{"id":8839,"date":"2022-05-16T11:15:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-16T01:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.travelnuity.com\/?p=8839"},"modified":"2023-11-29T07:01:42","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T21:01:42","slug":"protect-your-dog-from-leishmania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelnuity.com\/protect-your-dog-from-leishmania\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Leishmaniasis in Your Dog in Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Summertime and the months either side are the most popular time of year to head to Europe<\/a>, including if you\u2019re travelling with your dog. But did you realise that you need to be wary of the disease known as Leishmaniasis across most of southern Europe? Read on to find out more about this disease and the precautions you should take to protect your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What is Leishmaniasis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leishmaniasis is an infection spread by female sandflies<\/strong>. The primary hosts of the disease are dogs. If your dog is bitten by a female sandfly that has been infected with Leishmania parasites by biting an infected dog, your dog may also become infected with Leishmaniasis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following infection, one of three things may occur. The dog may clear the infection, the infection may develop sub-clinically (with the Leishmania parasite being harboured for a number of months of years before signs occur), or the dog may develop signs of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of Leishmaniasis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The signs of Leishmaniasis can be quite varied, including skin lesions, hair-loss, intermittent lameness, weight-loss, anaemia, fever and lethargy. In the most severe cases, organs like the liver, kidneys and bone marrow can be affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once a dog develops an active infection, cure is not possible, but rather long-term medication and monitoring is required, to prevent it from becoming fatal in severe cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which Parts of Europe Are Affected?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leishmaniasis is prevalent across southern Europe including the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n