Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the bite of a sandfly. When the sandfly bites the parasite is passed on to the dog. It attacks the immune system which leaves the dog unable to fight infections and disease’s as well as a healthy one. The maximum risk of infection in our part of Spain is between May – September. At the moment there is no cure for canine leishmaniasis as the parasite continues to live in the bone marrow but there are drugs available to manage the disease. The main drugs used in Spain are Glucantime, Alopurinol and Levamisol.
Glucantime – An injection given into a muscle in the back leg – Kills the parasite
Alopurinol – Tablet – Given to protect the kidneys
Levamisol – Tablet – Antiparasite and increases the dogs defence’s
There are ways to protect your dog although none are 100% effective. A Scalibor collar seems to be the most effective, they are still active when wet and also control tick and fleas. Care should be taken when fitting a new collar as some dogs can have a reaction to them.
Symptoms of leishmaniasis can include – severe weight loss, lethargy, depression, hair loss, lesions, dermatitis, distended stomach, nose bleeds.
Rocky – Black Labrador, Bruno – Leonberger and Khumbu – Siberian Husky
We first noticed something wrong with Rocky when his coat became dull, had scurfy skin and began to loose weight even with a good appetite. A local vet took some blood and put him on a course of tablets. Some months later he was still loosing weight, was loosing hair and began to get lesions. We took him to another vet, an English speaking one, who again took some blood. The results came back as leishmaniasis positive and a count of over 5000. He immediately started treatment. I had to give him 2 injections of Glucantime every other day for 12 days, 6 days of injections. The injection is given in a muscle of the back leg and can become progressively more painful as the course goes on. There is also a nerve that runs down the leg so you have to be quite accurate.
Rocky was hit quite badly by his treatment, imagine your body being ill already and then having to be pumped full of poison to cure you, I guess its similar to treatment for cancer! We were warned that he would feel quite ill whilst the injections were happening. I would cook him chicken, sit in the kennel and hand feed him. Day by day he got a little stronger and when the injections finished he started the tablet medication. He was also put onto a food to help protect his kidneys. He had one of each tablet every day. He was re-blood tested and the count had gone down to 2560. He continued on his daily tablets and we got our cheeky playful Rocky back.
One day Bruno had a nose bleed, it stopped, then a few hours later it started again. We took him to the vet who gave him something to stop the bleeding and took a blood test. His results came back as leishmaniasis positive, with a count of 80 which is low but still positive. The vet asked us to bring our other dog Khumbu a Siberian Husky to be blood tested and he came back as negative. Bruno started a course of the tablets but for a short time only.
Recently we noticed Rocky being a little off colour, nothing much but he just wasn’t himself. He was still wagging his tail and coming on daily walks. He went back to the vet for a blood test, his yearly test was nearly due, and the result showed that his count had gone up. All the dogs were given new Scalibor collars and Rocky started his injections again, it is common for dogs to have relapses. We then took Bruno and Khumbu for their nearly due blood test. Khumbu now had a count of 40 which is an inconclusive count and has to be retested in 6 months time. Bruno’s count had come back as 2560!
Rocky finished his injections but was not responding well at all, we knew he was going to take a knock from these injections but this time something was different, he was behaving as if he was blind. The vet tested his eye sight and found that his pupils were slow to react to different light. It turns out he had had a reaction to the newly fitted Scalibor collar whilst having his injections.
This is where Rockys story takes a sad turn. His collar was removed immediately, his neck was washed and he was given various medications to try and combat the poison. On his last day, he was a happy dog, wagging his tail and walking to the car for his trip to the vet (I honestly thought then that he was going to get over this). That afternoon he deteriorated. He was passing liquid diarrhea with a lot of blood in it. In a matter of 2 hours, unfortunately his kidneys could not rid his body of the toxins and the kindest thing for Rocky was to put him to sleep. He is now out of pain and at peace.
Because all this was happening, Bruno’s treatment was delayed until it was understood what was happening to Rocky. Bruno started his injections yesterday. I have spent a week researching this awful disease and trying to work out what is best for Bruno. The research all pointed to immediate treatment. I nervously gave him his injections, (I had lost my confidence from dealing with Rocky) but he was a good boy, stood still for me and concentrated on his biscuit that he was being fed. Hopefully with Bruno being young and otherwise healthy dog he will be one of the lucky ones and not get anymore clinical signs.
