Canine Leishmaniasis Bracco Italiano Club Statement
Statement by Bracco Italiano Club about Leishmaniasis in the Breed
The Club and the Society are extremely concerned at the recent reports of the
increase in Leishmaniasis in the breed. Some members of the club, including
the Chairman, already have first hand experience of this devastating disease
through dogs which were imported with this pre-existing condition. They have
done everything in their power to control its spread by treating and neutering
the affected dogs. However as we will discuss, this does not only apply to
imported dogs and while there is no need to panic, owners need to be aware
of certain factors affecting the breed.
Causes:
This condition is caused by a parasite that is most commonly spread by the bite
of a sand fly in Mediterranean climates. However, it is important to know that
there are other vectors for transmission. The parasite can be passed through
infected blood, during mating (venereal), or from a mother to her puppies
during pregnancy (vertical). This has huge implications for anyone wishing to
breed from their Bracco. Because the parasite can “hide” in a dog’s system for
a long time without showing symptoms, clear protocols are essential for
keeping the breed healthy.
If You Import a Bracco:
People may have unknowingly imported infected dogs originally hoping to
breed. However, knowing that there is a high possibility of Leishmaniasis
passing from an infected dog to the puppies, neutering is the only safe option.
If your dog has lived in or travelled through the Mediterranean countries, a
clear health certificate at the time of travel is only the first step. We
recommend you test your Bracco on import and again 6 months after arrival in
the UK. To be completely sure subsequent tests would need to be carried out
annually as the disease can lay dormant for 7 years. This covers the long
incubation period where the parasite might be present but not yet detectable.
If You Intend to Breed from Your Dogs Including UK Bred Braccos:
Potential breeders must be aware that UK bred dogs as well as imports can be
infectious because of the other vectors described above. Therefore, any
potential breeder with UK bred as well as imported dogs needs to test
regularly as above before breeding, so as not to infect the UK breeding pool.
The Club suggests that all potential breeders contact their own Vet to test their
dogs/bitches via the 2 most effective (though not the only) testing methods:
ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay), a commonly used quantitative
serological method for detecting antibodies against Leishmania infantum in
dogs, often used for diagnosis and monitoring. It effectively measures IgG
levels to aid in managing this potentially fatal, vector-borne disease, especially
when matched with clinical signs like lymphadenopathy or skin.
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic
method for canine leishmaniasis, used to detect Leishmania parasite DNA in
infected dogs. It is particularly useful for identifying asymptomatic carriers,
confirming infection in suspected cases, and detecting the parasite in tissues
like lymph nodes, bone marrow, or skin lesion.
Positive Dogs:
If a dog tests positive for Leishmania, they should be retired from breeding.
This prevents the risk of passing the infection to a mate or to an entire litter of
puppies. Any subsequent puppies could be infected and should not therefore
be used for breeding.
If a Parent is Positive:
If you own a puppy born to a parent that was Leishmania positive, do not
panic, but do act. The puppy should be tested early and monitored regularly
by a vet familiar with the disease. In terms of long-term care, some puppies
may carry the parasite but stay healthy for years. Knowing their status early
allows you to provide the right diet and medical support to keep their immune
system strong. With the appropriate care infected dogs can be helped to live a
normal life.
Further information on Leishmaniasis can be found at:
https://www.leishvet.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FS-LeishVetC.pdf
If you have any experience of Leishmaniasis in your Bracco Italiano, or you have had cause to test your Italian Pointer for Leish, even if the result was negative, could we ask that you complete our short survey on this matter here..
Thank you.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the breed health coordinator here; health@braccoitalianoclub.co.uk
