All about Leishmaniasis
What is Leishmaniasis?
Leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in our region caused by a parasite called Leishmania infantum.
The dog is the main host of the disease, although it can affect other species such as cats, foxes, rodents and humans. Dogs become carriers of the disease through the bite of the phlebotome. Some animals remain asymptomatic and others develop symptoms, usually 1 to 2 months after inoculation.
However, it can take years for an infected animal to show signs of the disease.
Leishmaniasis: the first clinical signs
The most common signs of the disease include
- Onychogryphosis (excessive nail growth)
- Nasal hyperkeratosis
- Periocular alopecia
- Exfoliative dermatitis (very common on the tips of the ears) and ulcerative dermatitis (mucocutaneous joints, localised or generalised).
These signs are the most easily identified by the owners and are often the reason for a consultation.
However, an increase in lymph nodes, weight loss and joint pain are also signs that usually appear at an early stage of the disease.
Some animals develop kidney, liver and/or gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, anaemia, splenomegaly and pyrexia are common, as well as neurological signs and osteolytic lesions at a more advanced stage of the disease.
Diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis usually involves a combination of clinical examinations, serological tests (such as ELISA and IFI) to detect antibodies against the parasite, and laboratory analyses (such as cytology or biopsy) to identify the presence of the parasite in the animal’s tissues.
Is there treatment for leishmaniasis?
There is treatment for leishmaniasis, but only in some cases do we achieve a cure and there may be relapses during treatment.
Treating canine leishmaniasis can be challenging and usually involves long-term medication therapy to control symptoms and reduce the parasite load. The most common drugs include pentavalent antimonials, such as N-methyl-glucamine antimoniate, and other immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory medication.
Generally speaking, the treatment can involve taking pills, syrups and injections, as well as veterinary and analytical monitoring.
It is a lengthy and expensive treatment, so prevention is very important.
It is a lengthy and expensive treatment, so prevention is very important.
The prevention of canine leishmaniasis is fundamental and can include measures such as the use of insect repellent collars, environmental insecticides to reduce the mosquito population, avoiding infected areas during periods of peak vector activity and, very importantly, vaccination.
Therefore, preventing leishmaniasis in your dog is important for several reasons:
- Your dog’s well-being: Canine leishmaniasis can cause serious and debilitating signs in dogs, including weight loss, weakness, skin lesions, anaemia, eye and joint problems, and even kidney failure. Preventing the disease helps ensure your pet’s health and well-being.
- Cost of treatment: The treatment of leishmaniasis in dogs can be prolonged and expensive, involving long-term medication, frequent veterinary examinations and special care. Investing in preventative measures can help avoid the financial costs associated with treating the disease.
- Risk to humans: Although leishmaniasis is primarily a canine disease, infected dogs can serve as carriers of the parasite and contribute to the transmission of the disease to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. By protecting your dog, you also help protect your family and community from the disease.
- Emotional impact: Watching your dog suffer from the signs of leishmaniasis can be emotionally distressing. In addition, managing the disease can require intensive care and constant attention, affecting the emotional wellbeing of both dog and owner.
- Prevention is easier than treatment: While treating leishmaniasis can be challenging and not always successful, prevention is relatively simple and effective. Preventative measures, such as the use of insect repellent collars and environmental insecticides, can significantly reduce the risk of infection in your dog, thus avoiding the suffering and inconvenience associated with the disease.
Leishmaniasis and its impact on public health
Although canine leishmaniasis is a disease that mainly affects dogs, infected dogs can serve as reservoirs of the parasite and contribute to the transmission of the disease to humans. Therefore, the control of canine leishmaniasis also plays an important role in preventing the disease in humans in endemic areas.
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