Leishmania

An animal is suspected having Leishmania when one or more of the above symptoms occur. A blood sample will give an almost sure diagnosis and in some cases a lymfnode biopsy is needed to confirm this illness.

What if your dog is infected with Leishmania?

- Is there a risk to your other animals?

The disease is in principle contagious BUT there always has to be a mosquito to transmit the parasite. The risk of getting the disease from your dog is as high as the risk of getting it from a dog on the street or the dog of your neighbours ( because a large part of the dog population is infected).

So it is not necessary to put the dog to sleep.

- Is there a risk for yourself or other people?

The disease occurs also in humans but if you have a normal physical condition the risk of direct transmission from a dog is nil. Only people with an immune-deficiency (leukaemia/AIDS) , babies and elderly have a increased risk of attracting the disease.

What treatment / care does my infected dog need?

Additional blood tests are required to determine the state of other organ systems.
Treatment against Leishmania parasite ( tablets or injections or both)
Treatment for secondary infections/problems.
Regular blood tests will monitor the effect of treatment and possible complications.
Extra vitamins and a special diet will improve the treatment results.

What can you do to prevent your dog from getting Leishmania?

-Blood Screening;

At present we advise to have a regular blood screening test done. In this way we discover early if your dog has been infected by this parasite and start a treatment before symptoms occur.

-Improve General Health Status;

THERE IS A PREVENTIVE COLLAR: SCALIBOR, WHICH REPELS THE SANDFLY AND ALSO PREVENTS FLEA AND TICK INFESTATION.
Unfortunately there is NO PREVENTIVE VACCINE available.
Keep your dog in a good physical condition.
Don't forget the annual vaccinations.
Give the dog worm-tablets every 3 months.
Keep the fur of the dog clean and treat regularly against ectoparasites, especially TICKS and FLEAS.
Keep the dog out of the garden in the evening because then the sandfly is active and the risk of being stung is higher.