The health of dogs is threatened by parasites, both external and internal, which can cause our best four-legged friends various diseases of varying severity. Among them, one of the most severe is leishmaniasis, also called leishmania or leishmaniasis. It is a parasitic disease caused by a parasite transmitted by the bite of the sandfly mosquito.
This mosquito, about two or three millimeters long, proliferates in temperatures above 18ºC, dry climates and at night, and is also attracted to light. Although we must pay attention to deworming our pet throughout the year, the warm months are the most dangerous when it comes to leishamniasis.
It should be noted that early detection of this disease is key to its treatment, because if it progresses sufficiently it can cause the death of the dog. In addition, it is a zoonotic disease, that is, it can be spread from animals to humans. In order to diagnose it in time, it is important that you know the symptoms so that you go to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
To prevent leishmaniasis, it is imperative that you protect your dog with a pipette or a repellent collar against the bite of the sand fly. Your veterinarian will inform you about the most convenient method and keep in mind that the antiparasite tablet does not act against this mosquito, but only the collars and pipettes. In addition, it is advisable to receive the leishmania vaccine, which is administered annually and will reinforce your protection. Before administering the vaccine, it will be necessary to perform a rapid test to detect the presence of antibodies.
On the other hand, you can reinforce the prevention of leishmaniasis by installing mosquito nets in your home and avoiding taking your dog for a walk during the hours of greatest risk, that is, at night in the warmest months of the year.