Cats are rarely clinically affected. The primary clinical findings are cutanious involvement although dermatologic abnormalities in the absence of other signs of disease are rare. Weight loss and muscle atrophy are the most common signs of visceral involvement. Serology is often used to verify the presence of antibody but does not prove or disprove active disease. Since dogs rarely spontaneously eliminate the parasite, a positive titer should indicate current infection.
Canine leishmaniasis is resistant to therapy.
Most clinicians feel that the dog never will eliminate the infection and that retreatment will be necessary. The drugs of choice arepentavalent antimonials.