Leishmania A warning for all Dog Owners

itfc1978


Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
19/01/2011 14:06

Our dog TinTin has just been diagnosed with the above. We took all the normal precautions but we did not get TinTin until he was 1 to 2 years old and were not aware that Leish can lay dormant for several years.

Hopefully we have noticed the symptoms early enough and he seems to be responding to treatment



This is a copy of an article that can be found on the KAR website



Dog owners - beware

Kyrenia Animal Rescue want to make people aware of a disease that is fast becoming widespread throughout Cyprus. Buying a ‘Paraband’ collar, or a similar anti-sand fly collar, from a local vet or chemist shop can prevent the spread of what can be, if not diagnosed and treated soon enough, a fatal condition for dogs.

Leishmania are little parasites (protozoa) which affect the white blood cells, causing systemic disease, mainly in dogs.

The transmission of Leishmaniosis is by the Sand Fly, a very tiny fly with white wings. The female sand flies suck blood from their victims in order to bre

itfc1978


Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
19/01/2011 14:10

The limit on charaters makes it difficult to post whole article

Here is link to page, need to look half way down on page left hand side and click on link to article





http://www.kyreniaanimalrescue.org/index.html

jamestalbot


Joined: 20/12/2009
Posts: 958

Message Posted:
19/01/2011 14:27

I lived in Corfu, Greece for almost 8 yrs and latterly had a dog, he got Leishmania, and believe me it was very upsetting for me to watch my dog slowly getting worse. Loosing fur, getting thinner, eventually having difficulty walking, you don't want to put your dog or yourself through that if it can be avoided , so thanks to itfc1978 for posting this warning.



Regards



james

berilela


Joined: 17/07/2010
Posts: 590

Message Posted:
19/01/2011 18:14

back to top

booitsme


Joined: 04/02/2009
Posts: 667

Message Posted:
19/01/2011 19:05

If, like us, you have dogs that love swimming Paraband may not be suitable as it is rendered useless if it gets wet. We use Advantix on our two dogs which comes in drop form like Frontline. It treats fleas, ticks and sandfly but once the product has dried the dog can go swimming. We use it every 3 weeks during the summer and every 4 weeks over the winter months. I know Sibel, at what was Pet Life (not sure of the name now the new "super vets" has opened) did stock it so it may be worthwhile asking there if you have a waterbaby

LaptaMike


Joined: 07/10/2009
Posts: 1679

Message Posted:
19/01/2011 19:10

Are the flea collars at pet shops suitable for stopping sand flies? Not that our dog goes anywhere near sand, he hates water.

kezspot


Joined: 26/11/2007
Posts: 443

Message Posted:
19/01/2011 20:15

message 1 - my dog was diagnosed with Leishmania 6mths ago, and put on treatment straight away, luckily it hadn't gone to her liver, but it may have been inside her for yrs. last week she had a blood test, and although leishmania is still there, it is very faint, as maybe it always will be, so please don't give up, there is hope xxx

Denise


Joined: 14/03/2009
Posts: 590

Message Posted:
19/01/2011 20:43

LaptaMike please don't think that sand flies just come from sand. they can be found anywhere. so Efes can get them even if never going near sand or sea. i thought before that they come from sand but that is only the name given. they really are a worry to us humans as well. my friend was on holiday some time back and never knew he was bitten but ended up with a wound on his arm that wouldn't clear. it took time in the uk to identify it and prescribe the correct treatment in all it took over 2 years to clear. to animals it can be far worse. the collars were 35tl and last 3 months and protect against fleas ticks and the sand flies so really work out cheaper than frontline. the collars that the pet shops sell are just the ordinary flea collars unless they state otherwise.

LaptaMike


Joined: 07/10/2009
Posts: 1679

Message Posted:
19/01/2011 20:52

thanks for that info Denise. I'll get him a proper collar tomorrow.



Here's a short video of him having fun



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlznvPGMUgk

Denise


Joined: 14/03/2009
Posts: 590

Message Posted:
19/01/2011 21:00

tried to view but says it's unlisted and only those with the link can see it! don't quite know what that means.

LaptaMike


Joined: 07/10/2009
Posts: 1679

Message Posted:
19/01/2011 21:24

hmm should work. I wonder if the government are blobking YouTude again?

