La canine leishmaniasis is one of most dangerous diseases that dogs can have, to the point that can end up being deadly for them if it is not detected in time. In addition, it can also affect humans, and the worst thing is that it is endemic in many regions, such as South America, the Mediterranean region, Africa and Asia.
It is a disease that It is transmitted through the bite of a sandflyWhen the sandfly bites the animal, inoculates the Leishmania parasite in your body. It may take time to know that our friend has been infected, so it is important to know how to prevent canine leishmaniasis, since no vaccine capable of curing it has been developed so far. There is no contagion by direct contact between dogs or from dogs to people: the vector is essential for transmission.
There is no cure for leishmaniasis, but it does it can be prevented easily if we take a series of measures, such as:
- Before the good weather starts, give your dog a Scalibor necklace mosquito repellent that you will find in veterinary clinics. This is especially important if you live in an area where it is endemic. The efficiency is 95%.
- Likewise, you can also put a repellent pipetteAlthough it is not as effective as the necklace (its effectiveness is around 85%), it can help.
- Take your friend for a walk during the day (between 8 and 17-18h), since at night is when mosquitoes are most active.
- It's advisable place mosquito nets, whose holes are tiny, in the windows and doors.
Today we also have a vaccine to prevent leishmaniasis, with very high efficacy (up to 99% depending on the product and study). In some guidelines three first doses are administered, with a three-week interval between vaccinations, and from the second year onwards, an annual vaccination is given; in others, the initial schedule is different depending on the vaccine available. price is indicative and may vary by clinic and product, and only those dogs that can be vaccinated are not infected.
If you suspect that your dog has problems, do not hesitate to take him to the vet.
What is leishmaniasis and how is it transmitted?
Leishmania infantum It is a protozoan parasite that lives inside the host's cells. The vector is the sandflies (small “mosquitoes” with crepuscular and nocturnal activity) and Without its bite there is no contagionThey prefer temperate temperatures, humid areas rich in organic matter (cracks, roots, leaf litter). In many Mediterranean countries, their presence is widespread and growing due to factors environmental and climatic.
Warning symptoms and incubation period
From the bite to the first signs can pass 4-6 months (wide range of 3 to 18 months). Not all dogs show the same thing: some have skin lesions initials; others, general signs.
- Nonspecific symptoms: apathy, muscle atrophy, episodes of fever, excessive tearing, limping without apparent cause.
- Most suggestive signs: onychogryphosis (long nails), alopecia and ulcers in the ears and around the eyes, thinning, enlarged lymph nodes, epistaxis.
If it progresses uncontrolled, it can affect kidney, spleen and liver (visceral leishmaniasis) seriously compromising the life of the animal.
Comprehensive prevention: repellents, habits and environment
The most effective strategy is combine methods to avoid being bitten:
- External repellents: collars with pyrethroids and spot-onSome collars have shown very high efficiencies in the laboratory; using them continuously reduces the risk of transmission and also in already infected dogs limits the risk of a sandfly becoming infected when bitten.
- Schedules and locations: avoid dawn and dusk and humid areas (channels, irrigation, dense vegetation) during periods of activity. Ensure that sleep inside from home or in protected areas with fine mesh mosquito nets.
- Environment: reduces organic matter (garbage, leaves), seals cracks and improves the sewer system of the plot or yard. In sheds, it values contact paints/insecticides indicated by your veterinarian.
- Year-round protection: In areas with a prolonged active vector, it is advisable to maintain repellents continuously. If you travel, protects before displacement.
- Periodic checkups: in endemic areas, it is carried out serological tests or PCR regularly (annually and, if the risk is high, semi-annually) for early detection.
- Immune support: your veterinarian can assess domperidone (specific immunomodulatory drugs) in certain cases to enhance the cellular response.
- Responsible reproduction: since they exist rare non-vectorial pathways (vertical and sexual), the sterilization can be seen in risk contexts.
Available vaccines and their role
anti-leishmaniasis vaccines They do not prevent infection 100%, but reduce risk and clinical progression. They are recommended for dogs that live or travel to endemic areas and should be administered only if the test is negativeThe initial pattern and reinforcements depend on the vaccine (some require three initial doses and others a different schedule). They should used together with repellents to maximize protection.
Early diagnosis and monitoring
The vet will combine physical exploration with tests such as serology (IFI, ELISA), PCR and in some cases, cytology or biopsy. Blood tests and proteinogram help assess inflammation, antibodies and the impact on kidney and liver. In dogs exposed to or living with positive dogs, it is advisable periodic control.
Treatment when there is a positive diagnosis
The treatment is pharmacological and customized according to parasitic load and organ function. Combinations such as Allopurinol (parasitostatic) with meglumine antimoniate o miltefosine, among others. Requires regular check-ups and sometimes specific diets to support the kidneyMany patients progress to a controlled chronic state with a good quality of life. Even if the dog gets better, it must stay protected with repellents to prevent reinfections and cut off transmission.
Key questions
- Does it infect people? It is a zoonosis, but transmission to humans requires sandfliesThere is no transmission through caresses, saliva, or normal social interaction.
- When is there most risk? En temperate periods and humid areas, especially when dawn/duskThe activity may be extended depending on the local climate.
- Is there any use for just one method? The best protection is the combined strategy: repellents + habits + environment + vaccine (if applicable) + veterinary checks.
Take care of the environment, choose the right times to walk, use quality repellents, value the vaccination and do periodic tests These are the keys that make the difference in keeping your dog safe from leishmaniasis.
