Attention: doses alopurinol twice a day
www.leishmaniasis.info
LEISHMANIOSE
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.
PCR
test now available http://www.aegis.com/pubs/atn/1988/ATN06002.html
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
Attention: doses alopurinol twice a day