LEISHMANIASIS
information
from
www.goedleven.be
Click here for Portuguese information on the
treatment of Leishmaniasis such as type and
doses
Glucantime (injections) as a starter boost if
the kidneys and liver are functioning well - Alopurinol
(tablets) in a sustained correct dose for life (twice a
day).
START THE TREATMENT WITH THE COMBINATION OF
GLUCANTIME AND ALOPURINOL!
Glucantime 20-30 doses depending on the
progress of the treatment
Visible symptoms
are:
Wounds that
won't heal at the ears, nostrils, legs, pads and/or bottom,
"cauliflower" nose, dermatitis with scabs most notable
around the eyes, protruding crooked nails in damaged
nail-beds, watery eyes, loss of weight,
depression
information
from www.goedleven.be
WARNING:
We are informed on a number of incidences of false test
results by "instant result" tests.
The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is named as an
excellent test.
Note
AAP: We do not approve of killing dogs that can be
cured.
Leishmaniasis is
considered to be a contagious and dangerous disease which
it is NOT. False test results have a serious repercussion
on the lives of dogs. In many countries dogs with
Leishmaniasis have to be killed. Consequently dogs with
false positive test results have been killed too! Acting on
false test results also leads to unnecessary burdensome and
costly treatment or no treatment for dogs that need it. So
it is very important to be sure before you
act.
The PCR
(polymerase chain reaction) test is named as an excellent
test.The Witness test is a generally used test for
detection of Leishmaniasis amongst other blood disorders.
In case of a positive test result a second test to verify
the primary outcome and to define the basis for treatment
is needed.
To eliminate
false test results this should be done by a specified, good
laboratory. For practical purposes I.F.I. (Indirect Immuno
Fluorescence) is the best lab test, although more
sophisticated ones are also available.
For the Iberian
peninsula the lab of Dr. Echevarne in Barcelona is named as
the best for this second test. Barcelona Tel.: 935 040 100
Fax: 932 154 838 Director: Dr. Fernando Echevarne Horario:
lunes a viernes: 6.00-21.00 h nbspsábado: 8.00-13.00
h
For the north of
Europe: Med. Lab. Marienhof MG in Germany fax: 0049 2161
819475.
Dutch
laboratorium for several types of bloodtests EVL;
European
Veterinary Laboratory Postbus 198 3440AD Woerden.
Tel.:
0348-412549 Fax: 0348-414626
Visit these web
sites:
LEISHMANIASIS
by
D. Strauss-Ayali and G. Baneth
Leishmania Donovani Infantum, an approach to
the problem
by Gonzalo Grijelmo also English
text
Idexx provides
diagnostic tests which the veterinarian can do him (her)
self.
With some drops
of blood a dog can be tested in some minutes on several
parasites that are in the Meditaranean
region.
There is a
combined test for heartworm, lyme and Erlichia and one test
for Leishmania.
Idexx is
situated in several countries.
The Spanish
address is: Idexx Laboratorios S.L.
Avda. Diagonal
n" 618, 5"F 08021 Barcelona,Spain
In short, be
very careful avoiding dramatic consequences of false test
results and have second tests done by an excellent
lab.
Leishmaniasis is
caused by a protozoal parasite. It is primarily found in
(sub)tropical areas such as the Mediterranean basin and in
the Middle East. Leishmaniasis is not, as people believe,
transmitted by the mosquito but by the bite of the very
small female sandfly. A characteristic feature of the
sandfly is that they move in groups as erratically jumping
small clouds in the air. This sandfly is active from before
sunset and during the night. Keep your pets inside
especially at night. People can not get Leishmaniasis from
their pets but they can be bitten by the sandfly as
well.
Symptoms of
Leishmaniasis in dogs include weight loss, swelling of the
joints, lameness, bleeding, and swelling of lymph nodes.
Skin lesions and kidney failure frequently develop in
afflicted dogs. The disease can be fatal in dogs as the
organs gradually get severely damaged. Treatment with
Glucantime injections results in remission of the disease
though not a totally "clean" recovery. Life-long follow up
treatment with Alopurinol will prevent multiplication of
the surviving parasites. In other words, the parasite is
very difficult to eradicate from an infected dog but - if
detected in an early stadium before vital organs are
damaged - the dog can lead a normal
life.
If any of you
have had personal experience with canine Leishmaniasis, we
would like to hear from you.
As progress is
made in the treatment of Leishmaniasis we should be less
inclined to kill lovely animals that can lead a normal life
with the right treatment. Information on the new treatment:
Oleyl-PC newly developed by Prof. Dr H. Eibel, fax 0049-
5512011753; tel secr (8.00-12.00) 0049
5512011315
Visit
Canine visceral
Leishmaniasis
Our personal
experience:
Our lovely dog
was feeling unwell and depressed. After a blood test by our
veterinarian we heard that she has Leishmaniasis. After
determining that kidney and liver functions were OK she
received the initial cure with 21 Glucantime (antimoniato
de N- metilglucamina) subcutaneous injections every other
day to bring down the number of parasites. As follow up she
gets 300 mg Uriprim (alopurinol) pills twice a day to
prevent eventual remaining parasites to multiply. She is
happy and playing and running with our other dogs like
before. We wanted to keep her alive and we are very happy
we did so. We are very grateful to our veterinarian for is
excellent guidance in this matter.
Click here for Portuguese information on the
treatment of Leishmaniasis