In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews three distinguished experts from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dr. Sally Slavinski, Kevin Lovingood, and Caroline Bragdon to talk about the increase of the bacterial disease leptospirosis in dogs. Tune in as they discuss:
· The increase of leptospirosis cases in NYC dogs
· What causes leptospirosis and what species can contract it?
· How cases of leptospirosis are diagnosed, counted, and tracked
· The health problems leptospirosis causes in dogs and how this disease is treated
· The role rat management, vaccines, and other strategies play in reducing cases of leptospirosis
· How access to veterinary care can limit the ability to track leptospirosis
· The impact of climate change on the dynamics of this and other diseases
· Can humans contract leptospirosis from dogs?
Also on this month's show:
· Viral trending animal story about Flaco, the Eurasian Eagle-Owl who escaped from the Central Park Zoo in February 2023, but sadly passed away after colliding with a building
· Animal news, including the story of a stingray named Charlotte who mysteriously became pregnant
· Pet Health Listener Q&A
Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.