Leishmania

[yrtr]

Are you aware of the dangers? Would you put your dog down to prevent it from spreading to humans and other dogs?

Pls read this article to see facts on how it is spreading:

http://www.ajtmh.org/content/82/3/441.full

[Keithcaley]

Thanks for posting that Yen.

I think that a lot of people who have lived here for a while are well aware of the problem, but there are bound to be plenty of new residents and new dog owners who do need to be brought 'up to speed' on this...

You've done your 'Public Service Announcement' for the day - now go and open the shop before people start knocking the door down and getting irate!

p.s. the telly's great!

[andrew4232]

yes we all know the dangers of this its been around for years !!

[Mel7348]

Disclaimer: The contents of this publication are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission.

According to my dogs vet , transmission is via a bit from an infected sand fly.

We gave a home to what was then a 3wk old puppy abandoned in a field roughly 4 yrs ago. 2 years later he became ill and was diagnosed Leishmaniosis. Having used the services of our animals vet for over 10 yrs, trust her implicitely.

On diagnosis she informed us of all the implications involved, ie possible need for medication for life. In her words ' the ongoing costs involved'. The chances of our animal infecting humans was negligable, a vet will explain this better than I.

Our dog has been taking 900mg Allopurinol daily, large dose large dog (48.9Kg) together with a months course of serum (1000 TL ) and is now in remission. There is no cure per se but remission can last a lifetime. If remission continues uninterupted for the next 6 months, the Serum will have been effective and medication terminated.

On diagnosis DESTROYING him was not an option we considered. As things are today we have a loving healthy dog.

We have taken another dog into our family, before doing so consulted the vet. No problem was her professional opinion.

Academic papers are just that and are written for the benefit of academia.

[andrew4232]

ohhhhhh 900mg per day is far toooo much it will cause liver failure a local dog to me died for that reason, humans only take 100mg for gout beware !!!

[sophie]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but your dog may be in remission, but isn't it still a carrier of the disease? I don't know many people who would be able to pay out 1000tl a month on medication. I'm sure there are those who wish they were in the same position and that's for medication for themselves.

[Keithcaley]

I may be wrong, so if I'm talking B@llocks, please point me at the correct information: -

I have been led to understand that with currently available canine treatments for this disease, the dog remains infected.

It is thus a 'reservoir' for infection, so if the dog is bitten by a sandfly - fairly common occurence - the sandfly becomes a carrier, and can then pass it on to other animals and humans, which is the normal vector for transmission of the disease.

That is the dilema.

Mel, I wish you and your dog well.

Keith Caley.

p.s. I meant what I said, if anyone has any different information, please tell me.

[Mel7348]

Andrew, are you a pharmacologist, I,m not. According to the Package Leaflet: information for the user - 700-900mg daily for severe gout. Allopurinol is an enzyme inhibitor, also used to treat some types of cancer, kidney stones amonst other conditions.

For our dog Allopurinol has cleared what was quite severe liver involvement albeit taking 12 months to do so.

Keith, You talk b@llucks - Never- you are quite right.

Perhaps we should be mindful of the ' resovoirs of infection out there on the streets '

A good friend of mine (before we had the dog) went camping on the Karpaz and was bitten several times by 'infected' sandflies'. As a consequence was hospitalised for 2 weeks and took many weeks to regain strength. In humans there are no recorded deaths from 'Sandfly Fever', in animals if left untreated, certain death.

[Mel7348]

Sophie - the Allopurinol costs 6.54TL a month. Not a fortune, price of a drink in a bar maybe. The 1000TL was a one off.

Like many others here we are dependant on our monthly pensions and a little put by for future healthcare needs, coffin dodging as Keithcaley's friend amusingly puts it.

[andrew4232]

Andrew, are you a pharmacologist, I,m not. According to the Package Leaflet: information for the user - 700-900mg daily for severe gout. Allopurinol is an enzyme inhibitor, also used to treat some types of cancer, kidney stones amonst other conditions.

