Canine leishmaniasis is a serious parasitic disease that can be fatal for our dogs. It is one of the diseases with the highest seroprevalence in our country: in fact, it is considered endemic in Spain and in other European countries.
In the following article on our site, we want to talk to you about how the general increase in temperatures in Spain (and in the world) has led to an increase in the activity ofphlebotomines , the mosquitoes responsible for transmitting leishmaniasis, throughout the year in areas where they did not exist before. Therefore, read on and learn more about the relationship between the increase in leishmaniasis in dogs and climate change in Spain
What is canine leishmaniasis?
Canine leishmaniasis is a disease caused by a parasite called Leishmania that spreads through a very small insect, similar to to a mosquito, called a sandfly. Sandflies transmit leishmaniasis from one dog to another after biting a dog infected with the disease.
The symptoms of leishmaniasis in dogs may include:
- Alopecia.
- Weightloss.
- Infections in internal organs: such as the kidney.
However, you may not experience all or even any of the symptoms listed. In addition, leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease, which means that it can be transmitted from dogs to people but only through the bite of the sandfly, an insect that transmits this disease, and never directly through the dog.
How do temperatures affect sandflies?
Canine leishmaniasis used to be associated with the spring-summer season, which began in May and ended in September. But the general increase in temperatures over recent years (the temperature in Spain has been increasing by 0.3% every decade since the 1960s [1]) has extended the period of activity for sandflies.
Now they can be found practically throughout the year, since various studies have shown that sandflies can remain active (and continue to transmit canine leishmaniasis) through December[2, 3]
The general increase in temperatures has not only prolonged the number of months in which sandflies are active, but also their distribution has increasedgeographic reaching areas where they were barely found before. Specifically, the prevalence of sandflies witnessed in regions considered 'coldest', such as Asturias or Cantabria, has increased considerably in recent years[2]
In short, the sand fly, and consequently leishmaniasis in dogs, is a threat at any time of the year andanywhere in Spain. As a family, it is our duty to react and protect them during every month of the year against this disease.
How to prevent the risk of leishmaniasis in dogs throughout the year?
There are many treatments that can minimize the risk of your dog being bitten by a sandfly and thus contracting canine leishmaniasis. As a first step in fighting this disease, schedule an appointment with your vet and ask for information on the best treatment for your furry dog.
Apart from reducing the risk with the use of antiparasitic products, it is important to remember that sandflies are more active during sunset and dusk, so we recommend you avoid the walks at that time and not letting him sleep outside.
To breed, sandflies often prefer holes and cracks such as basements, garbage cans, or tree roots, because they are moist and protected. It is highly advisable to check the interior and exterior spaces of your home and install mosquito nets on the windows to prevent the passage of sandflies into your home.
Last but not least, it is vital for your dog's well-being to visit the vet at least once a year for a diagnostic test.
