Countries around the world are tightening their regulations for pet immigration in an effort to prevent the spread of diseases – particularly leishmaniasis – among animals.
That’s happening because more people are moving around with their fur babies, and stronger rules protect everyone. The latest expansion is testing dogs for leishmaniasis.
Walter M. Woolf, Air Animal Pet Movers founding veterinarian and CEO
Air Animal Pet Movers reports that dogs entering South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia must now provide a negative leishmaniasis blood test conducted within 60 days of arrival. Uruguay has recently implemented this requirement as well. Dogs found to have the disease are prohibited from entering these countries. Additionally, the availability of leishmaniasis testing labs has expanded, with the test previously only accessible in Europe but now also offered in the United States.
Leishmaniasis poses a serious threat to dogs, as it can be fatal and is transmitted through bites from specific sandflies. While infected dogs cannot transmit the disease to humans, they can pass it on to other animals. Symptoms of leishmaniasis in dogs may include skin issues, bloody nose, weight loss, seizures, fur loss, swollen glands, kidney failure, and swollen joints. Dogs diagnosed with leishmaniasis should seek treatment from their local veterinarians and refrain from travelling.
Notably, cases of leishmaniasis have been identified in the United States, primarily in imported foxhounds and working dogs returning from Bangladesh, Brazil, India, and Sudan, where the most severe cases are found. There have also been instances of people developing skin problems from leishmaniasis after visiting the Eastern U.S. seaboard.
Leishmania infantum is widespread in Mediterranean countries, where it is commonly found in wild and domesticated dogs.
Leishmaniasis symptoms, treatment, preventive measures
The only signs of disease that may be visible include nosebleeds, eye irregularities, or symptoms of kidney disease without skin irregularities. Canine leishmaniosis-related skin lesions consist of exfoliative dermatitis, which can appear all over the body or concentrated on the face, ears, and limbs. Ulcerative, nodular, or mucocutaneous dermatitis are also observed. Skin ulcers on the ears or other areas may lead to significant bleeding. A mild form of papular dermatitis has been documented in dogs displaying no other disease symptoms. Ocular or periocular lesions include keratoconjunctivitis and uveitis.
Canine leishmaniosis diagnostic tests include a complete blood count, biochemical profile, urinalysis, and one or more specific tests to confirm infection.
The standard treatment for canine leishmaniosis typically involves administering N-methylglucamine antimoniate at a dosage of 50–100 mg/kg, subcutaneously, over a period of 4–6 weeks, in conjunction with allopurinol at a dosage of 10 mg/kg, orally, twice daily, for 6–12 months or longer as necessary. Allopurinol can also be used as the sole therapeutic agent at the same dosage. It is important to note that treatment often does not completely eradicate the infection. Treated dogs may continue to carry the infection and could experience a recurrence. Additionally, they may remain capable of transmitting the infection to sand flies.
Human leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that affects humans and is commonly found in tropical, subtropical, and southern European regions. It is categorized as a neglected tropical disease (NTD). There are various human forms of leishmaniasis, with the most prevalent being cutaneous leishmaniasis, which leads to skin sores, and visceral leishmaniasis, impacting internal organs such as the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. Human visceral leishmaniosis, caused by L. infantum, poses a significant public health concern in regions where canine leishmaniosis is widespread. In these areas, dogs continue to serve as the primary source of infection.
Prevention: To safeguard both dogs and humans, it is recommended to use bug sprays containing DEET to repel sandflies. Studies have demonstrated that a collar containing deltamethrin and a spot-on mixture of permethrin and imidacloprid can provide protection against sand fly bites. It is recommended to use these protective insecticides on dogs in areas where Leishmania is common, on dogs that are travelling to locations where the disease is prevalent, and on dogs that are already infected in order to reduce the potential for transmission.
Commercial vaccines that have been purified and fractionated to combat canine leishmaniosis are being sold in Europe and Brazil, and other vaccines are currently being developed. However, no vaccines against leishmaniosis are authorized for use in the United States and can only be utilized with a permit from the USDA.