With increasing mobility, open borders, and a wide range of travel options, this insidious infectious disease has also become more prevalent in our part of the world. Many dog owners want to have their four-legged friends with them on vacation and therefore travel south with their dogs. More and more rescue dogs are also being brought to Germany from southern Europe and rehomed here, with the result that diseases can also be imported.
This disease is caused by Leishmania, single-celled parasites that are transmitted to dogs by a vector (carrier). In this case, the vector is a tropical mosquito known as the sand fly or butterfly mosquito. Leishmaniasis is a zoonosis, which means that the disease can also be transmitted to humans. Leishmaniasis is particularly prevalent in southern Europe, South America, and the Middle East. However, due to global warming, mosquito populations infected with Leishmania have now been found in Austria and Germany. The frequent occurrence of the disease in the Mediterranean region has earned it the name "Mediterranean disease."
Sand flies are mainly active at dusk and are found in large numbers near water. They pick up the pathogen from infected mammals or rodents. The pathogen multiplies in the mosquito before being transmitted to dogs through another bite. The pathogen can also be passed on through mating, from the mother to her offspring, and through blood transfusions. The incubation period (the time from infection to the onset of the disease) can range from several months to several years.
A distinction is made between latent (existing but not apparent) and manifest (clearly recognizable) forms of leishmaniasis. Latent forms of the disease usually remain undetected for years, as the animal shows no symptoms of illness. More than half of all infected dogs, including many imported rescue dogs from southern Europe, show this form of leishmaniasis. Although a positive antibody titer can be detected in these dogs, their immune system usually controls the infection well. Due to the large number of asymptomatic carriers, the spread of the pathogen cannot be monitored.
Animals with manifest disease show a variety of symptoms. The formation of ineffective antibodies, which attach themselves to the pathogens but are unable to act, leads to the formation of so-called immune complexes, which can cause damage to various organs of the body. Skin changes occur very frequently and are usually the first signs observed by owners and are considered highly suspicious of leishmaniasis. Severe hair loss and non-itchy skin inflammation on the edges of the ears, eyes ("spectacle formation") or nose may occur. Other symptoms include lethargy (= sleepiness), fever, vomiting, diarrhea, emaciation, kidney failure, swollen lymph nodes, and lameness due to joint or bone inflammation. However, the symptoms are generally not very specific and can also be caused by a variety of other diseases.
If you notice one or more of the symptoms described above in your dog, you should take it to a veterinarian immediately. If, after a thorough clinical examination and review of the dog's medical history, the veterinarian suspects that your dog may have leishmaniasis, this can only be confirmed by further blood tests or tissue samples. The blood test also serves to rule out other diseases.
There is still no treatment that completely eliminates the pathogen from the infected animal's body. This means that even after successful treatment and control of the symptoms, an animal remains infected for life and must be regularly checked by a veterinarian, as relapses are not uncommon. As a pet owner, you should be aware of the sometimes very high costs associated with medication and the duration of treatment.
The various treatment options depend largely on the severity of the disease and the condition of the animal. Discuss the individual treatment plan for your dog with your veterinarian.
There is no prospect of a complete cure, which is why the prognosis must be cautious. However, modern treatment options can relieve symptoms, allowing even clinically ill dogs to live with the infection for years.
To prevent this disease, it is extremely important to protect your dog from sand fly bites. If possible, dogs should not be taken to areas where leishmaniasis is prevalent, even on vacation. Dog owners who travel to southern regions with their pets or live in areas where the insects are prevalent can use spot-on treatments or collars to prevent the mosquitoes from biting their dogs. A preventive vaccine is also available on the market. However, this does not offer 100% protection. Despite preventive measures, riverbanks and standing water should be avoided with dogs, especially at dusk and dawn.
In some countries, such as Spain, the drug domperidone is approved for the prevention of leishmaniasis. It is available in Germany through international pharmacies. Alternatively, your vet may be able to repurpose a drug approved for human use.
Skin fungal infections are also common in chinchillas. The most common are ringworm and bald patch, which cause changes to the fur and skin of chinchillas. Skin fungal infections are not life-threatening, but can lead to persistent problems due to their contagious nature. Skin fungi can also be transmitted to or from humans to animals, which is referred to as a zoonosis.
A must-have in every horse stable: a box containing the most important items for providing first aid or minor treatment to your horse yourself.
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. Since horses have a significantly higher seizure threshold than small animals or humans, for example, seizure disorders are relatively rare in horses. Seizures only occur in horses with severe brain damage. Foals, on the other hand, have a significantly lower seizure threshold and are more susceptible to seizure-triggering factors.
Feline panleukopenia, also known as parvovirus or panleukopenia, is an acute, serious infectious disease that is particularly dangerous and even life-threatening for young, unvaccinated cats. Thanks to an effective vaccine, this disease can now be easily prevented.
Lush green meadows, a small herd of horses galloping towards someone calling from afar, the sun shining from a cloudless sky... how beautiful are the images of summer! And what a time for our horses, when they can live as close to their natural state as possible. Nevertheless, grazing time also requires appropriate management, regardless of whether the horses are only out to pasture for a few hours or live on permanent pasture for months at a time.
Mycoplasmosis is the most common respiratory disease in rats. Also known as murine respiratory mycoplasmosis (MRM), this disease is caused by a bacterium that is very common in pet rats and is chronic and progressive.
An ear fistula, also known as an ear cyst or ear base fistula in horses, describes a malformation occurring on one or both sides consisting of scattered tooth buds located as a cyst at the base of the horse's ear. Animals between three and twelve months old are most commonly affected.
This infectious disease, also known as contagious equine anemia, is usually fatal and is caused by a virus that affects only horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. The disease is widespread worldwide, but occurs only sporadically in Germany. It is a notifiable animal disease.
This condition of the knee joint, in which the kneecap (patella) pops out of its natural position to the side, is one of the most common causes of lameness in dogs. This dislocation occurs mainly in growing and older dogs of small breeds. Several of these breeds have a particular genetic predisposition to patella luxation.
Immune deficiency syndrome, colloquially known as "feline AIDS," is an infectious disease caused by a virus that weakens the immune system and causes serious secondary diseases. The virus is similar to HIV but is not dangerous to humans.
The bit attached to the bridle transmits your rein aids to your horse and is therefore a central link in rider-horse communication. As the horse's mouth is a particularly sensitive area, it is important that the bit suits you both. Choosing the right bit depends on the level of training of the rider and horse, the type of riding, the anatomy of the horse's mouth, the temperament and also the preferences of the horse.
Similar to humans, dogs of middle to advanced age can also develop a sugar metabolism disorder. Canine diabetes is the second most common hormone-related disease in dogs. The first noticeable symptoms are increased thirst and increased urination. If diabetes is detected early, the disease can be well controlled with lifelong insulin therapy. However, certain emergencies can also occur in the context of diabetes, requiring immediate veterinary treatment.
