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Media Relations
Kansas State University
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6415
media@k-state.edu
Information provided by K-State Media Relations, K-State's news service, may be reproduced without permission. The marks and names of Kansas State University are protected trademarks and may not be used in any commercial or private endeavor without the approval of the university.

Source: Ken Harkin, associate professor, Kansas State University

RADIO REPORT: 1 Wrap
1 Actuality

You have selected a report on Leptospirosis -- a disease that affects mostly dogs during the rainy spring months. The wrap and sound bite follow in 3,2,1…

WRAP 1: Symptoms and treatment of Leptospirosis
TIME :58

SUGGESTED INTRO: April showers not only bring May flowers, but they can also bring in a deadly disease called Leptospirosis. A professor at Kansas State University says although there are many varieties of this bacteria, two of the varieties are primarily responsible for the disease in dogs. Lanice Thomson reports . . .

ALTHOUGH FOUND IN A FEW CATS, LEPTOSPIROSIS AFFECTS MAINLY DOGS – AND MOSTLY DURING THE RAINY SPRING MONTHS. DR. KEN HARKIN, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY’S COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, SAYS LEPTOSPIROSIS IS BASICALLY ACCUTE KIDNEY FAILURE . . .

(Harkin :15 “ . . .accute onset of depression and lethargy and vomiting. They may have some abdominal pain; they may develop icterus or jaundice. That’s kind of the classic finding of Leptospirosis. It’s just acute kidney failure.”)

HARKIN ADDS IF CAUGHT EARLY, PROGNOSIS IS GOOD . . .

(Harkin :17 Most dogs within three to four days of appropriate fluid therapy and antibiotic therapy completely resolve their kidney failure. Dogs that are not presented in a timely fashion to the veterinarian for vomiting, lethargy and depression -- those dogs have a far worse outcome.”

HARKIN SAYS THE DISEASE IS SPREAD THROUGH THE URINE OF INFECTED ANIMALS. LANICE THOMSON, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY.

ACTUALITY 1: Leptospirosis found in wet, rainy season
TIME :16

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Each year, the rainy spring season brings in a disease called Leptospirosis. This disease is caused by spiral-shaped bacterium that is related to the same type of bacteria that causes Lyme disease and syphilis. Although there are numerous varieties, two varieties are primarily responsible for the disease in dogs. Dr. Ken Harkin, associate professor at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, explains Leptospirosis. The sound bite is 16 seconds and follows in 3, 2, 1. . .

(Harkin :16 “Anytime you have a lot of wet, rainy weather that’s not too hot, you certainly have a risk of seeing more Leptospirosis. Leptospirosis should always be high on your concern list if your dog develops acute kidney failure and they need to be tested and treated appropriately.”)

Harkin says the vaccine is not usually given in standard vaccinations, but you can request it from your veterinarian. Harkin says the disease is found all over the world. In the United States, it’s found most often on the east and west coasts.