Hi I have a boxer, she is 3 years old, I understand about leish with having a home in Spain, she comes with us from June to September every year, she wears her scalibor collar and comes in of an evening, we have 5 rescue dogs that live there are none of them have any health issues including leish, (7 years) we are surrounded by orange and lemon groves and never encounter mosquito issues, we came Home from Spain in September and my dog developed a rash with some raised nodules, she had swollen lymph glands, we took her the vets and the vet checked for 3 things, cancer, leishmania as we had come back from Spain and a skin virus, they did biopsies on the skin did extensive blood test, everything came back clear below is the pathologist report HISTOPATHOLOGY *Pathologist Report DIAGNOSIS Both sites; nodular granulomatous dermatitis. HISTOLOGY Multiple skin masses from Bella. Two sections from the submitted samples are examined. The sections show similar features. These are raised dermal nodules formed by mixed populations of histiocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells and some eosinophils. COMMENT These are raised inflammatory lesions. It would important to rule out leishmaniasis with serological analysis or PCR. I see occasional structures that could be Leishmania parasites but since they are not very abundant it is difficult to tell them apart from cell debris within macrophages. In October we went and had the PCR test done especially for leishmania. the test took about 10 days and came back clear After this test the vet prescribed prednisalone, she responded very well 1 tablet for 4 days then half a tablet per day after a month her skin completely cleared except for a couple of lumps in her ears , the treatment was stopped around 1 December, around the 20 December the skin rash started to appear again, I took her back the vets and she was referred to a dermatologist, whilst waiting for the results her spots went worse so my vet issued antibiotics and 2 Piriton s day, this is Now day 2 and her chest is not as red and has responded well, at the dermatologist they did extensive test including bloods and biopsies and I got a call yesterday late on saying she had leishmania, I asked what results are you going on to confirm this, they have been unable to tell me so far and just keep saying all the test are not back yet, Im just confused in October PCR test was clear and now without seeing medical evidence they are saying she has leish, they have said she needs MILTERFORAN and ALLOPURINOL , Im familiar with this as we work close with s rescue centre in Spain, they see leish all the time and currently have 5 dogs in Kenneths with it, the vet also said after the course no more treatment is required? they cant get MILTERFORAN and were going to apply for an import licence, I told them I can get this as I have a contact in Spain As they havent got it they want me to start ALLOPURINOL immediately ( without the full results or levels ) if she has got leishmania, Im not convinced as I have not seen full results and PCR test was negative in October, Ill post pictures of my Bella from yesterday, today the Piriton has worked and is not as red and angry Anyone shed any light or advice what I should ask the vet , thanks in advance
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 15:33:03 +0000