Monitoring and Prognosis
Relapse of disease is frequently observed after the end of anti-Leishmania treatment. Clinical signs and/or clinicopathological abnormalities can be different from those manifested previously. Careful monitoring should include physical examination, CBC, biochemical profile, urinalysis with urinary protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) and quantitative serology at the frequencies indicated below (Table 3).
Available information on the progression of FeL cases is still limited compared to knowledge on the disease in dogs, but the life expectancy of cats with leishmaniosis seems to be good (years, even in untreated and FIV positive cats). However, concurrent conditions (malignant neoplasia or FIV/FeLV infections among others) or complications (particularly renal disease) occur and should be considered when estimating the patient’s prognosis.
Table 3. Monitoring of cats diagnosed with FeL
| ACTION | FREQUENCY |
| Physical examination Complete blood count Serum biochemical profile Urinalysis including UPC |
At least fortnightly during the first month of therapy and then at least every 3 months in the first year or after stopping therapy Thereafter every 6 months in cats clinically recovered |
| Quantitative serology | Every 3-6 months during the first year or after stopping therapy Every 6 months after the first year |