For our dog Allopurinol has cleared what was quite severe liver involvement albeit taking 12 months to do so.

Keith, You talk b@llucks - Never- you are quite right.

Perhaps we should be mindful of the ' resovoirs of infection out there on the streets '

A good friend of mine (before we had the dog) went camping on the Karpaz and was bitten several times by 'infected' sandflies'. As a consequence was hospitalised for 2 weeks and took many weeks to regain strength. In humans there are no recorded deaths from 'Sandfly Fever', in animals if left untreated, certain death.

no am not a pharmacologist but i think my doctor has an idea on what she thinks are safe amounts to take, she says anything over 100mg per day is risky and that you should have regular checks for the liver, as for the dog it was the dog that was next door to me that died having been on 600mg a day of liver failure the vet had no idea about limits of this drug i really am just passing on what i have been told and seen

[Mel7348]

Andrew - Im not disputing your information. Our dog has had 6wkly blood checks since starting Allopurinol which is how the vet has been measuring the slow liver function improvement and now the continuing full liver function. We are lucky we get a regular and ongoing doggy patient discount, plus the fact we live close to the surgery so she pops in to take the bloods. Think she has a soft spot for Zeus.

[Jonnie]

I am a sandfly magnet and get bitten to hell and back but never had the fever thank god. This year I have only seen one and I think have yet to be bitten, certainly in our area they are less than previous years. We have had loads more ants and roaches though!

Out of interest and as it it part of the thread my dog had a paraband collar and I treat him with Advantix.

[sophie]

Jonnie, I got a bit of a shock a few months bag, when it was explained to me that the Paraband collar that I have been buying for 3 years now, covered the dogs against tics and fleas for 3 months but only for 1 month against sand-flies. I also agree with you, we have had far fewer sand-flies and mozzies this year than ever before. In fact I can't remember the last time I saw a mozzie in the house. Yes, the b=====y ants are a pain in the butt, so are the locusts which we've had for the very first time. (Sorry I know I've gone off topic, Mods can delete if they think necessary!!)

[artistabroad]

Paraband collars are exactly the same as Scalibor collars sold in the UK and most of Europe. According to the Scalibor data sheet it is effective against ticks and sandflies for six months. A 48cm collar contains .76g deltamethrin. Checking the Turkish websites for Paraband a 48cm collar weighs 19g and is 4% deltamethrin which equals .76g. The Turkish website says it is effective against ticks for 6 months and fleas for 4 and is used in the control of leishmania. Incidentally I also came across details online of a controlled test had been carried out and it was found the collars stopped 96% of sandfly bites, so well worth using, but it's not necessary to change it every month! There is now also a vaccine that can be given to unaffected dogs to protect them, the name given was Leishmune - don't think you can get it here though.

[sophie]

Clearly there are some Vets here who are on to a good thing!! One thing a did notice though in 3 Vets clinics that I went to, was that the use by date was only two months away and the collars when opened (I insisted that the Vet did so) were already starting to crumble away. I thought the Vets were very long suffering, but under the circumstances it was the least they could do. I left without buying each time.

[yrtr]

Is it possible the vets in N. Cyprus are cashing in on peoples feelings and emotional attachments toward their dogs by manipulating people to take the expensive treatment even though their dogs are carriers and a possible threat to their lives?

I have seen an infected person in N. Cyprus and after 5 years they are still trying to cope with the disease. This person who got infected had a neighbour with a dog under treatment. Cases in the area have increased over the years.

