Is leishmaniasis from dogs to humans spread? - here the answer

Leishmaniasis or canine leishmaniasis is one of the most common diseases in dogs that live in areas where this disease is endemic, as in the entire Mediterranean Sea region, including several kilometers inland where there may be moisture, and in some countries from Latin America. In other parts of the world where this disease is not common the dogs do not usually get it, so it does not even take a preventive control of it. People can also suffer the infestation of the parasite that causes this condition, for this reason, it is normal that many people ask themselves this question: does leishmaniasis spread from dogs to humans? Thus, we want to clear up doubts and answer this question and other frequent questions in this regard.

What is leishmaniasis or canine leishmaniasis?

The leishmaniosis is a parasitic disease that can suffer from dogs and is considered serious. It is caused by a parasite called Leishmania infantum which, specifically, is a microscopic protozoan. The form of contagion is through the bite of a female mosquito, of the phlebotomist type, which acts as a vector that, being contaminated with this parasite, inoculates this protozoan in the animal's blood. Only the females transmit it because in this species they are the only ones that feed with blood a few weeks before laying eggs, the males only feed on sap and nectar of some plants.

There are two types of this disease, known as cutaneous leishmania, since it mainly affects this part of the body, and the so-called visceral leishmania, which can directly affect internal organs without hardly showing skin problems at the beginning of the infection.

Although the first symptoms are observed in the skin, as the condition progresses, other organs are affected and, if not treated properly in time, with the progress of this disease in several weeks or a few months the affected animal will die. Luckily, canine lesihmania can now be prevented by using specific repellents of mosquitoes carrying the parasite.

Can leishmaniasis of dogs be spread to people?

One of the first doubts that come to those who have just learned that their hairy has contracted this parasitic disease is if you can stick the lesihmaniasis in dogs to people. That is to say, if once a dog suffers from canine lesihmaniosis it can transmit it to humans in some way. The answer to is simple and clear: the spread of leishmaniasis from dogs to people is not possible.

People can suffer from it, but it is not through contact with dogs or contact with objects they have touched or through their fluids, such as saliva, urine or feces. Although, leishmaniasis from dogs to humans is NOT contagious, it must be taken into account that the fact that our furry has contracted it means that for us there is a greater risk due to the simple fact that in that area there are phlebotomies carriers that can bite us.

Symptoms of leishmaniasis in humans

Leishmaniasis in people produces symptoms similar to those suffered by dogs and should be known to go to the doctor as soon as possible:

• Ulcerative lesions on the skin, which can be painless, except if it is infected, and can heal on its own with the passage of a long time, leaving scars.
• Sores on the mucous membranes.
• Fever.
• Weightloss.
• Alterations in blood tests, such as anemia.
• Symptoms in the spleen, liver and bone marrow, starting with an increase in the size of the liver and spleen.

Does leishmaniasis in humans have a cure?

Fortunately, in the case of people, this disease can be cured. For this it is vital to start a treatment indicated by a doctor promptly, because if you start with the somewhat advanced condition is much more complicated to cure. Thus, if it is diagnosed early and all medical guidelines are followed, human leishmania can be overcome. However, it does seriously affect people with weak immune systems.

Symptoms of leishmaniasis in dogs

To know if your dog has leishmaniasis you will have to look at the main symptoms of canine leishmania and as soon as you detect them, even if it is only one, go to the vet to check your furry to verify or rule out the presence of this parasitic disease and start a treatment if necessary. These are the most common signs in dogs:

• Hair loss in general.
• Lack of marked hair around the eyes, nose and ears.
• Wounds and scabs on the skin, especially on the legs and head.
• Loss of weight, but not of appetite.
• Weakness and apathy
• Exaggerated nail growth.
• Kidney failure and other kidney problems.
• If it is not controlled, it ends up giving death normally due to renal failure.

The image of leishmania in dogs below shows some of the most visible signs.

Canine leishmaniasis have a cure?

No, canine lesihmania can not be cured. However, today it can be prevented, as we have already mentioned, and can also treat the symptoms of canine leishmaniasis to the point of leaving latent parasites.

This means that with the right medication you can control it, so that the parasites no longer continue with their life cycle even if the disease is not completely eliminated and remains for life. If the treatment is withdrawn before the condition is controlled, it may reappear, so the veterinarian's guidelines must be followed well. In addition, to help our furry more we can offer a diet for dogs with leishmaniasis, as well as make the tests every so often to check whether the activity of the parasite has returned or if it is still controlled.

Is leishmaniasis spread among dogs?

Another of the most common questions about the spread of this parasitic disease is if it can be spread among dogs. The certain thing is that in a habitual and direct way the contagion is not possible, but there are exceptions in which the lesihmaniosis of a dog to another one is contagious, mainly in an indirect way:

For example, leishmaniasis is transmitted to puppies in two ways and one of them is between dogs:

• There have been cases in which it has been transmitted from the pregnant mother to her puppies, through the blood.
• Directly being chopped by a carrier phlebotomist.

In the case of the transmission of leishmaniasis among dogs that are not puppies, it has only been given through blood transfusions from an infected dog to a healthy one, infecting the latter, something very unusual. Thus, it can be said that the transmission between dogs is very low and it is complicated that it can occur, however, if it is frequent it is through the vector phlebotomist.