Warning: Leishmaniosis endemic in 06 and 83

Animal health authorities have warned that dogs in our area are at risk from leishmaniosis, an often fatal disease spread by the mosquito-like sandfly (phlebotome in French). Unknown in northern Europe, the insect is especially numerous and active in warm weather and in the evening hours.

Dr Nigel Gittins writes: “The symptoms include wasting, muscle loss, eye ailments (corneal inflammation and conjunctivitis), fur loss, skin problems and others. The future is dim for such animals as although they can improve and be generally treated in the short term they often have relapses. There is no absolute cure, there exists no vaccination. The best treatment is prevention although many preparations – collars, spot-on pipettes – only eliminate fleas and ticks and don’t treat sandflies. Check on the box before purchasing or ask your vet for advice.”

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