Fort Dodge Animal Health Announces Leptoinfo.com Now Available to Dog Owners

Overland Park, Kan.– Fort Dodge Animal Health, a division of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE), today announced it has added a dog owners’ section on www.leptoinfo.com, a Web site dedicated to providing information and resources to veterinarians and pet owners about Leptospirosis, a growing canine health threat.

Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease of dogs, multiple animal species and humans that occurs in countries around the world, including the United States. Once a disease that primarily affected dogs living in rural areas, leptospirosis is now considered a threat to dogs in suburban and urban settings, perhaps due to increased opportunity for contact with wildlife(1), a common carrier of leptospirosis. It is spread through the urine of an infected animal and most dogs that venture outdoors are at risk for leptospirosis.

The new section on leptoinfo.com is specifically designed to help educate dog owners and answer many common questions about leptospirosis. While on the site, dog owners can find out how to protect their dogs, information about the disease, signs of illness, prevention strategies and a list of frequently asked questions.

“Many pet owners are unaware of the serious danger leptospirosis poses to dogs or that any dog that spends time outdoors could be susceptible,” says Tom Lenz, DVM, MS, DACT, Vice President of Professional Services, Fort Dodge Animal Health. “I encourage all dog owners to speak with their veterinarian about this disease, as it can be prevented through vaccination.”

In addition to information about how leptospirosis can affect dogs, the site helps educate pet owners about the risks the disease can pose to humans. “As the risks of leptospirosis continue to increase, so does the need for education, especially among dog owners who may not be aware leptospirosis is not only a threat to their dog, but to their family as well,” says Dr. Lenz.