Canine leishmaniasis injection

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

I hadn't heard of this until our friends took their dog to the Mediterranean.

 

Dogs can catch leishmaniasis by being bitten by an infected sandfly, which seem to be rife from May to September according to one website. The disease causes heartworm, which is often fatal and develops into a long and heartbreaking illness.

 

A company called Virbac have developed a vaccine that can be used instead of the special collars that owners have been using, like Scalibor. According to our vet, it requires a blood test to see if the dog is infected, then a series of 3 vaccinations at weekly intervals. After that, an annual booster is needed.

 

Speaking as a dog owner, I think this development could be a big relief for people whose dogs visit affected areas, which seem to be all around the Mediterranean. I would feel that a vaccine would be more effective than a collar that I believe can be weakened if it gets wet and also runs the risk of polluting any water the dog might swim in.

 

My best, HB

[raydetinu]

you can also get a heartworm vaccine, single shot, which lasts for six months before you go abroad?

[citizenB]

Thanks for alerting us to this, HB. With pets being allowed to travel freely to and from Europe, Pet owners need to be made aware.

[honeybee13]

you can also get a heartworm vaccine, single shot, which lasts for six months before you go abroad?

 

Do you mean for people, raydetinu?

 

HB

[raydetinu]

No Dogs! HB

[honeybee13]

I haven't heard of that one. I don't suppose you know the manufacturer, do you?

 

HB

[citizenB]

I have been googling this disease and it sounds pretty horrid.

[honeybee13]

I don't claim to be an expert in this at all, but another site team member mentioned a heartworm that comes from your dog eating slugs and snails and I think there may be others.

 

I had no idea it was so dangerous to be a dog.

 

HB

[Janie1962]

Yes, it's horrible! It's lungworm that comes from slugs. My dog never eats anything outside, but he does play with footballs etc which could potentially have slugs/snails on them, but his regular wormer (Panacur) also sorts this out.

[raydetinu]

I believe its called 'proheart' but check with vet there may well be others.

Yes slugs/snails can have the parasite that can cause lungworm which is very harmfull to dogs and indeed humans if eaten. So check that salad!!!

[honeybee13]

Hello Ray. I had a quick look around earlier and found Proheart. I think it might be for a different worm. It's made by Pfizer, but I didn't find their website all that helpful.

 

HB

[raydetinu]

Try here. defo heartworm.

https://animalhealth.pfizer.com/sites/pahweb/US/EN/Products/Pages/ProHeart%C2%AE6(moxidectin).aspx

 

or indeed a vet.

[honeybee13]

Hello again.

 

I found this about Proheart.

 

INDICATIONS:

ProHeart 6 is indicated for use in dogs six months of age and older for the prevention of heartworm disease caused by

Dirofilaria immitis.

ProHeart 6 is indicated for the treatment of existing larval and adult hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria

stenocephala) infections.

 

I have no idea what Dirofilaria immitis is, but I'm guessing it's not the same thing as leishmaniasis. I'll check though, thank you.

[honeybee13]

I'm not sure when this was published, but this is a link to Liverpool university's map of where Dirofilaria immitis occurs.

 

http://www.testapet.com/maps/d_immitis_map.htm

 

HB

[honeybee13]

This is what wikipedia says.

 

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites that belong to the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by the bite of certain species of sand fly (subfamily Phlebotominae). Although the majority of the literature mentions only one genus transmitting Leishmania to humans (Lutzomyia) in America, a 2003 study by Galati suggested a new classification for American sand flies, elevating several subgenera to the genus level. Elsewhere in the world, the genus Phlebotomus is considered the vector of leishmaniasis.[1]

[hightail]

Yes, it's horrible! It's lungworm that comes from slugs. My dog never eats anything outside, but he does play with footballs etc which could potentially have slugs/snails on them, but his regular wormer (Panacur) also sorts this out.

At least you know that. There's quite a lot of publicity about heartworm at the moment and because it's not well known about in the UK owners are understandably worried. This may be treated as a cash cow by some practices because most advertising and literature doesn't happen to mention that many existing wormers are adequate prevention/treatment. As with everything - check before you part with your hard earned cash.

[honeybee13]

Good point, guys, thank you.

 

HB

[honeybee13]

In case it's helpful, here's a link to the Virbac website for more information. I've seen a map of where the leishmaniasis parasite occurs, but I think it might be in French. I'll have a look and post again because I realise that this disease happens in a limited area and mainly affects passported pets.

 

http://www.virbac.co.uk/product.aspx?pid=137&product=99&&condition=23#page=page-RESOURCES

 

HB