If your dog shows symptoms of this disease, seek veterinary advice as soon as possible

Dog owners are encouraged to stay vigilant for the symptoms of a ' serious zoonotic disease ' that can spread from pets to humans . While the illness is relatively uncommon in the UK, outbreaks usually occur in connection with rainfall and flooding , which are more frequent at this time of year.

The infection of focus is leptospirosis - a serious and potentially fatal disease caused by bacterial strains known as Leptospira. In dogs , this can circulate through the bloodstream before settling in the kidneys and liver.

Veterinary experts at PDSA explain that this condition can cause several distressing symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, jaundice, difficulty breathing and letha

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