Leishmaniosis, also called leishmaniasis, is a disease caused by a tiny single-celled parasite called Leishmania. The parasite lives inside the body’s own cells, and the illness tends to be long-lasting [1].
Dogs are seen as the main reservoir host [1]. A reservoir host is an animal that keeps the parasite going in an area. Sick cats are uncommon, even in places where the disease is common, although many cats there test positive for the parasite [1].
If your cat has open sores, lumps, bald or scaly patches, or crusts on the skin, see your vet.
How cats get it
The parasite is passed on by the bite of female sand flies [1]. A sand fly is a small biting fly. In a review of 63 published cases, most of the cats whose lifestyle was known went outdoors [1].
Where it occurs
The disease is found in many parts of the world. The species most often reported in cats and dogs is common around the Mediterranean, in Central and South America, notably Brazil, and in Iran [1]. Most of the cat cases in the review came from Mediterranean countries in Europe [1].
Skin signs
Skin problems were the most common finding in the case review, seen in about 7 in 10 cats [1]. The skin changes reported most often were [1]:
- open sores (ulcers);
- lumps in the skin (nodules);
- bald patches;
- scaling, where the skin sheds in flakes;
- crusts.
Itching was rare [1]. About 3 in 10 cats also had changes where the skin meets the moist lining of the body, most often a sore, inflamed mouth and gums, and sometimes sores on the nose [1].
For the same disease in dogs, see skin signs of leishmaniosis in dogs.
Signs beyond the skin
More than half of the cats in the review had signs affecting the whole body, such as swollen lymph nodes (small glands that help fight infection), poor appetite, weight loss, low energy or fever [1]. About a third had eye problems, most often inflammation inside the eye (uveitis), pink eye or lumps on the eyelids [1]. Many cats had more than one kind of sign at once [1].
Two thirds of the cats had another illness as well, most often feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) [1].
How vets diagnose it
A vet confirms the disease with lab tests. In the review, vets most often looked for the parasite in a sample of cells or tissue under the microscope, and blood tests for antibodies were also widely used [1]. The review authors say vets should consider leishmaniosis in a sick cat that lives in, or has travelled from, an area where the disease is common in dogs [1].
Treatment
Your vet will advise on treatment for your cat.
At home, as directed by a vet:
- do not give your cat human or leftover medicines unless your vet says so;
- do not stop or change any medicine without talking to your vet;
- give any treatment exactly as your vet prescribes, for as long as your vet says;
- go back for any recheck or test your vet books.
When to see your vet
See your vet if your cat has:
- open sores, lumps, bald or scaly patches, or crusts on the skin [1];
- a sore, red mouth or gums, or sores on the nose [1];
- swollen lymph nodes, weight loss or poor appetite [1];
- eye changes [1];
- any skin change you are unsure about, especially if your cat has lived in or travelled to an affected region.
The bottom line
Leishmaniosis is a parasite disease spread by sand flies. Sick cats are uncommon, but when they are affected the skin is the most common target, with sores, lumps, bald or scaly patches. Only a vet can find the cause with lab tests.
This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from your veterinarian. If your cat has sores, lumps or bald, flaking patches on the skin, see your vet.
Sources
- Garcia-Torres M, López MC, Tasker S, Lappin MR, Blasi-Brugué C, Roura X. Review and statistical analysis of clinical management of feline leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum. Parasites & Vectors. 2022;15:253. CC BY 4.0. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9272864/