Our vet has been great and was always available for Rocky. We thank him for all that he tried to do for Rocky.
From doing some research and foruming, we have found that black Labrador’s seem to be very susceptible to this disease! Is it coincidence? Bad breeding? Who knows.
On a brighter note there is a vaccine that is in the later stages of its trial, should it prove succesful, then it maybe available in 2/3 years time and could be a revolution for animal and human health in many places in the world.
A good information site about canine leishmaniasis is called Leishmaniasis. I’m not sure how up to date it is but the general information on understanding the disease very useful.
A study has been carried out in the Alpujarras region of Andalucia and this link will take you to the results page.
If anyone has any other sites that maybe of use please let me know what they are. I think there is a lack of information available to the people like us, who came originally from a country that is canine leishmaniasis free.
Another disease that I have been informed about which has very similar signs to Leishmaniasis is Ehrlichiosis and is transmitted by ticks.
As you can see it is a complete minefield out there, I’m no expert, these are just my thoughts and my experience with canine leishmaniasis.
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20 Responses to “Our Experience With Canine Leishmaniasis”
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I feel for you. Just found out our one dog is suffering from this and have started on the injections. He is suffering badly with nose bleeds which don’t stop for hours at a time. It is very distressing for us all. I hope Bruno has responded well to treatment.
So sorry for you all. My Boxer (Sanchez)is in Cyprus (I have moved back to UK)due to unavailable flights he has been kept tnere in kennels for over 2 wks. He is losing weight and 2 tests have been done but they are not positive but probable. I am hoping to get my brother in-law to take him and start treatment and then I will go back out next wk and continue his treatment. This has been the worst wk of my life and Sanchez will be so stressed.
I truly hope Bruno and Khumbu are responding well to there treatment and they will live long and happy lives.
Hi my rescue dog was diagnosed with Leishmaniasis in March 2009. It took 3 years to get her diagnosed due to the way tests are in the UK. She was basically dying and we were so worried about her. The disease had affected her muscles, eye and skin. Further investigation there was kidney damage. I have done alot of research into the subject and myself and my vet are doing are best.
My dog started on Allpurinol, she weighs 20kg and is on 400mg per day. She had this for 1 month and then was put on a new drug called miltefosine for 1 month and still taking her allpurinol. She has just finished her miltefosine and is a different dog. Her blood tests have all improved and urine protein/creatinine ratio was 12 it is meant to be below 1, last test showed it is 2.9.
She has blood tests, blood pressure and urine every 2 weeks and is due her next today.
I too have a rescue dog diagnosed with leishmaniasis. At the moment he seems to be doing well on allpurinol, but I am always aware it can return. he was diagnosed 1 year ago.
I didn’t know it’s best to keep blood tests up to date, my vet has not mentioned this, but then again they know very little about the disease. I will get him tested this week.
If anybody has any tips or info on medication that I can pass on to my vet I would be most grateful, I would hate for something to happen and there was something I missed. Harvey takes 300 mg twice a day – he is 28kg.
I sincerely hope your dogs get through this and we have happy endings……
levamizole is not appropriate for treating canine leishmaniasis,it can kill your dog
the proper therapy is alopurinole + miltefosine which is the most effective method with minimum side effects
and i am a greek veterinary doctor and have been researching leishmania for the last 7 years
We have just adopted a wonderfully natured 2 year old German Pointer in Spain. Within a week he was having nosebleeds and has spent 5 days in canine hospital with severe kidney problems. The diagnosis leishmania. He returned home yesterday and has been presecibed miltefosine 2.2mg a day and other drugs temporarily to help his kidneys and other problems. The vet is not sure if his kidneys will recover. He is very very thin and drinks an awful lot but otherwise seems healthy. We are keeping our fingers crossed that he pulls through and making the most of the time we have with him.
He will be on a special diet for dogs that can not deal well with protein for life….
