Jerry Green Dog Rescue looks for new home for Labrador Bernie - and raises awareness of Leptospirosis

In this week's Man's Best Friend column, Jerry Green Dog Rescue appeals for a new home for Bernie - and raises awareness of Leptospirosis...

Hello everyone, I am an active chappie looking for a family that will give me all the cuddles and attention I deserve.

I love toys, my favourite things to play with are tennis balls. I always greet my friends with a toy in my mouth!

I would love to have access to a secure garden where I can play with my favourite toys and if you have a spare spot on your sofa I would love to claim it for myself! I have had a bit of a rough start in life.

Although I am a spoilt boy now, I do carry the damage from my previous life and have some scarring on my back legs which has caused some bold patches, sadly these patches might not ever be fluffy again.

I may need a few visits here at the centre before I move in, just to make sure that we can be best of friends - so it would be helpful if you didn’t live too far away! But I do like to travel in the car so it is not much of an issue for me.

I can be happily left for two-three hours once I am settled in my new home but I do kindly ask if my forever home could be calm and with adults over the age of 18, providing we get on well when meeting at the centre first.

If you have a Bernie shaped size missing from your heart then please get in touch with my friends at the South Lincolnshire centre on 01205 260546 or email them at slincs@jerrygreendogs.org.uk. I’ll be waiting to hear from you, love and licks, Bernie x

What is Leptospirosis?

Why are vaccinations important? They protect your dog against a number of diseases, one of which is Leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is a very serious disease which is often fatal in dogs. It is spread through contact with contaminated water, urine or an infected dog, entering the body through the mouth, nose or open wounds.

The bacteria causes damage to major organs, such as the liver and kidneys, and causes symptoms such as fever, jaundice, muscle pain, weakness, increased thirst, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, mouth ulcers and bleeding from the mouth and eyes.

If symptoms are only mild and caught early, a vet may be able to give antibiotics and fluids to fight the bacteria and treat the symptoms and the dog may recover however, dogs often die in the early stages of the disease or become so poorly as the disease progresses that it is kinder to put them to sleep.

Dogs which spend a lot of time in the countryside are more likely to come into contact with the bacteria, for example in contaminated livestock urine or rodent urine.

If your dog is partial to swimming in rivers, lakes and ponds they may be at a higher risk too as the bacteria can survive in freshwater for a number of months.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from dogs to people, you may know it as Weil’s disease.

The easiest way to reduce your dog’s risk of contracting Leptospirosis is to keep your dog up to date with its vaccinations.

This protects your dog against some of the main strains of Leptospira bacteria but needs topping up annually.

As always, if you are worried about Leptospirosis or would like more information on your dog’s vaccinations, please speak to your vet.