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Last Updated on June 19, 2023 by Thee Puppypreneur
WHAT IS LEISHMANIASIS IN DOGS
Leishmaniasis is a microscopic parasite. This protozoan parasite lives in the tissues and cells of other organisms like you or your furbaby.
Leishmaniasis in dogs is transmitted through the bite of female sand flies that have been infected with Leishmania.1CDC – Leishmaniasis This disease is zoonotic which means it is transmittable from pet to humans.
Your furbaby doesn’t even necessarily need to be bitten by a sand fly to be infected. If your pet comes into contact with another infected dog then it is also transmittable that way.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LEISHMANIASIS IN DOGS
Leishmaniasis in dogs, commonly affects the skin and the organs of your furbaby. This disease has an incubation period that could last for months or years and it is dependent on several underlying factors including your dog’s immune system response to the infection before and after they were infected.
Some dogs may not show any symptoms outwardly. Dogs that are infected can show a broad range of symptoms or none at all ranging from;
- Weight loss
- Skin lesions (head, ears and legs)
- Lameness
- Black tarry stools
- Nosebleeds
- Vomiting
- Kidney issues (drinking and peeing more)
- Eye issues
- Swollen lymph nodes
HOW IS LEISHMANIASIS IN DOGS DIAGNOSED
There are several different tests that can be done to confirm suspicion of leishmaniasis in dogs and rule out other possible diseases.
- CBC (check for anemia and thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
- Serum chemistry (check for high protein, liver enzymes, kidney function, etc)
- Urinalysis
- ELISA test (enzyme-linked immunoassay) snap blood test
There are other diagnostic tests that can be performed but this is the most basic listed above. Your veterinarian will run more tests, if necessary, based upon what they do or don’t find.
HOW IS LEISHMANIASIS IN DOGS TREATED
There is no cure for leishmaniasis in dogs but there is medication to help ease the symptoms.
Depending on what symptoms are presenting in from leishmaniasis in dogs will determine the course of treatment. If your dog is showing signs of skin lesions then antibiotics and topicals may be prescribed.
- N-methylglucamine antirnoniate (Not approved in USA for dogs)
- Miltefosine (Not approved in USA for dogs)
- Allopurinol (brand name Zyloprim®) and should be used with caution in patients with kidney or liver issues. This drug is used to treat excessive uric acid which can cause calcium oxalate stones or kidney stones.2https://www.rxlist.com/zyloprim-drug.htm
SIDE NOTE:
In a study on dogs that achieved remission after months and months of treatment on medication, Allopurinol was continued once a week, a month on a group of dogs that achieved remission and studies showed that while the dogs that discontinued treatment relapsed, 86% relapsed in 14 months, the dogs on Allopurinol intermittently were in remission for 10-44 months.3Ginel, P. J., Lucena, R., López, R., & Molleda, J. M. (1998). Use of allopurinol for maintenance of remission in dogs with leishmaniasis. The Journal of small animal practice, 39(6), 271–274. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.1998.tb03649.x
- Domperidone (brand name Motilium®)
“increases the movements or contractions of the stomach bowel”4https://www.drugs.com/cons/domperidone.html
“potential cardiotoxicity when given with other drugs that inhibit CYP450s liver enzymes”5Travi, B. L., & Miró, G. (2018). Use of domperidone in canine visceral leishmaniasis: gaps in veterinary knowledge and epidemiological implications. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 113(11), e180301. https://doi.org/10.1590/0074-02760180301
- Marbofloxacin also known by many other brand names such as; Zeniquin®, Aristos®, Boflox®, Forcyl®, Kelacyl®, Marbocyl®, Aurizon® this drug was given to 28 dogs suffering with leishmaniasis and CKD or chronic kidney disease and it was discovered that it killed 72% of the parasite load and is considered
“very safe drug in dogs with CKD and leishmaniasis.”6Pineda, C., Aguilera-Tejero, E., Morales, M. C., Belinchon-Lorenzo, S., Gomez-Nieto, L. C., Garcia, P., Martinez-Moreno, J. M., Rodriguez-Ortiz, M. E., & Lopez, I. (2017). Treatment of canine leishmaniasis with marbofloxacin in dogs with renal disease. PloS one, 12(10), e0185981. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0185981
