Comments on: Our Experience With Canine Leishmaniasis

By: Deb Hinds-Wood

Deb Hinds-Wood — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:47:00 +0000

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.

By: Lee

Lee — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:42:45 +0000

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.

By: nicki

nicki — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:40:17 +0000

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.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:26:13 +0000

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

By: Kiersten

Kiersten — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:54:24 +0000

Also have a read of this site it may have information for you http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/animalhealth/page.php?id=1099

By: Kiersten

Kiersten — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 18:50:19 +0000

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.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:17:02 +0000

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……………

By: Kiersten

Kiersten — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:33:56 +0000

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.

By: Sandra Walsh

Sandra Walsh — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 10:39:01 +0000

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.

By: Charlie mason

Charlie mason — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:04:16 +0000

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.