Leishmania donovani/infantum Titer IFA testing was requested to assist in the clinical staging of a 6-year-old, neutered male, Spanish Galgo. The dog was rescued in Spain and imported to the United States by a rescue group.
Prior to importation, screening for Leishmania was negative. Several months after being adopted, the dog presented with a peripheral lymphadenopathy, ear margin dermatitis, and lethargy. The endpoint titer in this case was determined to be 1: 8,192 which is considered to be very high. Galgos, also known as Spanish Greyhounds, are frequently imported by Greyhound adoption/rescue groups into the United States. Although Galgos have a different lineage from Greyhounds, they may look very similar. Clinical signs of canine leishmaniasis may develop 3 months to 7 years after infection therefore veterinarians should get a complete history regarding the origin of any adopted Greyhound. Leishmania is found naturally on most continents of the world so a history of travel outside the US should trigger adding this disease to a list of rule outs. In the US, leishmaniasis has been documented repeatedly in foxhounds in hunting packs.
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