WHAT ALTERNATIVES AND NATURAL REMEDIES TO LEISHMANIASIS IN DOGS ARE THERE
There have been several studies done on herbs and their efficacy against leishmaniasis but not necessarily leishmaniasis in dogs. Since this disease is dependent on how the dog’s immune system responds to the infection7Ruiz, J. H., & Becker, I. (2007). CD8 cytotoxic T cells in cutaneous leishmaniasis. Parasite immunology, 29(12), 671–678. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3024.2007.00991.x it is important that their T-cells are optimally functioning since
“T cells are like soldiers who search out and destroy the targeted invaders.”8https://www.medicinenet.com/t_cell/definition.htm
ASTRAGALUS
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) is considered an adaptogenic herb. It is also regarded as an immune enhancing tonic. It helps boost the activity, production and function of T-cells.9Hou, Y. C., Wu, J. M., Wang, M. Y., Wu, M. H., Chen, K. Y., Yeh, S. L., & Lin, M. T. (2015). Modulatory Effects of Astragalus Polysaccharides on T-Cell Polarization in Mice with Polymicrobial Sepsis. Mediators of inflammation, 2015, 826319. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/826319 10Jin, H., Luo, Q., Zheng, Y., Nurahmat, M., Wu, J., Li, B., Lv, Y., Wang, G., Duan, X., & Dong, J. (2013). CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells contribute to the antiasthmatic effects of Astragalus membranaceus extract in a rat model of asthma. International immunopharmacology, 15(1), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2012.11.009 11https://ndnr.com/autoimmuneallergy-medicine/herbs-autoimmunity-using-botanicals-to-balance-t-cell-activity/
“Astragalus appears to help trigger immune cells from a resting state into heightened activity.”12https://www.alive.com/health/astragalus-the-immune-warrior/
I use astragalus in my little girl, daily and this is the product that I use
It is organic and sun dried but not an extract.
If you are looking for an extract then
is an option however it is only 4 oz bag,
So, if you are looking to save some money then you can go with the non-organic option which is approx. 1 pound of
from Bulk Supplements.
Another option is organic liquid extract made from glycerin and not alcohol such as
ASHWAGANDHA
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is another adaptogenic herb.
“Recent lab studies have demonstrated that the withaferin A compound from ashwagandha extracts consistently inhibit the Leishmania donovani version of the parasite.”13https://www.ashwagandha.com/modern-medical-uses/antimicrobial/196-what-bacteria-is-ashwagandha-effective-against
Steriodal lactones are one of the compounds and within those lactones are the active constituents withanolids and withaferins which are primarily found in ashwagandha’s leaves.
I also use this for my little girl
now this also says root powder but the seller which is Micro Ingredients says this is an extract powder with 1.5% withanolides and >15:1 extract ratio.
Another non-organic option by Bulk Supplements, that says extract on the bag is
Or an organic liquid extract option that is more concentrated and easier to mix in with food is
THYME
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has so many beneficial properties from anthelmintic, antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-fungal just to name a few. The volatile essential oil of Thyme and its active constituent Thymol have shown antileishmanial properties.
“Groups treated with thymol not only a decrease of the presence of L. infantum in the liver, but also noticeably less hepatocyte necrosis compared to other groups studied.”14Kowalczyk A, Przychodna M, Sopata S, Bodalska A, Fecka I. Thymol and Thyme Essential Oil-New Insights into Selected Therapeutic Applications. Molecules. 2020 Sep 9;25(18):4125. doi: 10.3390/molecules25184125. PMID: 32917001; PMCID: PMC7571078.Thymol and Thyme Essential Oil—New Insights into Selected Therapeutic Applications – PMC (nih.gov)
The essential oil up above is one of the brands that I use and trust. Not all essential oils are created equal and they could have additives you may not know about. This company Plant Therapy labels every bottle with a specific batch code which they send out to a third-party lab to be tested for purity which you can actually check yourself.
