A.S.A.P.

WHAT IS LEISHMANIASIS? Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar in humans) is a protozoal infection that infects blood cells and attacks the immune system. It primarily infects dogs, wild carnivores and rodents but can also affect humans, particularly those with a compromised immune system. HOW IS IT SPREAD? The disease is carried by the zoophilic sand-fly. The fly bites and sucks blood from an infected animal, ingests the parasite, and then passes this on to the next animal it bites. Any fly that bites an infected animal itself becomes infected and the parasitic infection can spread rapidly. The disease is endemic in Mediterranean countries. If an infected dog bites another dog, then the infection will be passed on. Cats do not get the disease. CAN PEOPLE GET THE DISEASE? Yes, but not from the same sand-fly which bites dogs, nor can they become directly infected from dogs (not even if bitten by an infected dog). Transmission to humans is via an anthropophilic sand-fly. Drugs are available which act directly on infected cells and give very good results. ARE ALL DOGS VULNERABLE TO THE DISEASE? Yes! If an infected sand-fly bites your dog it will become infected with the parasite, irrespective of breed, age and state of health. If an infected sand-fly bites a pregnant dog then the puppies may also get the disease. HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOUR DOG HAS BEEN INFECTED? At first there are no symptoms and only a blood test can confirm the presence of the parasite. That’s why vets recommend that your dog’s blood be tested once or twice a year. Diagnosis is made by direct immuno-fluorescence or immuno-serological techniques. The progression of the disease is slow. The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms may vary from a few weeks to a few years. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? Early in the disease your dog may start to smell musty and the claws may become overgrown, causing the dog to limp. Other symptoms include: · Dandruff on the head, back and ears (in some cases the ear edges become thickened · The hair becomes dull and patchy and some areas exhibit total hair loss · Hair lost around the eyes makes the dog look as though it is wearing glasses · Scabs appear anywhere on the body · There may be a white discharge from the eyes and nose and sometimes nosebleeds · The muscles atrophy, especially the temporal muscle · There may be bleeding around the ears, nose or joints · Kidney and liver problems develop · There may be enlargement of the liver, spleen and lymph nodes · Anaemia develops · Loss of appetite, bulaemia and weight loss become apparent · The animal may suffer from a fever · The animal has difficulty walking and starts to look very old IS THERE ANY TREATMENT? Yes! Although there is no cure, your dog may go into remission. Best results are obtained in those animals in which the diagnosis is made early. Treatment using antimony compounds combined with Zylorik tablets has shown good results. The most economical treatment combination of Zylorik and Levoplix tablets can be considered for stray dogs in the early stages of the disease. It the disease has already affected the liver, spleen or kidneys, treatment may extend the dog’s life but he will suffer. Greek law states that infected dogs should be either quarantined or euthanised. ARE THERE ANY PREVENTATIVE MEASURES? Use insect repellent on the dog’s skin after sunset (Autan, Antiphlebotome or Citronella). Flea and tick collars do not help.