Hi there,
Today we found out that our beloved rescue dog Nev has leishmania. Four years ago when he was thrown from a car and came to us he had a small bite on his muzzle, our vet treated him and there were no signs on anything bad. Nev has been a very healthy and happy dog ever since with regular booster shots, frontline and his scalibor collar. In the last week he has developed itching with such ferocity that he has bled, dry and dull coat and sticky eyes. At first I thought he had a reaction to pollen or cement from work being done at home but then I feared something worse and so he went to our vets. He is now on a course of injections backed up with antibiotics and other tablets we have to wait 15 days to see how he responds to treatment. The worse thing is that this disease has laid dormant for 4 years to attack Nev with no warning signs, we just hope and pray he will be ok.
Hi
My dog has also just been diagnosed as well as having Erhlichiosis. She is on alpurinol and miltefosine. She seems much more lively but we are waiting results of blood tests.
I was looking for information on the sandfly disease when I came over this forum. The information out there seems to be everywhere and I can’t get my head around it although I normally have no difficulty searching. Your comments feel so close to what we are passing through. Suzy my two year old has just been diagnosed with the disease after s traumatic nose bleed where she could not stop. The vet managed to get it under control but she lost so much blood that she has been given plasma twice. Apparently she had the disease for one year with no indication to us except the nosebleed coming out of nowhere although in hindsight she was never a great eater. Today is day 5 after the noseblood, she has taken one round of injection and three days of double dose pills. She pees and poos ok although we are worried for her liver. She has also been given antibiotics and medicine for her kidneys. Has been one of the worst weeks of our life seeing her like this and all wondering if she is suffering. We are also trying to understand if with such a case she may actually recover from it? Any comments or thoughts are appreciated it. Tommorrow is her next dose of injections, we are fearing her pain in taking them but then if it’s some pain for a better life ….. We try and keep the bigger picture in mind. Reading similar experiences has helped feel closer to someone who understands what we and the dog are going through. Sometimes we feel at a loss what to look out for or what more information to give to the vet. How do we know she is really getter any better? Is it when she starts eating on her own or is the disease just hiding to spring up again? Trying to take one day at a time at the moment as the larger picture feels overwhelming to take in….
To give you all a bit of hope – we have a rescue dog ( in Portugal) who tested positive for leishmans when he was 2. He was very thin and looked as though he would die – however after he had all the jabs and then Alopurinal – which I had to stop after a while as it made him sick, he completely recovered. Buffy is now 10……. It has, unfortunatley, come back in the last month – manifesting itself as an obviously very painful front leg. I do not think that the story will have a happy ending this time – but he has had a great life with no signs of illness or discomfort except for a sore on his ear that never heals.
I am wandering if a dog can catch leish by being bitten by a contaminated dog? We have had a problem with a wild dog in our garden in Portugal, who has lesions on his legs, is very skinny and has blood coming from his mouth. Yesterday my 8 yr old Cocker Spaniel went after the dog and got in a scrap with him, returning with a bleeding eye. We took her to the vet and she has been given antibiotics and eye cream but we are waiting a week before having her blood tested for leish. We also discovered that our 10 month old Heinz 57 rescue dog had a strange lesion in his ear, which the vet was very concerned about and we are waiting for the blood test result, which we should get tomorrow. I am just wandering whether leish can be passed from dog to dog, without the help of the sandfly. Very worried for all my dogs, as also have a 7 month old Cocker Spaniel who plays with the Heinz 57 a lot. They all have Scalibor collars.
Any information would be appreciated, we are worried sick.
My dog has also recently been bitten. Checked her immediately for any serious wounds. No blood and couldn’t find any teeth marks but the wound hasn’t healed after 3 weeks and is very red and bald in that area. The dog is constantly scratching it eventhough it is difficult to reach (on the middle of her back). I only noticed that it hasn’t been healing after stripping her yesterday. I’ve been avoiding the grooming because I’ve read that the longer and more hair they have the better it may be for protecting against leishmaniasis. All the vets are closed on Sats & Suns so couldn’t get professional opinion. I guess I’ll have to wait until Monday. My dogs come from Holland originally and did NOT have any illnesses. Since we’ve come to live in Spain the older one, who was bit, walks like she has no energy and doesn’t jump anymore; She jumps with great difficulty for her favourite treat. She is an 11 year old Jack Russell and was very energetic until about 6 months ago…. and has gotten less energetic with time. I’m not sure if she’s just got the senior blues or perhaps she contracted the “L”. In the last 3 weeks since bitten she has gotten weaker but always surprises us with a spurt of energy to hunt. Goodness, I would also like to know if a dog can get the “L” from another dog! Can someone, preferrably a vet answer our question.
