If you travel with a dog to southern Europe – for example to southern Croatia, Montenegro, Italy, Spain, Greece or Portugal – or to other warm, subtropical to tropical areas of the world, you should know about the disease called leishmaniasis.
It is a parasitic disease that occurs in the Mediterranean region, but is also widespread in parts of South and Central America, Africa, the Middle East and some other regions of Asia.
In Europe, leishmaniasis occurs mainly in the warmer areas of the Mediterranean. In recent years it has also appeared in some parts of the Balkans, including southern Croatia. For the average tourist the topic may not seem interesting at first glance, but for a dog this disease can have serious consequences.
This article serves as a basic overview – what leishmaniasis is, how it is transmitted, its symptoms and how to protect your dog.
Table of Contents
What is leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania. In dogs it most commonly involves a form that affects internal organs (so-called visceral leishmaniasis).
The disease can have a chronic course and, without treatment, significantly reduces both the length and quality of a dog’s life.
How leishmaniasis is transmitted
Transmission occurs via small biting flies called phlebotomines (so-called sand flies). They are found mainly in warm areas and are particularly active in the evening and at night.
The mechanism of transmission is simple: a fly bites an infected dog, then bites another animal and transmits the parasite to it.
Direct transmission from dog to dog or from dog to human through normal contact is not a typical way of spreading.
Leishmaniasis and transmission to humans
The disease can also affect humans, but infection is usually acquired in the same way as in dogs – after a bite from an infected fly, not by petting or ordinary contact with a dog. Although it is a disease transmissible to humans, it is important to emphasize that it is not spread by saliva, touch or normal contact with a dog.
Direct transmission from a dog to a human without the involvement of a fly is considered extremely unlikely.
The risk for a healthy tourist is low, but protecting the dog is also important for public health – an infected dog can be a reservoir of infection for other flies.
How the disease presents and is treated in humans
In humans, leishmaniasis most commonly appears as long-lasting non-healing skin ulcers or nodules. Less commonly it can take a more severe form that affects internal organs and presents with fevers, fatigue or weight loss.
Treatment is carried out under medical supervision with antiparasitic drugs. With early diagnosis it is successful in most cases. It is important to mention to your doctor any stay in a risk area if unusual symptoms appear after returning.
What are the symptoms of the disease in dogs
Leishmaniasis in dogs often has a slow and inconspicuous onset. Symptoms may appear months after returning from vacation. This makes the disease all the more insidious.
The most common signs include:
- weight loss despite a maintained appetite
- apathy and fatigue
- enlarged lymph nodes
- skin problems (hair loss, scaly skin, non-healing wounds)
- excessive nail growth
- kidney problems in advanced stages
Without treatment, the disease can lead to serious damage to internal organs.
Most veterinary laboratories can quite easily diagnose the disease from a blood sample. It is therefore not a bad idea to have such a test done after returning from risk areas or if your pet shows the symptoms listed above.
Prevention: how to protect your dog
Prevention is key, especially if you plan to stay in warm seaside areas.
Protection options are:
1. Vaccination against leishmaniasis
There is a vaccine that helps reduce the risk of disease development. It does not provide complete protection against infection, but reduces the likelihood of a severe course.
Vaccination needs to be planned in advance, as it requires a basic dosing schedule. From our own experience, however, we can confirm that the vaccine is usually available mainly in the areas and countries where the disease actually occurs. Obtaining the vaccine outside these areas can be financially demanding, or even impossible. In Slovakia we tried to obtain the vaccine for our dog Iba before the flight to Paraguay and Bolivia, but we were unsuccessful. We even failed to obtain it in northern Croatia, where we were advised to try Dubrovnik in the south of the country. In the end, we preferred insect repellent protection over vaccination.
2. Insect repellent protection
An important part of prevention is the use of:
- antiparasitic collars with repellent effect
- spot-on products repelling biting insects
These products reduce the likelihood that an infected fly will bite the dog.
3. Management measures
- limit the dog’s time outdoors after dusk
- do not let the dog sleep outside at night
- use air-conditioned or screened areas
Should the average tourist be worried?
Leishmaniasis is not a reason to panic or to cancel your holiday. However, it is a disease that a dog owner should be aware of if travelling, for example, to southern Europe.
Proper prevention significantly reduces the risk. If you plan a longer stay in risk areas, we recommend consulting a veterinarian about protecting your dog before the trip.