Another option that is praised by many for their purity standards and is exceptionally more costly is
Amazon.com: doTERRA – Thyme Essential Oil – 15 mL : Health & Household
If you are interested in using essential oils on your pet then I recommend checking out this book which talks about the different types of essential oils and the methods on how they are used and the different types of animals they are used on.
HOLY BASIL
Holy Basil or also known as Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is also considered an adaptogen which helps the body cope with stress and its overall well-being. In one study some of the active constituents of Tulsi showed strong
“leishmanicidal activity.”15Suzuki, A., Shirota, O., Mori, K., Sekita, S., Fuchino, H., Takano, A., & Kuroyanagi, M. (2009). Leishmanicidal active constituents from Nepalese medicinal plant Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.). Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin, 57(3), 245–251. https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.57.245
I personally use this product on my fur child
Another option is liquid extract form which is easier to administer
CONTRAYERBA
Contrayerba (Pentalinon andrieuxii) or “contrahierva” is a plant native to Mayan culture and it occurs in the root.16PENTALINON ANDRIEUXII (backyardnature.net) It has been studied and a novel sterol was isolated that showed that this plant
“led to significant parasite reduction in the liver and the spleen.”17Gupta, G., Peine, K. J., Abdelhamid, D., Snider, H., Shelton, A. B., Rao, L., Kotha, S. R., Huntsman, A. C., Varikuti, S., Oghumu, S., Naman, C. B., Pan, L., Parinandi, N. L., Papenfuss, T. L., Kinghorn, A. D., Bachelder, E. M., Ainslie, K. M., Fuchs, J. R., & Satoskar, A. R. (2015). A Novel Sterol Isolated from a Plant Used by Mayan Traditional Healers Is Effective in Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania donovani. ACS infectious diseases, 1(10), 497–506. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsinfecdis.5b00081 18Burgos-May, Y., Avilés-Berzunza, E., Peña-Rodríguez, L. M., & Godoy-Hernández, G. (2018). Genetic Transformation of Pentalinon andrieuxii Tissue Cultures. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 1815, 475–492. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8594-4_33
“The hexanes extract was highly effective to delay and eventually stop parasite survival.”19Lezama-Dávila, C. M., Isaac-Márquez, A. P., Zamora-Crescencio, P., Uc-Encalada, M., Justiniano-Apolinar, S. Y., del Angel-Robles, L., Satoskar, A., & Hernández-Rivero, L. (2007). Leishmanicidal activity of Pentalinon andrieuxii. Fitoterapia, 78(3), 255–257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2006.12.005
HOW TO PREVENT LEISHMANIASIS IN DOGS
Leishmaniasis in dogs is found all over the world especially in Europe, Asia and South America but there are reported cases of Leishmaniasis in the USA as well. They thrive in warm and sandy environments. Being prepared is your best defense against these guys.
is non-toxic to your pet and best of all it will kill sand flies.20Sand flies – Facts and Information – Pest Keen
Not only will it kill sand flies but it also kills cockroaches, bed bugs, fleas, ticks and spiders.21Applying Diatomaceous Earth for Fleas – Earthworks Health You can sprinkle this on the ground outside around your house.
Another option to control sand flies is using eucalyptus oils, lavendar oil or lemon grass oil like all-natural
I personally use this on my little girl and myself every couple days when we go outside.
Check out our other articles for more information on other herbs found in this article, such as;
ASTRAGALUS FOR DOGS HEALTH BENEFITS AND HELPFUL TIPS ON HOW TO GIVE IT