LaptaMike


Joined: 07/10/2009
Posts: 1679

Message Posted:
19/01/2011 21:31

I really should take typing lessons

Scoty


Joined: 23/05/2010
Posts: 846

Message Posted:
19/01/2011 21:47

Worked fine just now

itfc1978


Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
19/01/2011 23:46

Thank you message seven.

We will never give up on TinTin as long as long as it is right for him.

But I do want to warn other dog owners be watchful, get in quick if necessary, and your family member will have a chance

BoTanica


Joined: 22/12/2009
Posts: 714

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 09:15

Lovely looking dog Mike!!

puppylover



Joined: 05/05/2008
Posts: 1427

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 09:26

Good luck with TinTin. I really hope he responds to the treatment.



Mike....what a super dog Efes is....think you might need to buy him some chew bones!!!!!

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 09:41

When some expat contracts a nasty dose of 'visceral leichmaniasis', people might wake up and come to their senses. Of course, let's all hope it will never happen...........



Let's not 'cross swords' over this subject again, 'puppylover'!



If anyone has ever noticed, mossies and sandflies normally make a 'bee-line' for a dog, or cat's, nostrils, as that is the source of the carbon dioxide that attracts them - so, collars may be partially effective against fleas, but not these virulent b@stards!

Denise


Joined: 14/03/2009
Posts: 590

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 10:05

Mike, i tried again today and was able to view, what a beauty efes is

Panchocat


Joined: 29/11/2009
Posts: 1333

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 10:10

itfc1978



What were the symptoms you first noticed please?

Can you describe them for me.

Thanks.

itfc1978


Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 11:03

http://www.leishmaniasis.info/

The above website lists all the symptoms



He had none of the physical signs, for example weight/fur loss.



He became lethargic and started drinking more water.

Lethargy is one of the signs of leish, drinking more then normal a sign that his kidneys were being attacked by the parasit

puppylover



Joined: 05/05/2008
Posts: 1427

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 12:03

Tenakoutou msg 17.



"Let's not 'cross swords' over this subject again, puppylover!"



As this is aimed at me, please explain this comment.

Tinkie


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 1256

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 12:35

I think that comment was intended for me Puppy Lover as Tenakoutou and I have had many crossed words over Leishmaniasis in the past.



All I will say is that my dog responded very well to the treatment for Leishmaniasis, her symptoms were loss of bladder control, stiff joints and her hair went very wirey. We put all of those things down to old age but they all turned around after only a few weeks on the medication. Sadly the medication that my dog was on (Allopurniol) is toxic, and can cause organ damage. My dog was monitored closely, but the tests didnt pick up a large tumour on her liver and eventually she developed a heart condition which may or may not have been connected to the medication or Leishmaniasis, as she was 11 years old. I wouldnt have changed anything, as she had almost 2 years of good quality life on the medication, and I cherished that time. You have to do what is best for your dog and your circumstances. Best wishes to you and your dog.

Panchocat


Joined: 29/11/2009
Posts: 1333

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 12:35

itfc1978



Thanks for that; one of ours has had a blood test today, I took him with a sore rash on his tummy. He has worn a paraband all summer, but he was a rescue dog that we got when he was 3 months old, so we hope it hasn't been dormant in him.

Hoping the blood test comes back OK tomorrow.

blade


Joined: 19/06/2010
Posts: 1286

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 13:17

Research online and you will find it can be dormant for up to seven years.

It is pandemic here!

Panchocat


Joined: 29/11/2009
Posts: 1333

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 13:31

Thank you for that Blade. I know but am hoping he will be in the clear.

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 16:41

Our dog Spike was diagnosed with Leishmania in August last year - I took him to our vet because I thought he had a chest infection and while there asked Pertev to look at his elbows as the fur had come off and looked sore. He immediatly asked if he could take a blood test. It came back positive for Leishmania which devestated us but Pertev said Spike had a chance and we opted for the eridication treatment expensive but well worth it. Spike had lost his appitite and some fur and was lethargic. He is now back to normal eating us out of house and home bouncing around and generally looks great. He still has eight months on daily tablets but it has been worth it. We have another dog and we had him tested but he was clear. We are so grateful to Pertev at Hospetal.

itfc1978


Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 17:07

TopTen



What is "the eridication treatment "



Is this different to Allopurinal?

booitsme


Joined: 04/02/2009
Posts: 667

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 17:08

Laptamike - love the video, he's a real character. It is so good to see a happy ending. Sorry I didn't get back about the collars but haven't been on line. I haven't seen Advantix in any of the petshops but it is still a fairly new product. We found that Advantix worked out cheaper and easier than Frontline and a Paraband collar and our 2 don't react to the Advantix the way they used to with Frontline - they always became lethargic for a couple of days after it was first applied. Hope this helps.

jamestalbot


Joined: 20/12/2009
Posts: 958

Message Posted:
20/01/2011 17:13

I am sorry to say it but this disease has no cure yet, there are medicines to prevent or slow it down, but eventually the dog will die, I know from past experience, best wishes to all who's dog's have contracted this disease.





