the urine of rodents, livestock, or other infected mammals. Dogs MUST be vaccinated yearly against it in areas particularly at risk. But ingestion of contaminated water or exposure to urine from an infected animal puts humans at risk. Los Angeles has been having a major outbreak--yes, LA and some of those infected dogs (with wealthy owners) have had to undergo dialysis at UC-Davis Veterinary School, but many have died regardless. So, yeah, it is damned serious in terms of both kidney and liver damage. And, in recent years, there have been human outbreaks among triathletes swimming in infected lakes (Indiana outbreak comes to mind, but there were others--likely from infected livestock).

Physicians in endemic areas know to look for it in febrile patients with acute renal and liver involvement, but anti-vaxx dog owners may put their owners at risk--yeah, that is happening.

He was a genius mathematician/engineer with serious mental issues. He thought feeding the rats from the restaurant garbage dump was a good idea. He was dead in five days.

It is always there in the background (with a few cases a year) but word is this contaminated water and rising water is a major problem and others are infected.

...and when I got my last pup about 7 years ago I was a vendor at a Farmers Market and the vet suggested i get a lepto shot for my dog as she was going to go along with me. He said that standing water is a culprit...

Still nothing kills the rats faster than a hurricane

On this land of wood and water.
The aquifers are saturated so wTer is rising and drowning homes

My sweet "son" Great Dane Elvis and his sidekick friend (who belonged to a friend) both drank from a puddle on a walk.
Not long after, a matter of days, he became deathly ill and his friend did too.
We were on a remote beach, on an otherwise lovely walk along the path by the shoreline.
We ran tests that the results could do nothing about.
He died a terrible excruciating death with no available healthcare.
His friend, a lovely sweet grey female weimaraner style-doggo died a couple of weeks later with identical symptoms.
Please observe your trail walks, especially in tropical and warm climate areas.

Last edited Sat Nov 15, 2025, 08:26 PM - Edit history (1)

But there were absolutely no resources. By that I mean, no vets, no qualified clinics/hospitals, nothing at all available.
I cried for months and months after that. I still tear up thinking about the circumstances and my desperation.
Until this day it was a hard lesson to learn. My pets stay in my nest where I can access help if needed. I travel often but rarely does it cross my mind to take my pets anywhere. I just have cats today and it is easier. They sure as hell don't want to get in either the carrier or the car.

I was so sad after her death that I said never again - had dogs and cats al my life.

Three decades ago, a kitten literally showed up on the patio and I took her in. Since she died I only look after ferals. I tame the kittens and find homes or take them to the JSPCA for them to find homes.
Like you, pets are family to me.

I found 3 kittens and missed their sibling. Mama feral came and took him.
I kept the 3. They were so bonded. They do well in a room by themselves. I am the caretaker I guess.
Good thing is my cats (I have collected some) and found one in south america I brought him back to the US; ....but they are truly self sufficient.
My puppers liked more interaction and action. It was always a party.
But Kitties? ha! they are delighted when you go away. No medicine, no disruptions to the routine naps. The little ones are more clingy and attention starved but are fine with me going to work for a few days. Just leave a bowl full of kibble and water.. Lots of litter boxes to be cleaned on return.

my bad...

"Son....you're on your own..."