Leptospirosis, a highly contagious bacterial disease, has beendiscovered in a large number of sick or dead California sea lionsthat have washed up on Oregon beaches.

“This is a sporadic disease,” Reedsport veterinarian mark Feltonsaid.

“It periodically occurs in any number of animal species, includingrats.”

Right now it is appearing in California sea lions living along theOregon coast.

Leptospirosis spreads through direct contact with the urine of aninfected sea lion. Dogs running freely on the beach are atparticular risk because they can easily come in contact with aninfected sea lion, or the damp sand, soil or vegetation around theanimal.

“It is very hard to diagnose this disease because the symptoms aresimilar to those of other diseases,” Felton said.

“It takes a lot of specialized testing to determine if the diseaseis present. Dogs, people, or any animal that contracts the diseasemay become deathly ill. Leptospirosis affects the whole bodyincluding the liver and kidneys.

“Fortunately, leptospirosis responds to simple antibiotics such aspenicillin and amoxicillin.”

“Leptospirosis is similar to Lyme’s Disease in some ways,” he said.”Even though an animal will get over the disease itself, it maydevelop weird immune issues later on.”

Dogs can be vaccinated for leptospirosis, but the vaccine does notcreate an immunity for all strains of the disease.

“Getting your dog vaccinated is important,” Felton said.

“It may not cover all types of leptospirosis, but it will providesome protection for your dog.”

The immunity for leptospirosis is short-lived, so it is importantto have your dogs vaccinated once a year against the disease.

Before allowing your dog to run freely on the beach, veterinariansadvise using some common sense.

n Look carefully for any sick or dead animals lying on the beachbefore you let your dog run free. if any are present, keep your dogon a leash.

n Do not go near animals washed up on the beach. You, too, canbecome infected with leptospirosis.

n The incubation period for leptospirosis is one week. if you thinkyour dog has come in contact with an infected animal, contact yourveterinarian.

n Report any dead or sick marine mammals that have washed up onOregon beaches to the Oregon State Police at 800-452-7888.

Staff writer Deborah Yates can be reached , or 1-541-271-7474, ext. 206.