Changes

==Recognition==

==Recognition==

''Leishmania spp.'' are ovoid shaped parasites containing a rod shaped 'kinetoplast'. The kinetoplast is associated with a rudimentary flagellum that does not extened beyond the cell margin. The position of the kinetoplast changes as the parasite changes between life stages. Once ingested by a [[Biting Flies#Psychodidae|sand fly]] the parasite takes the promastigote form and the kinetoplast moves the the posterior of the cell.

''Leishmania spp.'' are ovoid shaped parasites containing a rod shaped 'kinetoplast'. The kinetoplast is associated with a rudimentary flagellum that does not extened beyond the cell margin. The position of the kinetoplast changes as the parasite changes between life stages. Once ingested by a [[Biting Flies#Psychodidae|sand fly]] the parasite takes the promastigote form and the kinetoplast moves the the posterior of the cell.

   

   

==Life Cycle==

==Life Cycle==

Infection with ''Leishmania'' can produce either cutaneous or viscreal disease as the infected macrophages proliferate in foci. There is a very long incubation period from infection to pathology, which can take years and therefore many infected dogs either never become symptomatic or remain so for a long period of time.

Infection with ''Leishmania'' can produce either cutaneous or viscreal disease as the infected macrophages proliferate in foci. There is a very long incubation period from infection to pathology, which can take years and therefore many infected dogs either never become symptomatic or remain so for a long period of time.

The cutaneous form of the disease produces areas of ulceration on the pinnae of the [[Ear - Anatomy & Physiology|ears]], eyelids or on the [[Lips - Anatomy & Physiology|lips]]. These ucerations can also be seen between the digits of the dogs paw. This is a parasitic infection of the [[Parasitic skin infections - Pathology#Protozoa|skin]].

The viscreal form causes a chronic wasting condition where generalised excema can be seen. Hair is lossed from around the eyes giving the animal a 'spectacled' appearance. These symptoms are accompanied by an intermitted fever and some generalized lymphadenopathy.

 

 

*Cutaneous form

**Produces areas of ulceration on pinnae of [[Ear - Anatomy & Physiology|ears]], eyelids or on the [[Lips - Anatomy & Physiology|lips]]

 

*Visceral form causes chronic wasting condition

***Loss of hair around eyes producing 'spectacle' effect

**Intermittent fever

**Generalised lymphadenopathy

*Long periods of remission followed by recurrence of clinical signs is not uncommon in infections

*Long periods of remission followed by recurrence of clinical signs is not uncommon in infections