Dog
leishmaniasis
Dog leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease, found throughout the Mediterranean, including in the South of America . With global warming, the disease tends to spread, but cases remain rare north of USA.
Canine leishmaniasis: transmission
Leishmaniasis is a vector parasitic disease, which means it is caused by a parasite (Leishmania infantum) that is transmitted to the dog by the bite of a vector insect: a gnat called phlebotomy. Leishmaniasis is therefore not a contagious disease: the dog cannot transmit the disease directly to another dog.
Canine leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease, that is, it can be transmitted to humans. The cycle is as follows: the phlebotomy stings the sick dog, contaminates itself with the parasite Leishmania infantum, and then can contaminate the human being by pricking it in turn.
What are the Leishmaniasis symptoms in dogs :
Leishmaniasis remains difficult to detect because symptoms are highly variable. We're talking about a protean disease. The most common symptoms are:
· increase in the size of lymph nodes, or polyadenomegaly;
· loss of muscle mass
· ulcers and nodules on the skin;
· eye problems
· kidney disease.
How to prevent Canine leishmaniasis :
No treatment is available for canine leishmaniasis. It is possible to relieve the animal and slow the progression of the disease, but it cannot be cured. Also, the treatment is expensive and should be applied for life. The best way to fight the disease is therefore to prevent phlebotomies.
Avoid phlebotomy stings :
To avoid bites by phlebotomy, it is advisable to keep dogs indoors at night, since midges are more active at nightfall.
It is also important to avoid leaving standing water in gardens, or under flower pots, as phlebotomy larvae tend to grow there.
Use anti-parasitic treatments :
Dogs that live in the south of USA, and those who travel there, must be treated with external pest control that is effective against phlebotomy. There are in the form of pipettes to put directly on the skin, spray, or necklace.
The protection lasts only a few weeks and therefore needs to be renewed regularly. Your veterinarian can tell you the best protection for your pet.
Vaccinate your pet :
There is a specific vaccine against leishmaniasis, which is recommended only to dogs that live in the area at risk . Before vaccinating the dog, it is checked that it does not carry the disease through a blood test.
The protocol then consists of 3 injections with a 3-week interval between each injection and a booster each year. This vaccine is made remotely from other dog vaccines and puppies must be more than 6 months old at the first injection.
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