Page 12 - Martin Downs Bulletin - September '22

Page 12, Martin Downs

tip of the tail

Leptospirosis The clinical signs of leptospirosis are variable and fluid therapy. Potential long-term complications include

nonspecific. Common symptoms include fever, vomiting, chronic kidney failure and chronic hepatitis.
diarrhea, abdominal pain, anorexia, depression, weakness, Infected animals can shed the bacteria in their urine for
and muscle pain. These symptoms usually occur within one weeks or months, which is a serious concern for humans
to two weeks of exposure, but can be as short as two days and other animals that may be exposed to the urine. Strict
or as long as four weeks. Occasionally, infected animals do protocols should be utilized to prevent the spread of this
not exhibit any symptoms. In severe cases, kidney failure disease, including wearing protective clothing and using
and/or liver failure can occur. Without proper treatment, proper disinfecting techniques. These protocols should be
leptospirosis can be fatal. practiced at the animal hospital where the infected animal
Blood testing is usually needed to definitely diagnose is being treated, as well as at the home where the infected
leptospirosis. The most commonly used blood test will animal lives.
detect antibodies against Leptospira. While a positive Fortunately, for dogs, vaccines are available for the
diagnosis can occur with one test, oftentimes a second prevention of leptospirosis. The best vaccine contains four
antibody level will need to be checked two to four weeks Leptospira serovars. Vaccines do not provide 100 percent
later to confirm a four-fold increase in antibody level. protection against leptospirosis known serovars, and the
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that can affect Vaccination may interfere with blood testing, as vaccines vaccines do not completely cross-protect against all serovars.
humans and animals, including dogs and, rarely, cats. stimulate the body to produce antibodies, which can result Vaccination does reduce urine shedding of the bacteria, which
Leptospirosis is caused by the bacteria, Leptospira, which in a false-positive test result. Occasionally, a diagnosis is important to controlling the spread of the disease. This and
is classified into subtypes called serovars. Currently, over of leptospirosis can be established through microscopic preventing the disease is why it is important to have your
200 serovars of Leptospira have been named. examination of the urine. Unfortunately, this type of urine canine vaccinated yearly against leptospirosis.
Leptospirosis is most commonly spread through the urine test is not readily available to most animal hospitals, and Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center
of infected animals. Contaminated urine can enter water and the bacteria are only intermittently shed in the urine; so is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your
soil, where it survives for weeks to months. Leptospirosis diagnosis in this manner can be difficult. pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery,
can be contracted from drinking contaminated water, through Treatment for leptospirosis relies on the use of antibiotics, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine,
contact of skin or mucous membranes with contaminated which are usually administered for two weeks. Because of extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City
water or soil, or through direct exposure to infected urine. the risk of kidney failure, intravenous fluids are critical Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical
Many animals are responsible for spreading leptospirosis, to ensure adequate blood flow to the potentially damaged care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners.
including wildlife, such as rodents, raccoons, and opossums, kidneys. Prognosis varies and depends on the severity of For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit www.
as well as farm animals, including cattle, pigs, horses, sheep, organ damage. Survival rates are reported to be 80 to 90 palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
and goats. percent for animals treated with appropriate antibiotics and at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
ClevelanD CliniC Martin health neWs

Relief For Severe Acid Chronic Reflux And Barrett’s Esophagus It uses the same injection method to elevate the lesion, but
Reflux, Gallstones And Other Chronic acid reflux is one of the most common conditions instead uses a cautery knife to meticulously remove the lesion.
Gallstones And More
that can be diagnosed and treated endoscopically. It occurs
Digestive Disorders when the lower esophageal sphincter opens spontaneously, The biliary system includes the liver, gallbladder, and
allowing food and stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. pancreas and a network of tubular structures called ducts that
Advanced Care For Better Digestive Health “Gastroesophageal connect them to the small intestine. Biliary diseases, such as
reflux disease (GERD), the gallstones, affect some 20 million women and men nationally.
Digestive health relies on a complex system of organs severe form of acid reflux, “Advanced imaging technology has expanded the visual
to turn the food we eat into the nutrients and energy can damage the esophagus field, which allows us to see far greater details of the upper
our bodies need to survive. Some of the most common and increase the risk of digestive tract and the intricate anatomy of the biliary system,”
digestive complaints, such as acid reflux and gallstones, esophageal cancer, if left says Dr. Ngo. “That’s important because if we can’t see it,
occur in the upper digestive tract and the accessory organs untreated,” says Benjamin we can’t treat it.”
that support digestion, including the liver, gallbladder Ngo, M.D., a board certified EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound) is an imaging test
and pancreas. Today advanced endoscopic techniques are gastroenterologist with that combines ultrasound technology with endoscopy.
used to care for patients with digestive disorders without Cleveland Clinic Martin During the exam, a special endoscope with ultrasound
open surgery. Health. An estimated 20 technology at the tip is passed through the throat into
“During upper endoscopy, we pass a flexible tube percent of people in the the abdomen, where the endosonographic images help
with a camera on the end down through a patient’s United States are believed to visualize the bile ducts, pancreas, gallbladder and liver.
throat to examine and treat suffer from GERD. “EUS is particularly useful for the diagnosis and staging
conditions of the esophagus, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health offers a number of of pancreatic cancer,” notes Dr. Ngo.
stomach and the biliary advanced treatments for acid reflux-related disorders, ERCP (Endoscopic Retr ograde
system,” explains board including Barrett’s esophagus, which appears as lesions on Cholangiopancreatography) is another imaging test
certified gastroenterologist the surface of the esophagus. that uses an endoscope and X-rays to view an injectable
Tolga Erim, D.O., regional EMR (Endoscopic Mucosal Resection) is one of the dye as it travels through the pancreatic and bile ducts.
director of endoscopy for most successful techniques for removing surface lesions ERCP helps diagnose and treat gallstones, inflamed
Cleveland Clinic Florida, on the esophagus. It involves raising the lesion, either gallbladders, bile duct blockages, pancreatitis, pancreatic
which includes Cleveland with an injection of a solution from underneath or with cancer and other conditions.
Clinic Martin Health, suctioning from above, and then removing it with a wire To learn more about advanced care available for the
Cleveland Clinic Indian loop tool called a snare. upper digestive tract at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, visit
River Hospital, and Cleveland ESD (Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection) is a newer ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Digestive, or call (844) 630-4968
Clinic Weston Hospital. technique that is used to remove a larger lesion in one piece. to schedule a consultation.

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