‘I am gutted, he was like a support dog’
OWNER’S WARNING AFTER DOG DIES OF RARE DISEASE LINKED TO RAT URINE
THE RSPCA has issued a warning after a dog died from a rare disease that is spread via rat urine.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that causes haemorrhages, organ failure and swelling of the brain and is potentially fatal to dogs and humans.
Dogs which become infected can die within 48 hours.
Liam Heathcote, of Hattersley in Tameside, had to have his dog – an 11-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier called Kiarno – put down last Monday after being diagnosed with the illness.
Mr Heathcote, who was given Kiarno for his 18th birthday, said the dog fell ill last weekend, but by Monday his condition had worsened considerably, so he took him to the RSPCA animal hospital in Eccles.
Sadly there was nothing vets could do and the dog was put down. Mr Heathcote said he was heartbroken by his death and urged other dog owners to be on their guard.
He added: “I am just gutted. I suffer from depression and he was like a support dog for me.
“My dog should have lived for another four or five years. It was completely unexpected, there was no warning.
“I know he was a healthy dog, then in a matter of days I had to put him down.
“The estate has a really bad rat problem. I see them running around all the time.
“It’s been an ongoing problem for a couple of years now. But no-one seems to be doing anything about it and I don’t think people are aware that it can harm your dogs.
“I just want to tell people to be careful and disinfect your gardens if you can – it can kill.”
Dogs can become infected by direct contact – from a rat bite or from eating rats – or via indirect contact, for example by drinking urine-contaminated water. An RSPCA spokesperson said: “Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can cause acute kidney failure and liver disease in dogs. “The early signs can be vague – but they may have a fever, feel lethargic, a loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or a soft cough.
“For anyone worried we would always urge them to take their pet for veterinary checks.” In November the M.E.N. reported how Hattersley was ‘infested’ with large rats and last week it was reported there was a surge in rat sightings in nearby Dukinfield and Hyde.
My dog should have lived for another four or five years, there was no warning
Liam Heathcote