APPROACH TO CANINE VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS (CVL) BY VETERINARY DOCTORS

Abstract

The canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is a zoonosis extremely important for public health, of worldwide relevance, with 90% of the cases registered in Brazil. It´s caused by the protozoan from the genus Leishmania and its main host is the domestic dog. For the successful transmission, it must have the presence of the vector, a hematophagous mosquito from genus Lutyzomia. The diagnostic from the disease is extremely difficult, seen that 60% to 80% of the seropositive animals are asymptomatic and the clinical manifestations are very nonspecific. After changes made by the Health Ministry, it actually is permitted to realize the treatment of the positive animals to CVL, in which the most accepted medicament is Miltefosine.  Yet, independent of the treatment, the best method against CVL is prevention. In the present job was produced a questionnaire through the platform Google Forms with 14 questions encompassing the Leishmaniasis. Were collected 65 answers veterinarians of different ages and states of Brazil.  80% of vets said to indicate the treatment of the animal in cases of leishmaniasis confirmed, while 3.08% still indicate euthanasia. Although not recommended, the use of amphotericin B and pentavalent antimonials is still seen in the treatment protocols, however, the majority (75.4%) opts for the use of Miltefosina, recommended. Vaccination, although accepted by most veterinarians (95.38%), is still a little-used practice due to the low product availability in clinics, just 47.69% have in the veterinary clinic. Among veterinarians, 95.4% indicate the use of 4% deltamethrin collars as prevention. A good performance by the veterinarian is of paramount importance for the control effect of VL.