b'In 2005, 44 out of 192 adventure racers in Tampa (23% ofthe participants) caught Leptospirosis from running throughswampy water. There was an earlier outbreak in Illinois in s\x00Medicine s\x00Surgery s\x00Dentistry Triathlon runners. Dogs can contract it directly from con- s\x00Boarding s\x00Bathing taminated water as well. s\x00Veterinary AcupunctureGiven the large population of potential wildlife carriers s\x00Traditional Chinese Medicineand the difficulty in diagnosing the disease early, prevention 727.733.9351is a more prudent approach in the areas where Leptospirosis 1 Gregory Todd, D.V.M.is a risk. The older vaccines (1970s and 80s) carried a higherrisk of vaccine reaction and only covered two strains. Because FIRSTPatrick Hafner, D.V.M.of this, they had fallen out of favor in that era and were used EXAMWade Matthews, D.V.M.only in the higher risk rural areas. Leptospirosis was labeled $ NEW PATIENTa non-core vaccine to use only for at risk populations. But Includes comprehensiveChristen Woodley, D.V.M.physical exam and oneHeather Manfredi, D.V.M.the definition of which dogs are at risk seems to have shifted vaccine.significantly in the last decade or two. The rural outdoor large Michael Bartholomew, D.V.M.breed dog that was the poster child for Leptospirosis in 1985 1355 Pinehurst Rd., Dunedin|www.AHofD.comisnowafluffysuburbanorurbanShih TzuorCockerSpaniel.We currently have Leptospirosis vaccines that pro- Does not include 3 year Rabies vaccine. Coupon may not be combined with any other offer.tect for four strains. They have a much lower risk of vaccinereaction than the older vaccinesand are more highly puri-fied as vaccine manufacturing technology has evolved overthe last 30 years.Some internists believe that even thoughourcurrentvaccinesonlycoverfouroftheLeptospiraserovars, there may be cross-reactivity and some protectionfrom the other infective strains as well. Leptospirosis is veryuncommon in vaccinated dogs, regardless of the strain orserovar of Leptospira bacteria involved. It is a series of twodoses given three to four weeks apart and then yearly boosters. If your pet tends to be sensitive to vaccines and youreworried they may react, have this administered separate fromany other injectable vaccines. The more vaccines given inone day, the higher the risk of a vaccine reaction, regardlessof which specific vaccinations are given.GiventhechangesinLeptopsirosisoverthelastfewdecades, from the shifts in which strains are causing diseaseandthepopulationsofdogsbeingaffected,itistimetorethink our approach to managing this dangerous disease.The vaccines are more protective and less reactive than everbefore and our suburban house dogs are at a higher risk thanwe believed possible even twenty years ago.If your dog is not already protected from Leptospirosis, A FULL-SERVICE VETERINARY HOSPITAL AND BOARDING FACILITY, it may be time for a conversation with your veterinarian PROVIDING MEDICAL AND SURGICAL CARE FOR COMPANION ANIMALS.about the risk factors in your specific area and whether vac-cination is appropriate for your beloved dogs. I can assureyou that mine are vaccinated against this potentially deadlydisease. Raccoons, opossums and citrus rats are rampant inmy suburban neighborhood and the risk of potential expo-sure is real. And all too scary to ignore.UOur pain management and Y Dr. Elizabeth Baird is the owner and senior veterinarian rehab center treats painful conditions1412 Belcher Road of Country Oaks Animal Hospital & Kennel and Steele varying from the chronic pain of advanced arthritis to cancer pain Pain Management & Rehabilitation Center in Palm and postoperative discomfort.Palm HarborHarbor. In addition to her general practice, Dr. Baird is a ELIZABETH F. BAIRD, DVM, CCVP, CCRT, CVMACCVP,727.785.6524CERTIFIED IN PAIN MANAGEMENT, T,Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner, Certified Canine REHABILITATION ACUPUNCTURE.Rehabilitation Therapist and is also certified in VeterinaryFOR HELPFUL TIPS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITES AT Medical Acupuncture. 727.785.6524 COUNTRYOAKSANIMALHOSPITAL.COMAND STEELEPAINCENTER.COMwww.TheNewBarker.com Spring 2016 THE NEW BARKER 59'