CANINE CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS: FIRST REPORT IN A GERMAN SHEPHERD POLICE DOG IN DIYALA GOVERNORATE- IRAQ

Abstract

A 5- year old male German shepherd police dog was presented to the clinic with good general condition and few circumscribed itchy skin lesions. Blood parameters were within normal range and the case was diagnosed as ringworm and antifungal treatment was prescribed. After few months the dog was brought again to the clinic, he has been subjected to complete body hair shaving and generalized small skin pustules was found scattered over the whole body. The case was diagnosed as atopic dermatitis; local and general corticosteroids and antihistamine were given to the animal. The condition get worse, the dog showed loss of condition and skin lesion continued with signs of dehydration, loss of appetite, emaciation, paleness of mucous membranes, There was no response to treatment with systemic and local antibiotics, multivitamin supplement, external and internal parasite treatment. At that time, blood examination revealed a decrease in hematocrit (Hct) and hemoglobin (Hb) values with a slight increase in total leukocyte count. Giemsa-stained impression smears prepared from various skin lesions revealed the presence of amastigotes of Leishmania spp.; free or inside macrophages; and the case was finally diagnosed as cutaneous canine leishmaiasis. As treatment for Leishmaniasis was not attempted, the animal condition gradually deteriorated and ended with its death