Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Canine Leishmaniosis Prevention and Welfare

Leishmaniosis is a serious parasitic disease in dogs in southern Europe and spreading northward with climate change, requiring prevention and management strategies.

Key Facts

Leishmania infantum is transmitted by sandfly bites primarily in Mediterranean countries
The disease causes skin lesions, weight loss, kidney failure, and death if untreated
Vaccination is available and significantly reduces disease severity
Prophylactic insecticide collars and spot-ons prevent sandfly bites
UK dogs returning from endemic areas may develop disease months later

Welfare Considerations

Leishmaniosis causes progressive chronic disease with significant suffering from skin, kidney, and systemic involvement. The disease is now spreading northward with climate change, putting dogs in previously unaffected regions at risk. Prevention through vaccination and sandfly repellents in endemic areas, combined with early detection in returned traveller dogs, maximises welfare by preventing or treating disease early.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate and use sandfly repellents for dogs in endemic regions
Screen dogs returning from Mediterranean holidays for Leishmania
Support climate monitoring for sandfly expansion into new UK regions