Animal lovers were put on alert today as a vet warned five dogs have died of a killer disease spread by last month's floods.

Doctors have warned the leptospirosis infection, caused by infected rat's urine, can also be fatal in humans.

When floods hit York, Ryedale and Stamford Bridge many children and adults, unaware that drains in affected areas had backed up, walked through and even played in the water, increasing their contact with the disease, known as Weil's Disease in humans.

So far there have been no reports of an increase in the disease in humans in North Yorkshire but heath bosses are monitoring the situation closely.

Vets are urging owners to take their pets for a check-up if they have any concerns, and doctors have issued warnings for people to take care near flooded water.

Liz Vaughn, a vet at the Mount Vet Group, at Malton, says dogs which come into contact with floodwaters are at serious risk.

"We know that five dogs in the Ryedale area have died as a result and we have had one case of a pregnant dog losing all its puppies," she said.

"It affects the liver. Dogs become jaundiced and lethargic and start to vomit; if it isn't treated they will die.

"We want to urge pet owners to bring their pets in for a check up and to be vaccinated."

Andy Fortsyth, a vet with Battle Flatts clinic, Stamford Bridge, said they had so far not had any cases of the disease. He stressed it was possible to vaccinate against it.

Adrian Watson, principal environmental health officer for City of York Council, said the disease was unlikely to affect many humans but there still could be a risk.

"We are not aware of any big increase in Weil's disease though it will be a number of months before we get the figures through," he said.

Dr Phil Kirby, of the public health section of North Yorkshire Health Authority, said there were no reported increases in the disease, but urged people to be cautious when coming into contact with floodwater.

"Dogs are more likely to become infected simply because they tend to drink the water which they go in," he said.

"No sensible person would drink the water; however it is important for people who have been in contact with floodwater to wash their hands and use basic hygiene."

Early symptoms of Weil's Disease include fever, chills, muscular aches and pains, loss of appetite, and nausea when lying down.

Later symptoms include bruising of the skin, anaemia, sore eyes, nose bleeds and jaundice; the fever lasts for approximately five days, then a significant deterioration follows.

Early treatment of the disease is through antibiotics - but if left untreated, the disease can be fatal.

Newsdesk@ycp.co.uk