Leishmaniasis in dogs: symptoms, treatment and prevention

Leishmaniasis is the medical term used to describe the disease caused by the protozoan parasite known as Leishmania. In dogs, it is a condition that can become deadly. Also known as Leishmaniosis, is presented in two different ways: Cutaneous leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis. Different species of the parasite are associated with each form of the virus. It is believed that there are about 20 types of Leishmania that can transmit the disease to different mammals, including humans.

Transmission of Leishmaniasis disease

Leishmania is A defásic parasite which completes its life cycle in two guests: a sandfly that houses the form of extracellular flagellate and a mammal in which the shape of the intracellular amastigotic parasite develops. That is, the parasite is inactive while in its first guest: the sand fly or Flobotomo. Once the parasite has contact with the following host, a mammal, develops and reproduces becoming lethal.Transmission is a complex process that requires a special adaptation between the guest of the sand fly and the particular species of Leishmania transmitted. There are numerous species of sand flies, of which only a minority can act as competent carriers of the parasite. The infection incubation period until the visualization of symptoms goes from a month to many years. Some dogs may be infected with the parasite of Leishmaniosis for an extensive period of time and not show any symptoms of the disease. In asymptomatic dogs, The parasite can remain inactive for some time, even for years, before an external stimulant such as stress or some disease, activate the parasite causing multiply and attack to the body where it is housed. Eventually the dog could develop a skin infection or a visceral reaction. However, in both cases symptomatic and asymptomatic, guests are able to infect the sand fly that would later infect other animals.Symptoms and types of leishmaniosis
Each of Leishmaniasis types in dogs, visceral or cutaneous, presents different characteristics, then the most common symptoms in cases of leishmaniasis: Visceral leishmaniasis. Sometimes it is mentioned as systematic leishmaniasis. It commonly occurs two to eight months after the bite of the Flobotomo. It mainly damages internal organs, such as spleen, kidneys or liver. It also harms the immune system of the animal and spinal cord. If not treated, This type of leishmaniasis can be fatal.Main symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis:

• Loss of appetite.
• Severe weight loss as a result of the lack of appetite.
• Diarrhea.
• Tarry feces.
• Vomit.
• Nose bleeding.
• Movement intolerance.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis. This can cause ulcers in the skin of the dog, it is the most common form of the disease. Sometimes treatment is not necessary, however, it is convenient to expedite the healing and prevent complications. Main symptoms of the infection of cutaneous leishmaniasis:

• Hyperkeratosis is the most common symptom. Epidermal peeling with skin thickening, depigmentation (skin loss) and cracks in the fence pads, in some cases an abnormal growth can be shown in the canine hooves.
• Alopecia, dry and brittle hair with symmetric loss of hair.
• Nodules on the skin surface.
• Intradermal nodules and ulcers.
• Broken nails are normal in some cases.

Other symptoms associated with leishmaniasis:

• Lymphadenopathy: Lymph node disease with skin lesions in 90 percent of cases.
• Landwearly
• Renal failure signals: excessive urination, excessive thirst and possible vomiting.
• Joint pain.
• Inflammation of the muscles.
• Inflamed spleen about a third of patients.

Causes of Leishmaniosis

Pets, and even humans can be exposed to the virus when traveling to endemic regions, areas where it is more common to find the sand fly, this being the most common way to get the disease. The parasite lives and multiplies within the female of sand flies, this insect is more active in humid environments during the hottest months of the year. Domestic animals, such as dogs, can serve as containers for the parasite. Leishmania is a parasite that affects rodents, carnivores, marsupials, dogs and humans. The disease takes greater seriousness when the guest is of human race or in dogs, It is characterized with skin lesions or deteriorating internal organs, especially those in the abdominal zone.In which places is it more frequent to find leishmaniasis?
Geographically this disease is found anywhere in the world, except Australia and Antarctic, even so, 95 percent of cases occur in the following places:

• America
• Central Asia
• The Mediterranean basin
• The Middle East

In 2015 about 90 percent of cases happened in the following countries:

• Brazil
• Ethiopia
• India
• Kenia
• Somalia
• Sudan

Portugal and Spain are one of the most common places to find this parasite. However, there have been sporadic cases in Switzerland, northern France and the Netherlands. Also endemic areas of South and Central America, and southern Mexico.

Diagnosis of Leishmaniasis Infection

It is important to take into account the places that were visited, in this way the veterinarian will know what to look for when performing physical or blood exams, it will also be easier when discarding possible diseases.Diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis
The veterinarian must take a small skin sample To perform a biopsy to the tissue, it is taken by the surface of the ulcer. Normally the DNA or genetic material of the parasite is sought, there are varieties of methods to identify what type of parasite is. Once the treatment is diagnosed and initiated, the dog has great possibilities to survive with few or without any side effect.

Visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis

It is difficult for humans early detection of infection. Knowing what the pet was exposed can be very helpful. When the presence of visceral leishmaniosis infection is suspected, the doctor must examine internal organs in search of injuries or inflammation, paying more attention to the kidneys, liver and spleen, since these are the main organs affected in most cases.Leishmaniosis complications
Cutaneous leishmaniasis can include:

• Bleeding
• Other infections due to the weakness of the immune system.
• In the long term, ulcers scars can lead to disfigurement, treatment can reduce its severity.

Meanwhile, visceral leishmaniosis usually has fatal effects since both internal organs and the immune system weakens. Visceral leishmaniosis is fatal due to its silent recreation in the body, after two years, if it is not properly treated, it is irreparable.Treatment against leishmaniosis
Regarding treatment for fight leishmaniosis, this consists mainly of two drugs:

• He meglumine antimony, an antiprotozoar whose effect is to inhibit the glycolytic enzymes of the parasite
• He ALLOPURINOL, whose purpose is to reduce the production of uric acid in the body.

The best way to administer the antimony of meglumina is to do it in two daily doses of 50 mg/kg or once a day with a dose of 100 mg/kg. The treatment abitually extends about 4 weeks, however, if the symptoms do not disappear completely, the treatment can be extended for a couple more weeks.As for Allopurinol, the treatment could cover the two months, 10 mg/kg are administered twice a day. A balanced diet can be prescribed by the veterinarian, however, this may vary depending on the animal. A Diet rich in antioxidants and proteins With low uric acid content, it is the most recommended for CA to recover its physical strength, muscle mass and motor capabilities.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis

Ulcers formed by leishmaniasis usually do not require any treatment, they heal alone. Likewise, treatment can help accelerate healing and reduces the risk of complications, likewise, ulcers can cause disfigurement in the host of the infection, depending on its gravity, these lesions may require plastic surgery.Visceral leishmaniasis
Visceral leishmaniasis will always require treatment. Several medications are available. Commonly used medications include sodium, amphotericin B, paromomycin and miltefosine stibogluconate.

How can we prevent leishmaniasis?

There is no vaccine or medicine that helps prevent contact with the parasite of Leishmania. The safest way not to get this infection is Avoid the mouth of the sand.Some of the preventive measures that can be taken are:

• Dogs must periodically submit to clinical and laboratory controls to detect infection early.
• Each dog (healthy, infected or sick) must be protected with pyrethroids (which contain antiparasitic pipettes) to reduce contact with sand flies.

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