Sad.. all pet owners.. PLEASE READ

Last Tuesday our family dog Gizmo started vomiting. We brought him to the vet first thing Wednesday morning and he was diagnosed with Leptospirosis. Its a bacterial disease that humans and animals can catch from urine from infected animals, such as raccoons and squirrels.

The vet said we caught it in the early stages and he was looking pretty good. We were told he had to stay in the hospital for a minimum of 5 days for antibiotic treatment and fluids bc he was dehydrated. He was also showing sign of Jaundice.

This was a new vet because we have not been happy with our previous vet. Let me tell you the office was wonderful, they called several times a day to give us updates on Gizmo.

Saturday he was looking up, the vet said he went out for a walk and his spirits were high.

Sunday night he took a turn for the worst. The vet called at 9:30pm and said that Gizmo wasnt responding to the medicine and he wasnt doing so good. She said that they were doing everything they can and we might have to make a 'decision' soon. My dad said to give him through the night to see how he does and call us in the morning.

My dad called at 9am on Monday morning and the vet informed him that poor little Gizzy just passed away 10 minutes prior. He had kidney failure and his little body couldnt take it anymore.

He was 12 years old but he was a VERY healthy spunky dog.

The reason im posting this to inform all other pet owners that there is a vaccine for this disease!!!! No one in my family has heard of it until now but apparently it is pretty common. Our original vet, who cared for Gizmo for his whole life never informed us about this vaccine either... the NEW vet we just took him to last week knew all about the disease but it was too late for the vaccine
The downside is that it only lasts for approximately 6-8 months, so you will need to get a booster shot every year.

PLEASE look into getting the vaccine. it could have saved my dogs life...

heres a link with more info on LEPTOSPIROSIS
and heres a pic of Gizmo.