After 20 years of scientific research, a vaccine against canine leishmaniosis is now available in Europe.
When taken as a course, scientists say, the vaccine can provide safe, effective and long-lasting protection against the development of symptoms of leishmaniosis.
Canine leishmaniosis is transmitted by sandflies. Dogs may suffer fever, hair loss, weight loss, skin sores, nail problems, anaemia, arthritis, severe kidney failure and sometimes even death. In Europe 2.5 million dogs are infected.
Vaccinating dogs would mean that their immune system resistance to canine leishmaniosis is enhanced.
The full vaccine course involves three injections given at three-week intervals. Only one annual re-vaccination is needed to maintain dogs’ immune defence against sandfly.