Clinical signs presented by Leishmania positive dogs in the city of Vassouras-RJ

Abstract

Currently, the scope of areas affected by leishmaniasis has been growing significantly, being an important matter of public and animal health. This zoonotic disease caused by the Protozoan Leishmania spp., is transmitted primarily by the bite of sandflies, affecting various species of mammals, and the domestic dog the main maintainer of the agent in urban areas. The low specificity of clinical signs associated with high assintomatology in species, promote hard transmission control, diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Therefore, the objective of assessing the symptoms presented by six dogs positive for leishmaniasis, in the municipality of Vassouras. The investigation was conducted by the retrospective appointment of the information present in the charts of each animal, followed by descriptive statistical analysis. Relevant symptoms included anaemia, hepatomegaly, jaundice, linfonodomegalia, onychogryphosis, alopecia, crusted lesions, peeling, hyperkeratosis and seborrhea. The regions most affected were members, cushions, nose and ears. The comparison of symptoms in different cases assists in understanding the disease, in addition to add possible differential diagnosis, providing better quality of life for patients.