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Vets confirm dog-to-dog transmission of leishmaniosis
Bone marrow cytology showing macrophages with numerous intracellular organisms consistent with Leishmania species amastigotes.

Dog with no travel history thought to have contacted disease from imported dog 

Vets say they have diagnosed the first case of dog-to-dog transmission of leishmaniosis in a UK dog with no history of foreign travel.

The team are warning owners and vets to be extra vigilant for possible cases of the disease, even in dogs without a direct travel history.

According to a paper published in Vet Record, a three-year-old shih tzu was diagnosed with leishmaniosis after presenting with a three-week history of weight loss, seborrhoea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

While the dog had not travelled abroad, received a blood transfusion or been used for breeding, it had lived with another dog that was imported from Spain and euthanised six months previously due to severe leishmaniosis. Researchers said this most likely represents a case of dog-to-dog transmission.

Myles McKenna, of the Royal Veterinary College, said: “It is important to take note of this first reported case of likely dog-to-dog transmission of Leishmania infantum in the UK. Historically we had considered this to be a condition affecting dogs with a travel history to areas where Leishmania infantum is endemic.

“Dog-to-dog transmission in non-endemic areas has previously been reported, for example in the USA, but this case serves as a reminder to UK veterinary surgeons that we must be vigilant for conditions such as Leishmania in non-travelled dogs and that alternative transmission mechanisms do exist.”

The news comes just a week after vets reported a separate case of leishmaniosis in a dog with no history of overseas travel. In this case, it is thought the owners may have inadvertently brought infected sand flies back in their luggage following a trip to Spain.

Reporting the case in Vet Record letters, ESCCAP’s Ian Wright and Samantha Baker of Vets4Pets said: ‘It serves as a reminder that we should not be complacent about the risk of Leishmania infantum establishing in the UK, even in the current absence of the sand fly vector.’

Image © Charalampos Attipa

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Survey launched to investigate EHV

News Story 1
 Zoetis has launched a new survey to identify management techniques for Equine Herpes Virus (EHV).

EHV is a contagious, airborne virus that can cause respiratory problems and severe diseases in horses and ponies. It spreads among horses over short distances, direct contact and through shared equipment.

The survey will explore current knowledge and management practices with EHV in the UK. It is quick to complete and participants could win one of 10 equine first aid kits.

Complete the survey here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
WSAVA launches pet travel guidance factsheet

A new pet travel guidance factsheet for veterinary professionals and caregivers has been developed by the WSAVA in collaboration with the World Veterinary Association.

The Dog and Cat Welfare During Transport factsheet provides step-by-step guidance for all stages of a journey, from pre-travel checklists to post-travel care.

Brachycephalic breeds or animals prone to travel-related anxiety are given special focus in this guide, which also provides links to IATA container regulation and WSAVA vaccination guidelines.