Here is what the disease looks like:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q= ... 0QWIuIH4AQ

[sophie]

yrtr, I'm sure you are correct. It's a disgusting disease and I'm afraid that I cannot agree at all with people who allow their dogs to be carriers. There is one Vet who I know does their best but cannot force the owner to have their pet put down, but personally they believe it is what should happen. However, if an owner refuses then there is nothing they can do. At home we have had serious discussions and have made the sad decision that if one of our dogs becomes infected, for their sake and everyone elses he or she would have to go. Anything else is irresponsible in my view. There are Vets here who are woefully ignorant on the subject and about 2 years ago I printed off 20+ pages on the subject from across the world, because she knew so little on the subject and it hadn't been part of her training, although she'd been trained in a country where it is rife. I know there are people on this board who think I am completely wrong and that is of course their right to do so.

[Rambling Rose]

I was told by a local Vet that the paraband collars do not work here because temperatures are so high (particularly at times when sand flies are prevalent) the chemicals deteriorate in the heat!!!! Presumably this applies to in storage as well as on the animal.

Another website has been promoting the new vaccine - but personally I would like to know a lot more about accreditation and side effects before spending a lot of money on what might be another expensive gimmick.

I tried a websearch to see if I could find anything about a new vaccine without success - but I am not good at websites or anything IT for that matter. Has anyone else any futher info??

[yrtr]

Here is some info I found on a newly found drug that claims it can cure it NEAR 100% for humans when used with other drugs! Not sure about dogs Im afraid.

New research in the Netherlands on a cancer drug called Miltefosine has shown promising results in treating Leishmaniasis. Miltefosine is the first effective oral treatment for leishmaniasis and is currently undergoing human trials. On its own it has an 88.2% success rate in curing Leishmania but when paired with antimonials the success rate jumps to near 100%.
Common adverse effects of the miltefosine treatment are nausea, abdominal discomfort and temporary diminution of ejaculate volume, but few patients discontinue treatment as a result of these adverse effects. Miltefosine is embryotoxic and teratogenic, prohibiting use during pregnancy and, because of its long residence time, requires effective contraception up to at least 5 months after treatment.

[yrtr]

Some more info:

Prevention and vaccines

In areas where the known vector is a sandfly, deltamethrin collars worn by the dogs has been proven to be 86% effective. The sandfly is most active at dusk and dawn; keeping dogs indoors during those peak times will help minimize exposure.
Unfortunately, there is no one answer for leishmaniasis prevention, nor will one vaccine cover multiple species. "Different virulence factors have been identified for distinct Leishmania species, and there are profound differences in the immune mechanisms that mediate susceptibility/resistance to infection and in the pathology associated with disease."
In 2003, Fort Dodge Wyeth released the Leshmune vaccine in Brazil for L. donovani (also referred to as kala-azar in Brazil). Studies indicated up to 87% protection. Most common side effects from the vaccine have been noted as anorexia and local swelling. The president of the Brazil Regional Council of Veterinary Medicine, Marcia Villa, warned since vaccinated dogs develop antibodies, they can be difficult to distinguish from asymptomatic, infected dogs. Studies also indicate the Leshmune vaccine may be reliable in treating L. chagasi, and a possible treatment for dogs already infected with L. donovani.

Treatment of canine leishmaniasis

Currently, no cure exists for canine leishmaniasis, but various treatment options are available in different countries. Treatment is best coordinated with veterinary research hospitals. Treatment does vary by geographic area, strain of infection and exhibited symptoms. Dogs can be asymptomatic for years. Most common treatments include: L. infantum
Pentavalent antimonials
Meglumine antimoniate
Amphotericin B
L. donovani
Antimonial resistant
Polyene antibiotic amphotericin B
Given the recent appearance of L. infantum in the United States and the absence of a known vector, the CDC recommends euthanasia of infected dogs due to their concerns of spreading the disease and its zoonotic nature.

[sophie]

yrtr, thank you so much for that information. I've been trying to inform and educate people, both Brits and TC's on this subject for a number of years now, but mostly in vain I'm afraid. I know people who refuse to have their animals tested because they do not want to know the result despite the fact that its endemic all around the southern Med coastline, includingTurkey and North Africa. Even Florence Nightingale had a view on the subject because transmission of the disease amongst the soldiers was high.