Regards James

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
21/01/2011 14:10

Itfc 1978, Yes the treatment is differant Spike was on liquid medicine for one month ( can't remember the name ) which he had to be weighed and the dosage worked out from there. Once this was complete he then embarked on 12 months course of alliperinol which he is still taking. We saw a marked improvement within 3 weeks and as I said before he is bouncing with health. I will try to find out the name of the medicine.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
21/01/2011 14:33

Msg 1.... So presumably the dogs at KAR are now all wearing Paraband Collars Following the increase of this "Human Contractable Disease",here in TRNC.............

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
23/01/2011 20:21

oh dear no answer...

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
24/01/2011 09:52

martinD41 - you posted a very valid point.



'puppylover' - re. msg 21 - please accept my unreserved apology if I was mistaken, and thank you 'tinkie' for your timely posting.



My stance on this subject doesn't alter, however - known leichmaniasis infected dogs should be removed from society in order to protect the public.

puppylover



Joined: 05/05/2008
Posts: 1427

Message Posted:
24/01/2011 10:44

Tenakoutou



No problem....thank you for taking the time to reply.



Have a nice day.



Judy

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
24/01/2011 11:20

The Question remains...KAR issued a warning regarding Leichmaniasis (Which is a serious health risk to Humans)

Can we therefore assume that all the dogs at KAR are now wearing "Paraband" collars (at 35tl per dog),in order to protect the General Public/Dog walkers??

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
24/01/2011 18:59

No answer, strange????

Meerkat


Joined: 21/01/2011
Posts: 368

Message Posted:
24/01/2011 20:56

Thanks for that information I will pass the info on to my dog lover friends. I hate those sand flies near my dog. I hope Tin tin will be well soon.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
25/01/2011 11:06

Dogs attract sandflies more than humans - this is a fact. If you want to avoid a nasty bout of *'Sicilian Sandfly Fever' - don't sit close to your dog(s) on a Summer's evening!



Try 'Googling' *SSF - you might then heed my warning more seriously!

blade


Joined: 19/06/2010
Posts: 1286

Message Posted:
25/01/2011 11:19

Tena, I have to agree with you on that one. Even as a dog lover.

If you look online you will see that it can be transfered between dog via saliva or blood as well. This is what happened in the UK, where there are no sandflies.

Research more and you will see how dangerous this is.

Dogs here i am also told have been contracting TB. Another hazard.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
25/01/2011 11:29

blade/Msg 39 - thanks for your corroboration!



The warnings are all out there + plenty on this forum.............but so they are re. buying property in Cyprus.



However, it's all rather like a 'motor smash'..........'It couldn't happen to me..... !'

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
25/01/2011 11:35

So are KAR issuing Paraband collars to there "Multitudinous Canines" in order to reduce the risk to JOE PUBLIC ?

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
25/01/2011 13:19

MartinD41



Most of the dogs at KAR are not issued with parabands. However, before people start to have a go at KAR, this is probably down to sheer economics as 250+ dogs at 35TL every 3 months amounts to around 9000TL per quarter or 36000TL (approx £15k) per annum. The charity simply doesn't have that sort of additional funding available.



That said, I have been doing the vets run at KAR for over 2 years and in all that time I have seen less than half a dozen cases of leish. In those cases the dogs were, using UK sourced drugs, humanely put to sleep. I can only put these low numbers down to the fact that all areas inhabited by the dogs are disinfected daily.



Regards



Paul

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
25/01/2011 14:01

msg 42,Paul, Thank you for your reply.I did not know that "infected Dog's" were put down by KAR when they show signs of Leish.....Let's hope the number of cases can be controlled,simply by the use of Disinfectant..

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
25/01/2011 14:19

Thank god for that, this explains why GR and Oracle my two Alsatians have been behaving in such a Greek way. I thought I would have to put them both down. I was very worried for a while.



What I don't understand is why they themselves have been such blood suckers? can anybody explain it?