It is my understanding that leish can only be passed on to another dog by the bite of a sandfly not the bite of another dog. Hope your dogs have recovered from the various incidents they have been in. There is now a vaccine out against leish for dogs who are not leish positive. Its in Portugal at the moment and I believe it is to be here in Spain soon.
Hi my dog has just been diagnosed with leishnaniasis but the very strange thing is that I live in Northern CA. I have been told by my vet that the drugs that are best for treating this disease are not available here in the US. Does anyone know if this is true or not? Also for those of you who have treated your dogs do you think it is worth putting them through the pain and suffering? How bad is for them? I love my dog sooo much and the thought of loosing him is really tearing me up. I have two other dogs and I read that it is very rare for dog to dog transmission. My vet said there has never been a case of leish reported here although there has been some on the East Coast. Any information would be helpful. The vet here is researching this now because they have never seen a case of this. I’m feeling a bit helpless……………
Hi Alicia im sorry im unable to help you with regards the drug situation in US but….. if you are able to get the drugs then do go through with the treatment. It is changing all the time and is less of a problem now to the dogs. Before it was not a major problem more so for us than the dogs. With some treatment your dog should go on to lead a normal life with yearly check ups. Ive asked on facebook and twitter (there are many knowlegeable people in the doggie cyber world) to see if anyone can help. Will keep in touch.
This is the most popular drug at the moment :- miltefosine oral treatment of leishmaniasis if you search this you will find lots of info and pass it onto your vet.
Now also in Spain we have a vaccine about to come out. It is only for dogs who do not have the disease yet, but it maybe worth mentioning to your vet also its called CaniLeish. This link is also worth reading http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/medicines/veterinary/medicines/002232/smops/Positive/vet_smop_000042.jsp&murl=menus/medicines/medicines.jsp&mid=WC0b01ac058008d7aa&jsenabled=true
Also ive just found this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_leishmaniasis if you go to the section called treatment it speaks about the US
Please keep me posted.
Also have a read of this site it may have information for you http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/animalhealth/page.php?id=1099
Kiersten,
I feel much better going through with the treatment (should I be able to get the medicine) hearing from someone that has been through it. I will keep you posted with any new information.
Thank you so much for your reply!
Alicia
Hi, I put a message on her 2 years ago about my dog Hugo being diagnosed then with Leish. He had the injections, which did knock him about and it was touch and go but he was brilliant afterwards. We have noticed he is not looking his best again so will be taking him next week for a blood test to see if it has returned. He is just on one alpurinol a day at the moment.
Hi All,
I have two rescue dogs who have the disease. Both have lived healthy happy lives for the last 6-14 years. One is now almost 14 and is dying. I’m in the US and it is hard to get treatment, but my french vet helps. The things that worked for me, is routine checkups and new injections whenever the numbers get high. Daily (twice daily) allopironul. And very high quality food for your dog. Low in protein, lots of veggies, etc. My dogs are a Briard and a boarder collie. The boarder collie’s numbers were quite high, the Briard’s lower (the vet caught it earlier.) Good luck and keep spirits up. Dogs can live a good long life even with this disease. One word of caution, if you are in the US, the CDC is recommending all dogs w the disease get euthunanized. If in the US, make sure you know and trust your vet. I recently moved and went to a new vet. I told her the dog has leish and she reported it to the feds! There are zero causes of transmission from dogs to humans in the US, but that doesn’t stop CDC from recommending euthanizing.
I have just read this and some of the comments because we always test rescues for Mediterranean diseases and one has come back with having Leish but with no symptoms. However, I am looking to find out exactly what the blood tests mean, eg, what is a high count, what is borderline and what is normal. I also need to know when to use Glucantine. The last one was given 1 ampule per day for 30 days and the tablets half twice a day (300mg). The last one recovered extremely well and is now in her new home and continuing to take her tablets. We seem to have conflicting ideas with the vets as to when and what treatment should be started. Do we start straight away on the Glucantine which is like chemotherapy? Or do we just give the pills and have another blood test in a month? What a minefield! If you have any ideas on this, please email me.