Leishmania Infection (leishmaniasis) and Animals
My-Dog.info > Dog Diseases, Bites, Worms & Ticks
What is leishmaniasis (leash-ma-NIGH-uh-sis)?
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania spp.
This disease is rare in the United States, but is occasionally
found in dogs. Leishmaniasis can have different forms. The two
most common forms involve the skin or the internal organs. People
who get the skin form of leishmaniasis may have symptoms that
start several weeks or months after the germ enters the body. One
or more sores form on the skin and can change over time to look
like volcanoes, with a raised edge and central crater. These
sores may be painful or painless and may have scabs covering
them. Sometimes, people have swollen glands near the sores. If
this form of leishmaniasis is not treated, the sores can last for
years and cause permanent scars.
People who get the form that affects the internal organs have
symptoms that start even later, usually several months after
getting leishmaniasis. The spleen and liver, both organs in the
stomach area, may become swollen. Swollen glands and changes to
the blood are also symptoms of this form of leishmaniasis. This
form can be very serious if not treated and may lead to death.
Can animals transmit leishmaniasis to me?
Yes, but not directly. Leishmaniasis is transmitted by
infected sand flies in areas outside the United States. Sand
flies become infected when they bite animals, such as dogs, that
are sick with leishmaniasis. The infected flies then bite other
animals (including people) and pass leishmaniasis to them.
Because sand flies are smaller than other flies and do not make
any noise when they are flying, people may not know sand flies
are around them.
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