{"id":55333,"date":"2025-10-15T12:09:35","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T10:09:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/balmesvet.com\/?p=55333"},"modified":"2025-10-14T12:23:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T10:23:35","slug":"leishmaniasis-in-dogs-2025-essential-guide-for-caregivers-in-barcelona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/balmesvet.com\/en\/leishmaniasis-in-dogs-2025-essential-guide-for-caregivers-in-barcelona\/","title":{"rendered":"Leishmaniasis in dogs 2025: essential guide for caregivers in Barcelona"},"content":{"rendered":"

A common disease in Barcelona that can be controlled with prevention, early diagnosis and adequate treatment.<\/p>\n

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What is leishmaniasis in dogs and how does it affect their health?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Leishmaniasis is a <\/span>serious parasitic disease<\/b> that mainly affects dogs, although it can also be detected in cats and other mammals. It is caused by a parasite of the genus <\/span>Leishmania<\/span><\/i>, which is transmitted through the bite of a very small mosquito called a phlebotomine sandfly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once in the body, <\/span>Leishmania <\/i><\/b>can cause a wide range of health problems<\/b>, from skin damage to the involvement of vital organs such as the kidneys or liver. Therefore, although we currently have effective tools for its control, it is still a disease that should not be underestimated.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Leishmaniasis in Barcelona: current situation and key epidemiological data<\/b><\/h2>\n

Barcelona and its metropolitan area are considered endemic areas of canine leishmaniasis. <\/b>Climate change, urbanization of green areas and mosquito activity during more months of the year have led to an increase in cases, even in areas where they were previously sporadic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because of this, the Official College of Veterinarians of Barcelona (COVB) considers it necessary to be extremely vigilant and preventive in order to curb the increase in the number of cases. <\/span>The incidence of canine leishmaniasis in Catalonia is estimated at 31 new cases per 1,000 dogs per year, according to data from the association itself<\/b>. In addition, although dogs are the main host of the parasite, cats can also be infected. In their case, the prevalence is much more diverse and varies considerably between regions, ranging from 1.3% to 60% according to different international studies.<\/span><\/p>\n

A study by the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the University of Lleida found a seroprevalence of 11.9% in rural dogs in Catalonia. In urban areas, the Barcelona Supercomputing Center has detected<\/span> Leishmania infantum<\/i><\/b> in 33.3% of rats tested <\/b>in Barcelona, <\/span>suggesting the existence of non-canine urban hosts.<\/b><\/p>\n

Due to the variety of clinical signs and analytical alterations it can cause, <\/span>the COVB recommends always including leishmaniasis in any differential diagnosis in both dogs and cats<\/b>. Raising awareness of this endemic disease is especially relevant on dates such as June 1, World Leishmaniasis Day, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and annual controls to ensure a good quality of life for affected dogs and cats.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Transmission of leishmaniasis: the role of sandflies and risk seasons<\/b><\/h2>\n

The disease is not transmitted directly between cats and dogs, nor from them to humans. <\/b>The only culprit responsible for transmission is the phlebotomine sandfly. This insect becomes active at dusk and night, especially in the warmer months, although with milder winters, its presence has been extended to November or even December.<\/span><\/p>\n

The cycle is simple: <\/b>the mosquito bites an infected animal, ingests the Leishmania, and then bites another animal and transmits the parasite. A dog or cat sleeping outdoors can receive more than 100 sandfly bites in a single night.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Symptoms of leishmaniasis in dogs: cutaneous, ocular, and systemic signs<\/b><\/h2>\n

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\nOne of the biggest challenges of leishmaniasis is that its symptoms can be highly variable. Some dogs develop visible signs in a short time, while others may remain asymptomatic for months, even years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the most frequent symptoms are:<\/b><\/p>\n