How is visceral leishmaniasis diagnosed?
The list of symptoms associated with leishmania infections in dogs is long. The most frequently reported complaints from owners of sick dogs include skin lesions, progressive weight loss, decreased appetite and an intolerance of exercise. Other common indicators of visceral leishmaniasis include depression, ocular changes, epistaxis, excessive thirst and urine production, diarrhea, vomiting, sneezing, coughing, and lameness. This is however by no means an exhaustive list – leishmaniasis affects so many parts of the body that the variety of clinical signs is nearly boundless. It should be noted that Leishmania infection should only be suspected in areas where sand flies are present as they are the major vector of infection. Definitive diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis is typically done by laboratory tests. Most commonly, serologic methods such as IFAT, ELISA and western blotting are used to detect anti-Leishmania antibodies. If the infection is at an advanced stage, it may be possible
