Leishmaniasis in animals: signs and treatment

Canines and cats alike are susceptible to the deadly disease leishmaniasis. This disease is contracted through the bite of an infected sandfly and is caused by a parasite. While it is more prevalent in some areas, such as the Mediterranean and some parts of Latin America, it can also be dangerous to pets in other locations.

Since leishmaniasis symptoms can vary and occasionally resemble those of other medical conditions, early detection is essential. If treatment is not given, animals may exhibit signs of weight loss, skin issues, or even kidney failure. Being aware of potential hazards can facilitate prompt action.

Thankfully, there are therapies that can help control the illness and raise your pet’s standard of living. This post will discuss the most common symptoms of leishmaniasis in animals as well as the available therapies to maintain the health of your furry companions.

Carriers of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis

This particular form of dermatitis is transmitted by mosquitoes that feed on human blood.

Leishmaniasis is most common in dogs and cats. This disease primarily shows up as cutaneous symptoms in cats.

Leishmaniosis is caused by two different types of pathogens: one causes skin leishmaniosis, and the other is visceral (internal). Insects (mosquitoes) are the carriers of leishmaniasis, and the definitive (primary) hosts are humans, dogs, and cats. Leishmania is ingested by insects when they feed on animal blood.

The presence of reservoir hosts and the carriers’ natural focal point are linked to the widespread and invasive nature of leishmaniasis in cats and dogs.

Female parasites typically live two to three weeks. An insect’s entire life cycle, from egg to adult, can take 35 to 55 days.

The majority of carriers of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis reside in residential basements, landfills, etc. Insects reproduce in the wild in rodent burrows where they eat the blood of the animals and their larvae, which eat the droppings and a variety of organic substrates.

Leishmania can infect up to 60% of bloodsucking mosquitoes in the epizootic focus. Many reservoir hosts of the parasite (dog family predators, gophers, etc. D.) aid in the spread of this disease in the natural world.

Leishmaniosis in animals can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to incubate. Differentiate between visceral leishmaniosis, which occurs when the liver, spleen, bone marrow, lymph nodes, etc. d., and skin leishmaniosis, where the pathogens are localized in areas of skin lesions.

Serious animal diseases like leishmaniasis, which primarily affects dogs, are brought on by parasites that are spread by sandfly bites. Though symptoms can vary, skin sores, weight loss, and lethargy are the main indicators to watch out for. Leishmaniasis can cause serious complications and even death if left untreated, so early diagnosis is essential. Medication is frequently used as part of treatment to manage the infection, but long-term care may also be necessary. Protecting your pet requires prevention, which includes using insect repellent and staying away from high-risk areas.

Clinical symptoms of leishmaniasis

Scales appear on dogs and cats with cutaneous leishmaniasis, mostly on the head and limbs. Furthermore, ulcers are seen, particularly where there is the highest pressure, on the paw pads, in the region of the auricles, and where the skin meets the mucous membranes. Skin nodules and pustules may also develop.

The primary sign of the skin form of leishmaniosis in dogs and cats is the development of nodules where the parasites entered the nose, mainly around the eyes and ears and in the back of the nose.

Ulcers then develop from these nodules. Skin signs of alopecia are observed. Most frequently, an invasion of this kind lasts for a year or longer and is not fatal.

The following images illustrate how leishmaniasis manifests clinically in dogs and other animals:

There are two types of visceral leishmaniasis: acute and chronic. The symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis include fever, animal depression, and abrupt weight loss. Digestive problems frequently arise, conjunctivitis appears, and anemia worsens. There is blood or mucus in the feces. The head area is where ulcers form. Paresis, paralysis, and disturbed hemodynamics are possible outcomes.

Animals’ bodies are negatively impacted by parasites and the metabolic products they produce, as this can lead to allergic and toxic reactions as well as mechanical cell destruction.

There is an increase in the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen because Leishmania reproduces in the bone marrow, parenchymatous organs, lymph nodes, and vascular endothelium. There is a decrease in thermoregulation, fever, and widespread central nervous system depression. Ulcers and papules develop as a result of capillary damage.

In young children (under 3 years old), the illness most frequently manifests itself as an acute form. The symptoms of chronic leishmaniasis are similar to those of acute leishmaniasis, but they are milder.

Although recovery is not always possible, animals often pass away several months after the disease’s initial symptoms manifest.

Comprehensive studies that consider the epizootic situation are required in order to diagnose leishmaniasis. Samples from a bone marrow puncture or lymph nodes are obtained in order to identify leishmania in its visceral form, while smears from the afflicted areas are required to identify the disease in its cutaneous form. The Romanovsky-Giemsa staining technique should be applied to smears. In this instance, the cytoplasm takes on a blue hue and the nucleus turns ruby-red. Blood serum serological tests are performed in accordance with RIF, RSK, and RIGA.

Differential diagnosis requires differentiating between the cutaneous form of leishmaniasis and demodicosis, where mite traces are detected in skin scrapings.

A dangerous condition that can strike both dogs and cats is leishmaniasis. Getting them the assistance they require as soon as possible depends on identifying the early indicators, which include skin lesions, weight loss, or lethargy.

There are treatment options available, but it’s crucial to keep in mind that they frequently concentrate on symptom management as opposed to full disease cures. Keeping an eye out for any changes in your pet’s health and scheduling routine veterinary examinations are crucial to managing this illness.

A long-term care plan developed in close consultation with your veterinarian can make your pet’s life more comfortable if they have been diagnosed with leishmaniasis.

Video on the topic

Leishmania (Leishmaniasis) – morphology, life cycle, symptoms, diagnosis, prevention.

Lectures on diseases of domestic animals. "Diagnostics of leishmaniasis, dirofilariasis, leptospirosis in dogs"

Leishmaniasis