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Leishmaniasis
Oscar Cortadellas Rodríguez
DVM, PhD, Acred. AVEPA Medicina Interna
Clínica Veterinaria Germanias, Gandía, Valencia
oscar@vetgermanias.com
LEISHMANIASIS 2012: WHAT’S NEW????
What’s leshmaniasis???
Canine leishmaniasis is a severe protozoal disease caused by Leishmania spp
and transmited by sandflies.
The disease is endemic in the Mediterrean basin. In our area the prevalence of
infected animals can range between 10-60%.
Not all infected dogs develop clinical illness. Some dogs are resistant to the
disease and are able to eliminate the parasite by themselves, without
presenting clinical symptoms.
Another dogs remain infected but asymptomatic for months or even years; but
these animals can develop the disease in situations that implicate a
compromise of the immune system.
Finally, there are dogs that are sensible to the parasite and show the typical
clinical signs of the disease. These include fever, weight loss, anorexia,
cutaneous problems, conjunctivitis and chronic kidney failure. Without an
adequate treatment these dogs will eventually die or will be euthanized as a
consequence of leishmaniasis.
Fortunately, a majority of dogs with leishmaniasis can be successfully treated.
With treatment many of these dogs will remain clinically healthy for several
years, carrying an absolutely normal life. However, reinfections and relapses
can occur, so periodical veterinary examinations are warranted.
What can I do to protect my dog??
To avoid disease transmission:
-Use sandfly repellents regularly
-Keep your dog indoors from sunset till sunrise; sandflies use to bite at
night
Once the dog has been bitten:
-Recently, a vaccine against leishmaniasis has been launched into the
European market. According to the information provided by the manufacturer,
the vaccine reduces the chance of developing clinical leishmaniasis in dogs that
are bitten by the sandfly. The proposed vaccination calendar is as follows:
1st: Perform a blood test to detect is the dog is already infected.
Nowadays, only non-infected dogs are considered candidates to
receive the vaccine
2nd: Three doses of the vaccine must be administered during the
first year; the interval between doses is 3 weeks. Then, a booster
dose is administered every year, starting a year after the 3rd initial
dose.
-On the other hand a new oral immunostimulant treatment is also
available. The manufacturer states that it can be used both; to treat clinically ill
dogs and to prevent the development of clinical disease in dogs that have been
bitten but have no clinical signs of the disease.
In summary……………..
Not all dogs dogs infected with leishmaniasis develop clinical signs
Not all dogs dogs infected with leishmaniasis need to be treated
Treatment allows to reach clinical cure in many occasions, but
reinfections and relapses can occur.
Preventive measures include sandfly repellents, vaccination and
immunostimulants
If you would like to get more information don’t hesitate to contact us.
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