Leishmaniasis in Andalusia: how to protect your dog
What leishmaniasis is, why Andalusia is a risk area, the symptoms to look out for and the prevention options to discuss with your vet.
Leishmaniasis is one of the diseases that most worries dog owners in southern Spain, and it often comes as a surprise to people moving here from northern Europe. The good news: it can be largely prevented, and when it is caught early, treatment allows most dogs to live a good life.
What it is and how it spreads
It is caused by a microscopic parasite, Leishmania infantum. It does not pass from dog to dog through contact: it is spread by the bite of a tiny insect, the sand fly (flebotomo), which looks like a very small mosquito.
Sand flies are active mainly from May to October, and they bite at dusk and during the night. The climate of Andalusia, and especially of the Mediterranean coast, makes it an endemic area: the parasite is always present.
Symptoms
The disease can take months or years to show, and the signs vary a lot:
- Weight loss despite a good appetite, and tiredness.
- Skin problems: dandruff, hair loss around the eyes (“spectacles”), on the ears or the muzzle, and sores that won’t heal.
- Nails that grow too long.
- Nosebleeds.
- Lameness or joint pain.
- In advanced stages, kidney problems.
Many infected dogs show no signs for a long time. That is why an annual test matters: a simple blood test your vet can do, usually before the sand fly season starts.
Prevention: several layers
No single measure gives full protection. What works best is combining them and tailoring them to your dog with your vet’s help.
- Repellents. Collars and spot-on treatments that repel sand flies greatly reduce bites. Start them before the season and respect how long they last.
- Timing. From May to October, don’t let your dog sleep outdoors and cut down on dusk walks near damp areas, vegetable plots or thick vegetation.
- At home. Fine-mesh insect screens help; standard ones let sand flies through.
- Vaccine and immune-boosting treatments. There are vaccines and treatments that strengthen the dog’s response to the parasite. They add to repellents, not replace them. Your vet will tell you whether they suit your dog.
Careful if you also have cats. Some spot-on products for dogs contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats. Never use a dog product on a cat, and ask your vet if your pets live together.
If the test is positive
Leishmaniasis can be treated today. In most cases the parasite is not eliminated completely, but with medication and regular check-ups many dogs live for years with a good quality of life. Your vet will set the follow-up plan based on each dog’s condition, especially their kidney function.
Does it affect people?
People can also be infected by sand fly bites, but dogs don’t pass it on directly. Protecting your dog with repellents also reduces the parasite in the local environment.