Leishmaniasis in dogs

Thomas E. Quaka 104242.3312 at compuserve.com
Tue Jun 25 10:35:18 BRT 1996


I stumbled across this list while searching the Internet for information on
Leishmaniasis. I have a dog who was diagnosed one year ago with visceral
Leishmania. The dog came from Italy. The diagnosis was made after isolating
the organisms from a bone marrow aspirate as well as serology performed at
the CDC in Atlanta. At the time the dog was in renal failure. I was working
with a veterinarian from Michigan State University. We began treating the
dog with Allopurinol. After several months the Leishmania titer decreased
and no organisms could be found in the bone marrow. However, the titer has
gradually risen and we are now considering a combination therapy of
Allopurinol and an antimonial. I would appreciate it, if anyone could give
me some information on this disease or its treatment in dogs. From my
understanding, it is incurable in dogs, and if so, I question trying this
combination therapy. If you could offer me or my univerisity veterinarian
some literature or a contact that could give some advice or direction I
would greatly appreciate it. I know this is "just a dog," but he is a very
special member of my family and I will do whatever I can to either cure him
or help him live with this disease. Thank you very much.
Debra Quaka, DDS


More information about the Leish-l mailing list