Sand flies - Page 1

Can anyone help me, what is the sickness that a dog can get from Sand flies in Europe, never heard of any before, and how bad is it

London Town

The disease is Leishmaniasis - I had two of my top dogs succumb to it - both had been in Italy.  The dog can get infected and it can lay dormant for the dogs entire life; can pop up at 5-7 years of age and kill the dog; or the dog can build up antibodies  to it and never get sick.  It can affect a dog similar to presentations of Ehrlicia.  But while Ehrlichia is curable, Leishmaniasis is not.  At best with the right treatments from Europe which are not dispensed here, you can extend the life of the dog for about 2 years.  CDC is the only place you can get the treatment in the United States and it is a risky treatment.  If the kidneys are involved, there is not chance of treat ment.  On of my dogs was renal with it and died 6 months later, the other was nuerlogical and with heroic efforts, IV's and meds, I saved him for another 2 years.  But he could never walk normally again.  Its a heartbreaking disease that is very common in Italy.  Verification of the disease can only be done through PCR tests. 

This is a good website to look at http://www.leishmaniasis.info/  - also I have an excellent article by a vet in Italy about it - it was absolutely on point on clinical signs, bloodwork and treatments.  The North Carolina State Veterinary college has the top notch Vector Bourn disease lab - they can do the testing.

Link to super article on diagnostic and treatment :
http://www.bearscampnewfs.com/health/Waltham%20Center/Canine%20Leishmaniasis.pdf

Link to North Carolina Vet School lab that tests and articles :

http://cvm.ncsu.edu/vth/ticklab.html

Wow, Kim! I just checked the link you provided. That is really scrary. It also says that the geographic incidence includes the South-East of the U.S.A.
Does anybody have more info on that? Occurences? I am worried now. We live in Southern Maryland, and i know that we have sand flies.
Chris

P.S. Edited to add that I just saw your second post on it. It lists Alabama, Ohio, Michigan as endemic areas and an occurence in Oklahoma!

I've lived on the beaches of MD/VA/NC my entire life and never had an animal come up with this or heard of any either.
Don't worry too much about it Chris.

But, having been to NC State several times with various critters all shapes and sizes, I HIGHLY reccommend them and their services. The staff is excellent and compassionate and you can't find better care.

Hi everyone,

thank you for so much information, and I will certainly look into it,

My heart goes out to the poor dog or dogs that contract this

London Town