PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona officials are warning pet owners about an increased number of cases of sick dogs caused by the bacteria leptospirosis.
ABC15 (KNXV-TV) reports (https://bit.ly/2lbzRyF ) that the Arizona Department of Agriculture normally sees about four cases of the illness in the Phoenix area a year, but so far there have been more than 40 confirmed cases.
The bacterium is spread through bodily fluids and can live for months in wet soil.
Health officials have not identified where the infections started, but warm pet owners to be cautious with doggy daycare and dog parks.
Veterinarians say pets affected by leptospirosis will be tired, and will likely not eat or drink. The disease is treated by antibiotics but could be deadly if left untreated.
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Information from: KNXV-TV, https://www.abc15.com
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