Nine reasons to protect your dog from leishmaniasis (even if you do not live in a high-risk area)
- It is a very serious disease
Leishmaniasis is a particularly serious and distressing disease for dogs. It can cause severe physical deterioration and, in advanced cases, death, often as a result of kidney failure. The parasite Leishmania infantum can affect the dog’s whole body. - There is no definitive cure
Leishmaniasis is a chronic disease. Once a dog is infected through the bite of a Phlebotomus sand fly and develops clinical disease, the parasite can progressively affect the circulatory system and vital organs. The illness may progress over months or years and the dog’s condition can deteriorate. Prevention is far preferable, both emotionally and financially, to dealing with advanced disease. - An infected dog does not always show symptoms
A significant proportion of infected dogs may show no symptoms for years, or even throughout their lives; these animals are described as asymptomatic. Genetics can influence how disease develops, with some breeds apparently more susceptible than others. Even so, an asymptomatic dog can later develop clinical signs. - Prevention helps reduce spread to other dogs
An asymptomatic infected dog can contribute to transmission if it is not protected against sand-fly bites. A Phlebotomus sand fly can acquire Leishmania when feeding on an infected dog and later transmit the parasite to another dog. Whether a dog has symptoms or not, preventing further bites is therefore an important part of reducing silent transmission. - It can also affect people
The name Leishmania infantum reflects the fact that the parasite can affect people as well as dogs. Human infection is transmitted by the insect vector rather than directly from a dog. People with weakened immune systems may be at greater risk of illness. Protecting dogs and reducing exposure to sand flies contributes to wider prevention. - Climate change may lengthen the vector’s active season
Phlebotomus sand flies are traditionally most active from late spring through summer, but warmer temperatures can extend the active season in some regions, increasing the period during which preventive measures are useful. - Warmer summers may favour expansion towards northern areas
Higher temperatures, particularly warmer nights, can create suitable conditions in areas where the vector was previously less common. This may contribute to a gradual expansion of leishmaniasis risk beyond its traditional Mediterranean distribution. - Travel can expose dogs to new risk areas
Modern travel means dogs frequently move between regions. A family living in northern Spain may spend a holiday in a Mediterranean area with greater vector activity and return home with an infected dog. Movement between regions is therefore another reason to think about prevention rather than relying only on where a dog normally lives. - Effective preventive options are available
Prevention is generally easier than managing disease. Veterinary preventive options include insect-repellent collars, spot-on products and other measures. Their suitability and duration vary, so the best approach is to ask a veterinarian which combination is appropriate for the dog, the area and the season.