Canine leishmaniosis is a serious parasitic disease endemic in Southern Europe and spreading northward with climate change. Affecting skin, kidneys, and immune function, it requires lifelong management in affected dogs.
Canine leishmaniosis causes chronic, multisystem disease with significant welfare impacts through skin discomfort, kidney failure, and secondary infections. As climate change expands the sandfly range northward, more dogs in Northern Europe will be at risk. Vaccinating dogs travelling to or from endemic areas, using effective parasite control, and monitoring imported dogs for early disease prevents welfare suffering.