Misuse could lead to national epidemic

The Malta Veterinary Association yesterday warned pet owners about a new vaccine for dogs against leishmaniosis, which is transmitted through sandfly bites, which will shortly be available on the market for all its members.

According to the MVA, misuse of the vaccine can be detrimental to a dog’s health and create a national epidemic because leishmaniosis is, in fact, a zoonotic disease.

Although the vaccine is now available from a limited number of veterinary practices, the MVA pointed out that it still has to be officially launched with the manufacturer’s guide lines.

The most important points the MVA said should be considered by its members vets are:

The vaccine reduces the risk of the disease fourfold

The dog to be vaccinated must be tested prior to vaccination with a reliable serologic test and

Other repellent products currently used to prevent infection must still be applied to the dog.

Anyone wishing to obtain further information about the vaccine can visit the manufacturer’s website, www.virbac.com, or that of the MVA, www.mva.org.mt, where a record of the proceedings at a recent symposium by Virbac gives details of the correct use of the vaccine.