminated with rat urine, either from drinking from the puddle or having their abrasions and cuts exposed to it. That's also the way people catch it as well, through abrasions and cuts on their legs being exposed to or contaminated with rat urine," he said.
Mr Cornwell also noted vector-borne diseases' ability to thrive in warm, moist environments, particularly ponds, stagnant water and areas exposed to flooding.
"We believe it has probably occurred because of La Niña, where we've got a lot of water lying around and therefore its been a good opportunity for this bacteria to survive, but nonetheless, once it's in the environment, it's really going to take hot weather and a drought to get rid of it," Mr Cornwell said.
Following an outbreak of leptospirosis in Sydney between 2017 and 2020, all 17 dogs infected with the disease died.
Mr Cornwell is therefore urging all pet owners within a 3km radius of Speers Point to talk to their vet about getting their dogs vaccinated against the disease. He says the most affected suburbs will be Argenton, Warners Bay, Boolaroo, Booragul, Macquarie Hills and Teralba.
While a vaccine is not a currently available for cats, Mr Cornwell said owners can protect their pets by instating effective pest control around the house.
