If you live around here, leishmaniasis isn't some distant worry — we come across it every year at the clinic. Ileia's warm climate is exactly what the sandfly that carries it loves. The good news is that, with a little awareness and the right prevention, you can make a real difference.
How it spreads
The culprit is a tiny sandfly — not the dog next door. It bites mostly at dusk and through the night, from May to October, and that's when it passes on the parasite.
Let's clear up something that worries a lot of people: your dog doesn't "catch" it from another dog through contact, and it can't pass it to you either. Without the sandfly in the middle, there's no transmission.
Don't wait until you see sandflies
Here in Ileia the risk climbs in summer, but protection needs to start back in early spring. By the time you spot a sandfly, you're already late.
What to watch for
The tricky thing about leishmaniasis is how long it takes to show — often months pass after the bite. So keep an eye out if you notice:
- Hair loss around the eyes and nose, dry skin or dandruff
- Wounds that just won't heal, nails that grow too long
- Weight loss, less appetite, a general weakness
- Swollen lymph nodes
How we reach a diagnosis
It all comes down to a blood test: a serology test that looks for antibodies, along with biochemistry and haematology so we can see how the kidneys and proteins are doing.
Since we have the analysers here, we get an answer on the spot — so if needed, we start the right management right away.
Prevention is everything
It all hinges on stopping that sandfly bite. Here's what works:
- A repellent collar or spot-on through the whole season, April to November
- Fewer walks at dusk, when sandflies are out in force
- A screen or net if your dog sleeps outdoors
- The leishmaniasis vaccine — let's talk it over together
Is there a cure?
I won't tell you otherwise: leishmaniasis doesn't fully "go away". But with an early diagnosis and the right treatment, a dog lives a normal life for years — as long as we keep an eye on things once a year.