Virbac India
diseases

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What is dog leishmaniasis?

What is canine leishmaniasis ?

Leishmaniasis is a deadly diseases that affects dogs, a very sensitive species, but also humans and other mammals.

Transmission

It is transmitted by repeated bites of insects called sandflies

Who is concerned ?

Around the Mediterranean basin, all dogs are exposed.

  • If you live in an area at risk
  • If you travel outside France and go to a zone at risk
How to prevent my dog from catching this disease ?

Different, specific means of prevention exist against this disease. It is possible to vaccinate your dog as to make his immune system capable of fighting the disease.

500,000 dogs have already benefited from vaccination in Europe.

This vaccine is made independently of the usual vaccines. It can be done from the age of 6 months.

It is also recommended to fight insects by bringing your dog inside at night and using insect repellents against sandflies.

Warning : external parasite pesticides are not all effective against sandflies !

How can I tell if my dog is sick?

In case of infection, it is possible that the symptoms do not appear immediately.

The symptoms of the diseases can be:

  • Weight loss
  • Skin problems
  • Nosebleeds
  • Abnormally long claws
  • Lameness

Internal organs are also affected, which can lead to anemia, arthritis and severe kidney failure.

To find out if your dog is sick, your vet can do a screening test.

If my dog is sick, can he be treated ?

The available treatments against leishmaniasis are heavy and expensive. They help slow the progression of the disease and space the relapses.

For more information, ask your vet for advice.