Therapy, Monitoring and Prognosis

• There are no published controlled studies of FeL therapy.
• In the absence of evidence indicating otherwise, empirical treatment giving the same drugs recommended for dogs is usually considered effective and apparently safe. Allopurinol (10 mg/kg q12 h or 20 mg/kg q24 h P.O., for at least 6 months) has been more frequently used than meglumine antimoniate (20-50 mg/kg q24 h S.C., for 30 day). These two drugs have also been given in combination.
• Cats under therapy with allopurinol or meglumine antimoniate should be carefully monitored for any adverse effects. Suspected acute kidney injury (meglumine antimoniate, allopurinol) and reversible skin reactions (allopurinol) were reported in few cases.

Disclaimer: Information given here on drugs and dosages are based on a consensus of clinical and scientific experience by the LeishVet members. These recommendations have been published in scientific peer-reviewed scientific journals. Veterinary practitioners are requested to check with product leaflets and product registrations in their related country prior to any product selection and initiation of treatment.

• Relapsing of clinical signs and/or clinicopathological abnormalities may occur; careful monitoring after the end of anti-Leishmania treatment should include physical examination, CBC, biochemical profile, urinalysis and quantitative serology at the frequencies indicated below (Table 10).
• The life expectancy of cats with leishmaniosis is usually good (years) unless concurrent conditions (malignant neoplasm, FIV/FeLV infections) or complications (renal disease) occur.

Table 10. Follow-up regimen

* UPC: urine protein:creatinine ratio.