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Undetected transmission pathway: How is canine leishmaniasis transmitted from mother dogs to puppies?
Canine leishmaniasis is an animal disease caused by Leishmania, usually transmitted through the bite of infected sandworms. The disease is a growing concern worldwide, particularly in North America and Europe, where rates of diagnosis are increasing among dogs in some regions.
The disease is mainly caused by sandworm bites and direct contact between dogs. Recent studies have shown that mother dogs can even transmit the disease to puppies through the placenta. This phenomenon is found in the L. infantum Mon1 strain in the United States. This is particularly evident in . Although a study conducted in Brazil on L. donovani showed no evidence of fetal transmission, this does not rule out the possibility that the mother may infect her puppies in some cases.
"The complexity of epidemiology requires further investigation of these potential routes of transmission, especially in cute puppies."
Symptoms of Leishmaniasis in Dogs
The manifestations of this disease can be divided into cutaneous and visceral types. Typical symptoms of the cutaneous type include hair loss, skin ulcers, etc., while the visceral type may manifest as kidney failure, weight loss, etc. This makes disease recognition particularly important, especially in the early stages of infection, when many dogs may ignore obvious symptoms.
“Early detection of leishmaniasis is critical because the incubation period for the disease may prolong the window for treatment.”
How it spreads among dogs
Previously, canine leishmaniasis was mainly transmitted indirectly by sandworms, but in fact there is also direct dog-to-dog transmission, such as through contact with blood and secretions. This means that even in environments with low sandworm activity, infected dogs can serve as a source of infection for other dogs.
For example, in the United States, transmission of L. infantum has been reported in some dogs in California and Texas. This has led veterinarians to pay more attention to the health of dogs, especially in regular testing of mother dogs and health monitoring of puppies.
How do female dogs spread the infection?
Studies have shown that mother dogs can pass Leishmania to their puppies across the placenta, and the cause of this transmission is still under investigation. Due to the properties of L. infantum Mon1, it is extremely efficient in spreading between dogs. Therefore, the health of the mother dog is crucial to the puppies.
"If we can gain a deeper understanding of the pathological relationship between mother dogs and their puppies, it will help to develop more efficient prevention and treatment measures."
Precautions
To prevent dogs from being infected with Leishmania, veterinarians recommend regular health checks and the use of sandworm repellent devices, such as collars containing ethyl esters. These measures can effectively reduce the risk of infection in dogs.
In addition, dogs introduced from diseased areas should be screened for quality, and owners should pay more attention to health issues, especially during dog breeding, and pay attention to checking the health of female dogs.
ConclusionCurrently, treatments for canine leishmaniasis are still under development. However, understanding its transmission mechanisms, particularly how mother dogs pass the disease to their puppies, can help owners and veterinarians take more effective preventive measures. The public should also pay attention to their dogs' health regularly to avoid delaying treatment. Are you ready to face this potential infectious disease?
