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Leishmaniasis in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Canine leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by sandfly bites, affecting a dog's skin, organs, and immune system. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing the condition effectively.

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Canine leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by sandfly bites, affecting a dog's skin, organs, and immune system. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing the condition effectively.

What is Canine Leishmaniasis?

Canine leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by the single-celled parasite Leishmania infantum. It is classified as a zoonosis, meaning it can, under certain conditions, also be transmitted to humans. The disease is primarily spread through the bite of infected sandflies (genus Phlebotomus in Europe and Lutzomyia in the Americas) and is most prevalent in Mediterranean countries, South America, and parts of Africa and Asia.

Causes and Transmission

The disease is caused by the parasite Leishmania infantum, transmitted through the bite of an infected female sandfly. Sandflies are most active in warm, humid climates and typically bite during dusk and nighttime hours.

Primary host: dogs and other canids such as foxes
Transmission vector: sandflies of the genus Phlebotomus (Europe) and Lutzomyia (Americas)
Less common routes: direct contact, blood transfusions, transplacental transmission (from mother to puppies)
Endemic regions: Mediterranean countries (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece), Middle East, North Africa, Central and South America

Symptoms

Canine leishmaniasis can present with a wide range of symptoms. Many infected dogs remain asymptomatic for extended periods. When the disease becomes active, the following signs are commonly observed:

Skin Symptoms

Scaly, dry skin with excessive dandruff, especially around the eyes and ears
Hair loss (alopecia), particularly around the face
Skin ulcers or nodular lesions
Thickened, wrinkled skin
Nosebleeds

General Symptoms

Weight loss and muscle wasting (cachexia)
Enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
Enlarged spleen and liver (splenomegaly, hepatomegaly)
Kidney disease or failure (renal insufficiency)
Lameness due to joint inflammation
Eye problems such as conjunctivitis or uveitis
Fever and general weakness

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of leishmaniasis in dogs is based on a combination of diagnostic methods:

Serological tests: Detection of antibodies against Leishmania in the blood (ELISA, IFAT)
PCR testing: Molecular detection of parasite DNA from blood, bone marrow, or lymph node samples
Microscopy: Direct detection of the parasite in tissue samples (bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen)
Blood count and biochemistry: Assessment of kidney and liver values, protein profile
Urinalysis: Detection of kidney damage (proteinuria)

Diagnosis should always be made by a veterinarian. Regular screening is recommended for dogs living in or returning from endemic areas.

Treatment

Canine leishmaniasis is generally not completely curable, but with appropriate treatment the disease can be well controlled. The goal of therapy is to suppress the parasite, reduce symptoms, and improve the quality of life of the affected dog.

Medical Treatment

Miltefosine: An orally administered antiparasitic agent that acts directly against the Leishmania parasite
Allopurinol: A medication that inhibits parasite growth and is often used as a long-term treatment
Meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime): An injectable preparation used as a second-line treatment
Combination therapies are often the most effective approach

Supportive Care

Dietary management to protect kidney function
Blood pressure monitoring and treatment of renal complications
Regular veterinary follow-up examinations

Prevention and Protection

Since canine leishmaniasis is transmitted by sandflies, effective insect protection is the most important preventive measure:

Repellents: Spot-on products, protective collars (e.g., deltamethrin collars), or sprays with sandfly-repelling properties
Vaccination: A vaccine for dogs is available (CaniLeish / Letifend), which reduces the risk of disease progression but does not fully prevent infection
Avoiding outdoor activities at dusk and during the night in endemic areas
Regular blood testing for dogs living in or returning from risk areas

Canine Leishmaniasis and Humans

Canine leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease. The parasite can in principle be transmitted to humans, but almost exclusively through the bite of an infected sandfly -- not directly from dog to human. Immunocompromised individuals should exercise extra caution and seek medical advice if their dog has been in an endemic area.

References

World Health Organization (WHO): Leishmaniasis Fact Sheet. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/leishmaniasis (2023)
Solano-Gallego L. et al. - LeishVet guidelines for the practical management of canine leishmaniosis. Parasites & Vectors, 2011; 4:86.
European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP): Guideline 05 - Control of Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs and Cats. 3rd Edition, 2019.

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