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Leishmaniosis

What is Leishmania?

Leishmania in dogs is caused by the parasite (protozoan) Leishmania donovani. This parasite is transmitted by the sandfly, which is found in countries around the Mediterranean Sea. The sandfly gets its name from its color but has nothing to do with sand. The parasite settles in various parts of the body, mainly in the bone marrow and lymph nodes of the dog.

The sandfly carrying this parasite hides during the day but comes out around sunset — only at high temperatures. Therefore, dogs are most at risk of being bitten between May and October. After the bite, Leishmania enters the dog’s bloodstream.

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What are the symptoms?

Leishmaniasis is a very difficult disease to recognize based on symptoms because it can manifest in many ways. Moreover, a dog can be a carrier of the parasite without ever becoming ill.

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Depending on which organs are affected by Leishmania and the stage of the disease, the following symptoms may occur:

  • Increasing lethargy

  • Weight loss, even with a healthy appetite

  • Pain or discomfort when moving and in the joints

  • Fatigue, sleeping more than usual

  • Anemia (pale mucous membranes)

  • Fever

  • Enlarged lymph nodes

  • Skin problems: dry, flaky, irritated, or bruises

  • Bald patches around ears, nose, and eyes

  • Wounds that heal poorly or not at all

  • Pink, hairless eyelids (chronic eye inflammation)

  • Sores or crusts on skin and paw pads

  • Nosebleeds

  • Diarrhea

  • Abnormal nail growth
     

What is the treatment?

If the disease is detected early, the dog can be treated effectively with an Allopurinol® tablet course. This treatment reduces the symptoms. Some dogs test negative after treatment, but others need to continue the tablet course for life without harmful effects. However, the dog remains a carrier of the disease.

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Therefore, we recommend testing the dog annually at the vet. The medication for Leishmania is fortunately not expensive, and with proper care, a dog with Leishmania can live a happy and long life.

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Is Leishmania contagious?

Leishmania is currently not contagious in the Netherlands because the sandfly does not exist here. The sandfly is necessary to transmit the parasite to other dogs. Also, a dog with Leishmania is NOT dangerous or contagious to humans.

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Because the Earth is gradually warming, it is possible that the sandfly could eventually live in our country. But for now, this is not the case.

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When do we test a dog for Leishmania?

Since November 1, 2018, all our adult dogs are tested for Leishmania through a blood test. A positive test means the animal has Leishmania.

The test has an accuracy of 80-100%, meaning a negative test result is usually truly negative. A false negative may occur if the animal has only recently been infected; it takes several weeks before the blood test turns positive.

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This is why we do NOT test puppies for Leishmania. The vet in Spain advises against this because the test will almost always be negative in puppies, even if they are infected.

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