Leishmaniasis is a serious disease that can affect dogs of all ages and sizes. Although dogs that have it usually survive thanks to the veterinarian that helps them minimize symptoms, the reality is that it is a disease that is better prevented, because recovery is impossible.
Today, thanks to advanced medicine, we can say that many dogs with leishmaniasis survive without problems and can lead an almost normal life.
- In this Animal Expert article we want you to know everything about canine leishmaniasis.
- And identify your symptoms to act as quickly as possible.
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by a parasite called Leishmania. This parasite travels in a mosquito that transmits the parasite to the dog through a bite. The mosquito responsible for the transmission of this disease is the mosquito phlebotoma, also known as the mosquito straw, and is found in the environment during the warmer months.
It is a mosquito that lives naturally in the Mediterranean region, so if you do not perform an environmental treatment it is very difficult to stop it to protect our dog. No breed has an increased risk of developing this disease because any dog is exposed to the bite of this mosquito. In addition, leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can affect humans in addition to dogs.
First, it is important to mention that leishmaniasis is a disease with an incubation period of between 3 and 18 months, so it is possible that the dog, despite its infection, does not present symptoms. Once the disease is already in a symptomatic phase, the dog has the following symptoms:
In the later stages of the disease, we can find a set of symptoms that reveal a state of kidney failure.
If you think your dog has leishmaniasis, it’s very important to take it to the vet for a diagnosis using a blood test and additional tests. Keep in mind that the sooner this disease is detected, the better treatment will work, as it is more effective in the early stages of the disease.
Leishmaniasis is a chronic disease, but treatment can preserve the health of the animal. Treatment consists of a drug that must be given by injection. This treatment is applied for several weeks and, depending on the animal’s response, it may be necessary to repeat this cycle again.
Prevention is the best way to prevent your pet from becoming infected with the leishmaniasis parasite. And to do this, you must ensure that your puppy receives the necessary vaccines, including one that protects the animal from leishmaniasis, which is usually given after four months. Talk to your veterinarian about when and what vaccines your puppy should take, while you can find out the vaccination schedule in our article.
In addition to the vaccine, it is important to prevent your dog from walking in unhealthy areas or in the forest.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to Canine Leishmaniasis: symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you visit our Parasitic Diseases section.