Dog diseases: 8 things to know about leishmaniasis

How do i find out if my dog ​​is infected? What are the symptoms? If the dog has no symptoms, how do I find out that he is sick? And again: can man get sick? Can he be healed? What expectation does a sick dog have? With the arrival of spring, especially between March and April, dog owners run for shelter for protect your four-legged friends from leishmaniasis. There Leishmania infantumagent of Leishmaniasis in Europe and in the Mediterranean areas, is a parasite of sand fliesalso called sand flies: these small, seasonal mosquito-like insects are the main vectors of protozoan. They can sting dogs and cats but also other mammals including humans, thus transmitting the protozoan which in vertebrates continues its evolutionary and reproductive cycle with the multiplication and release of amastigotes.

But what are sand flies? Sand flies are bloodsucking insects (i.e. they feed on blood, just like mosquitoes) that prefer crepuscular and nocturnal hours to eat, as well as the hot months (early May to early November), humidity and non-ventilated areas. They are therefore mainly present in rural, marshy environments And coastal since, for development and growth, the larvae need temperatures, adequate humidity and shelter such as deep cracks in the ground or in old walls or buildings. Those present in Italy and responsible for the transmission of L. infantum they are exophilic and esophagic, they do not enter and do not sting that is inside the houses. However, climate change is expanding the spread of sand flies even in previously non-endemic areas of Northern Italy.

In short, this is a very delicate issue, which affects many owners every year, with seroprevalence rates up to 53.1% throughout our peninsula and in particular in some areas of the country (Liguria, coastal areas of the Center-South especially on the Tyrrhenian side, islands). For example on the Argentario promontory and on the island of Elba about 40% of dogs are HIV positivein all probability due to the presence in particular in the first case of populations of sand flies known as Phlebotomus perniciosusmore efficient in the transmission of the protozoan than the Phlebotomus perfiliewi.

There are therefore many questions that arise every year in this period. For this, MyLavveterinary analysis laboratory that in 2018, and for the following three years, the Financial Times included in the ranking of the 1000 fastest growing companies in Europe, along with the support of Luigi Vencoveterinary surgeon specializing in small animal clinic, lined up the frequently asked questions on the topicand the most accurate answers.

How do i find out if a dog is infected? What are the symptoms? If the dog has no symptoms, how do I find out that he is sick?

The diagnosis of leishmaniasis is a purely laboratory diagnosis that must be made by the veterinarian with indirect tests (antibody titration) and direct (aimed at highlighting the presence of the parasite), often in association. The infection precedes the eventual onset of symptoms by months therefore in risk areas it is advisable to carry out annual screening, even considering that no type of examination can give the certainty that a dog is not infected. Symptoms when present can be cutaneous (hair loss, especially in the head areas, scabs in the auricles) or systems such as epistaxis, eye diseases, increased thirst and loss of appetite.

Can humans get sick if their dog has been diagnosed with leishmaniasis?

Man can be infected with Leishmania infantum but the contagion is not direct but caused by the sting of sand flies (sand flies). Having a dog with leishmaniasis – if treated on the advice of the veterinarian with drugs that prevent the bite of the sand flies (pyrethroids) and that cause their death after the sting (isoxazoline) – it is absolutely not a risk factor for the family.

It is known that it is a disease for which you must be treated all your life. But are there any proven cases where the dog is cured?

Recovery however unlikely it is theoretically possible. However, since there are no tests that can ascertain healing or parasitological negativity, it is still impossible to be certain.

What life expectancy does a dog with leishmaniasis have? It depends on its immune status (Th1 cell-mediated component) and on any therapies. Could be absolutely normal as well as a few months.

What can a dog with leishmaniasis die of?

Being a systemic disease the complications can be many. The most targeted organ is usually the kidney. Excessive antibody production leads in most cases to chronic renal failure.

If I have other dogs in the house (or cats, or animals in general), are they at risk?

Yes why attending the same environment are equally exposed to the sting of sand flies (sand flies) unless they live exclusively at home or otherwise they absolutely do not go out from dusk to dawn.

Which areas of Italy are most at risk? Are there any zero-risk regions? And how is the situation outside of Italy?

The Central-Southern Italythe coastal areas and the Apennine hills are the areas with the highest endemic, but to date we can say that no area of ​​Italy can be considered zero risk.

In Europe all the countries of the Mediterranean basin, from Spain to Greece, are considered highly endemic. In central and northern Europe the disease may be present but with different transmission modes (venereal, maternal-fetal blood transfusions) lacking the vector of the parasite.

Are children at greater risk?

In humans affected by leishmania infantum in most cases the lesions are limited to the skin and are localized and respond well to therapy. In immunosuppressed subjects (HIV infections, chemotherapy, immunosuppressive therapies), however, systemic forms cannot be excluded regardless of age.

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