[Rambling Rose]

Sophie: Since it seems you have done a lot of research on this subject, can you advise me, because I have become totally confused and am particulaly concerned I am getting conflicting advice from Vets. For instance the advice that paraband collars do not work in the heat, and I was also told (apparently incorrectly) that they dont protect against ticks and fleas so I have already spent a lot of money unnecessarily.

AS a pensioner, with three small rescue dogs to keep in the manner they would like to be accustomed, I cannot afford expensive gimmicks that dont work. The dogs live indoors but have the run of the garden and are usuallly out at dusk 'helpıng' me ın the garden. They are aged 16, 9 and 1 year old. Currently , inşallah, all healthy. What is the best way of protecting them and does it have to be all the year round, or just in the months when sandflies are prevalent and what are they?

[yrtr]

Sand Fly

Lutzomyia is a genus of "sand flies" in the Psychodidae subfamily Phlebotominae and in the order Diptera. In the New World, Lutzomyia sand flies are responsible for the transmission of leishmaniasis, an important parasitic disease and Carrion's disease. Leishmaniasis is generally transmitted in the Old World by sand flies of the genus Phlebotomus. The parasite itself is a species of the genus Leishmania, a protozoan. The disease normally finds a mammalian reservoir in small animals such as rodents and canids. They can also be common inhabitants of caves, where they feed on bats. The sand fly carries the Leishmania protozoa from infected animals after feeding, thus transmitting the disease.
Only females suck blood, and they produce some hundreds of eggs, which are deposited in dark, humid places, such as under stones and rotten leaves. After two to three months, they develop through three larval instars and pupate, then become adults, They usually move by short flights, and only bite parts of the body not covered by clothes.
The genus is known from the extinct Burdigalian (20-15 mya) species Lutzomyia adiketis found as a fossil in Dominican amber on the island of Hispaniola.In the various sorts of sandfly only the female is responsible for biting and sucking the blood of mammals, reptiles and birds. She requires the protein in the blood to make her eggs.

Some pictures
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Lutzom ... 66&bih=667

Prevention
http://www.outbackcrossing.com.au/Infor ... tion.shtml

Counter-top repellents with high concentration of DEET or Picaridin are proven to work, but may not be suitable to some people, e.g. people with sensitive skin and pregnant women. Some alternative substances anecdotally reported to be of use are:
Orange Peel
Any citrus juice
Eucalyptus oil
Coconut oil
Avocado oil mixed with Dettol
Baby oil mixed with Dettol
Chinese herbal oil
Essential lavender oil

This list contains mostly substances with unproven effectiveness, ranging from quite effective to ineffective.
A particular extract of Lemon Eucalyptus oil (not the essential oil) has now been shown to be as effective as DEET in various studies.
Most information on repellents focuses on mosquitos, but mosquito repellents are effective for sandflies and midges as well.

What is the best way of protecting them and does it have to be all the year round, or just in the months when sandflies are prevalent and what are they?

Deltamethrin collars worn by the dogs has been proven to be 86% effective.
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script= ... 1000600018

[lizzybal]

What a fantastic informative thread , many thanks .

[artistabroad]

The link in post 22 to an article on a Brazilian study should reassure those as to the effectiveness of the collars -indeed I read the efficiency as being well above 86%. As the various studies have been carried out in hot countries eg Iran and Brazil both countries surely as hot as Cyprus the collars must work in our climate.

[thornaby]

Hi YRTR

Do you know the name of the lemon and eucaliptus oil. thanks

[thornaby]

Hi YRTR

Do you know the name of the lemon and eucaliptus oil. thanks

[yrtr]

Hi thornaby

Do you know the name of the lemon and eucaliptus oil. thanks

Maybe this is what you are looking for?
http://www.amazon.com/Repel-HG-406T-Euc ... B001DRJE1K
http://www.ehow.com/how_2164036_use-lem ... il-as.html