Several Bergen County Dogs Diagnosed With Deadly Disease

At least five dogs have been diagnosed in recent months with a potentially fatal disease that can be transmitted to humans.

Veterinarians at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Paramus have diagnosed five dogs with leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that, if left untreated, leads to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure and death. The five cases are an unusually high amount.

The disease tends to be transmitted through bacteria present in the urine of wild animals. Dogs often get infected in areas by walking through or drinking standing water containing the urine. The water keeps the bacteria alive.

Dr. Benjamin Davidson, a critical care veterinarian with BluePearl, said the uptick in cases could be attributed to the usually warm winter North Jersey had this year.

"This number of cases is more than what a specialty hospital would normally see, especially over the winter," Davidson said. "It is enough to make sure the public are aware of the presence of the organism in North Jersey."

The bacteria damage blood vessels and then organs. Infected pets may be lethargic, do not eat, bleed from the nose, vomit and have diarrhea.

"Early recognition and treatment is the key," Davidson said, noting that the disease can be treated with antibiotics. "With early treatment, the prognosis is good. Infected dogs will need to be hospitalized."

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