Deadly disease that can be fatal to dogs yet preventable!

MADRID - Dec. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- f you are a dog owner, particularly one that lives in or travels to warmer climates then hopefully this article will give you an insight into leishmaniasis and how it can affect dogs as well as looking at how it can be prevented.

About the Disease

Canine leishmaniasis (LEESH-ma-NIGH-ah-sis) is a zoonotic disease (see human leishmaniasis) caused by Leishmania parasites transmitted by the bite of an infected phlebotomine sandfly. Canine leishmaniasis was first identified in Europe in 1903, and in 1940, 40% of all dogs in Rome were determined to be positive for leishmaniasis.

Traditionally thought of as a disease only found near the Mediterranean basin, 2008 research claims new findings are evidence that canine leishmaniasis is currently expanding in continental climate areas of northwestern Italy, far from the recognized disease-endemic areas along the Mediterranean coasts.

Cases of leishmaniasis began appearing in North America in 2000, and, as of 2008, Leishmania-positive foxhounds have been reported in 22 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces

Symptoms

There are several types of symptoms that can affect your dog and you should particularly look out for Skin lesions, Alopecia,Ulcerative or exfoliative dermatitis, Visceral, Swollen lymphnodes, Progressive loss of weight with decreased appetite, Epistaxis (nose bleeds), Kidney failure - increased urination and drinking.

It should of course be pointed out that the symptoms described above are not necessarily the only symptoms of canine leishmaniasis and likewise the symptoms above could be indications of other conditions - especially as many of them are so common. I am not a veterinary surgeon and if your dog is suffering from any condition whatsoever or any symptoms then the most sensible course of action is always to consult a qualified veterinary expert.

Prevention

If you live in an area where canine leishmaniasis is prevalent and you love your pet dog then you should certainly without hesitation consider preventative treatment. Whilst no preventative treatment is guaranteed to be 100% successful, it is certainly a small investment that you would regret not spending should your dog come down with this terrible disease.

There are a number of forms of preventative treatment available and most commonly include drop on treatments and collars which tend to have a shelflife of 3 to 6 months so during the season of sandflies and mosquitoes you will need at least one or possibly two of the collars to ensure thorough protection. In Spain for example the mosquito and sandfly season is for a roundabout six months from about April until October although this can vary and although the packaging says that a collar will last for six months I personally prefer to put a collar on my dog in March and then change it again in June or July and leave it on until November or even December because I have seen a lot of mosquitoes around even at Christmas!

Recently vaccinations have been developed which are now commercially available in many countries through your veterinary surgeon. Many dog owners are choosing to wait rather than rushing to have these vaccinations - I guess the proof of the pudding is in the eating and many pet dog owners are sceptical of these new products.

The vaccinations themselves come at a price. Firstly, your dog needs to have a blood test to ensure that he or she is not already positive for the disease. Then, the course of treatments can begin and this comprises of three injections in the first year followed by an additional annual booster jab. As you can imagine you're talking of an investment of around about 150-200 euros for such a process but then again from year to onwards it is just another jab with your usual annual boosters. You should consult your veterinary surgeon for advice on the best possible prevention methods of this disease.

For mroe information on this condition and a list of suitable preventative treatment please visit http://www.petsncharms.com