Heartbroken family issue warning after healthy terrier dies from rare disease

A couple left heartbroken after their healthy dog died after contracting a rare disease spread through rat urine are warning other pet owners. Sandi and Lewis Nicholls’ made the difficult decision to have Benny, their Parson Russell Terrier, put down less than a week after he fell unwell.

Vets at Rowe Veterinary Group in Bradley Stoke told the couple that their 12-year-old dog had contracted a bacterial infection called leptospirosis, which caused organ failure - and they said it was one of several cases they had seen in the Bristol area.

The disease can be picked up from stagnant water or in fresh water such as lakes and rivers which have become contaminated with the urine of affected rats. Both Sandi and Lewis believe Benny caught the disease from Siston Brook.

The couple would take Benny for his daily walks down to the river from their home in Oldland Common. Now they want to warn other dog owners of the disease.

“It was just so quick,” said Sandi, aged 54, “he was such a robust, healthy dog we couldn’t believe how fast his health detoriated, and the problem was we didn’t know what had caused it.

“He leaves a massive empty hole in our lives. We feel guilty we took him there [Siston Brook], if we hadn’t moved to the area we would never have taken him there. It is so upsetting, and we don’t want others to go through what we’ve been through.”

It started on Tuesday, September 27, when Benny became unwell with what the couple thought was a virus. He had diarrhea and was acting lethagic, so they fed him stable foods such as chicken and rice.

When his condition did not improve, Sandi took him to Oldland House Veterinary Surgery where she was also told it was likely to be a virus. Antibiotics and antisickness treatment was given along with paste to add to his food.

And it appeared that on Friday Benny’s condition had improved. But on Saturday morning, the dog was obviously unwell again.

“He could barely move,” said Sandi, “he sat in the garden for an hour - I knew something was up.” She then took Benny to Rowe Veterinary Group in Bradley Stoke where tests revealed the cause of illness, and the following day the dog was sadly put down.

Since learning about the disease, both Sandi and Lewis have learned that a vaccination can be given to puppies against it. They were also told that if Benny was younger he might have had a greater chance of surviving.

“If people with a dog notice a sickness, go and get it checked by a vet,” said Sandi. “It might cost money, but the sooner you know the better chance you have, especially with a younger dog.

“I hope no-one else goes through what we have been through.”

According to the RSPCA, the symptoms of leptospirosis are vomiting, fever, diarrhoa and letheragy. Owners should contact their pet’s vet if they notice any of these symptoms.

A leptospirosis vaccination can be given as part of its initial puppy vaccinations.