LeishVet guidelines for the practical management of canine leishmaniosis

Parasites & Vectors

Table 6 Treatment of canine leishmaniosis - recommended monitoring of clinicopathological parameters and serology including frequency of follow up [27].

Parameters	Frequency
Clinical history and complete physical examination Routine laboratory tests: Complete CBC, biochemical profile, serum electrophoresis (optional) and complete urinalysis including UPC in proteinuric dogs.	After the first month of treatment and then every 3-4 months during the first year. Later on, if the dog is fully recovered clinically with treatment, a recheck would be recommended every 6 months or once a year.
Serology*	Not before 6 months after initial treatment and every 6 months or once a year thereafter.
Real time PCR	Can optionally be carried out at the same time as serology. The full usefulness of this assay for follow up during treatment is currently undetermined.

*Some dogs present a significant decrease in antibody levels (more than a two-fold dilutions difference between the first and the following samples) associated with clinical improvement within 6 months to 1 year of treatment. Other dogs might not have a decrease in antibody levels despite clinical improvement. In contrast, a marked increase of antibody levels (more than two-fold elevation between monitoring samples) should be interpreted as a marker of relapse, especially in dogs following the discontinuation of treatment [27].

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