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Vet’s Corner

All of the galgos we rescue are tested for Leishmaniasis, Babesiosis, Heartworm
and Ehrlichiosis which are diseases that occur in Mediterranean countries but
are not commonly known or endemic in the UK. The tests we undertake are to
ascertain whether an individual galgo is currently infected with this disease but
diagnosis can be challenging and latent infections can be difficult to diagnose.
I give below more information on one of these diseases, Leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis:

Causing agent:

Leishmaniasis is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum, which
is transmitted by sand flies of the Phlebotomus species. Dogs are the major
reservoir for this infection.

Geographical distribution in Europe:

Leishmania infantum can be found in Spain in the Mediterranean coast, south
coast and some central regions like Madrid, in most of the parts of Italy, being
more predominant in the southern regions and Sardinia and in Mediterranean
coast of France.

Transmission:

The Leishmania parasite is transmitted to the dog by the bite of the sandfly
when feeding on the dogs’ blood. The most common time of the year for the
sandfly to feed on the dog is from April until late September. Sandflies are
weather dependent and are more predominant near water sources like rivers.
The incubation period can take from 3 months to seven years. Leishmaniasis is
a zoonotic disease; this means it can be transmitted to humans by the sandfly
as a vector, so the dog can act as a reservoir for the parasite. This transmission
can happen in countries in Southern Europe where the sandfly is present;
however the clinical signs would not be like the dog’s clinical signs. Recently
blood transmission has been reported and, therefore, we recommend none of
our re-homed galgos act as blood donors.

Clinical signs:

Leishmaniasis can have many different clinical signs like skin lesions (scaling,
hair loss and ulceration especially of the head and pressure points), abnormal
nails growth, recurrent conjunctivitis, decreased appetite and weight loss,
exercise intolerance and lethargy, vomiting and blood found in the stools.
However the most common ones are Epistaxis (Nose bleeds), ocular
abnormalities and renal (Kidney) failure. On clinical examination enlarged
lymph nodes and spleen can be observed. Renal failure due to immune-complex
glomerulonephritis eventually develops and is believed to be the main cause of
death in dogs.

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