California sea lion Pasha was in bad shape when he was spotted on a dock. Thankfully, a concerned beachgoer called our hotline to report this starving and lethargic sea lion. Once at our hospital, Pasha immediately started drinking water. Marine mammals generally don’t need to drink water because they receive all their hydration from food sources. This signaled to our experts that he was suffering from leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that affects the kidneys and can be fatal if left untreated. Tests confirmed Pasha’s diagnosis, and he was prescribed antibiotics, fluids and other supportive care. Leptospirosis is a serious disease that can also infect humans and dogs. What our scientists learn from treating patients like Pasha helps us better understand what causes an outbreak, how we can improve treatment for infected animals and how to protect humans as well. After about a month, Pasha recovered and was released to his ocean home with a second chance at life.