Health advice

At SOS Italian Setters we take the welfare of not only our dogs, but all dogs very seriously.

As an organisation dedicated to the rescue of dogs from Italy we recognise that many of the medical conditions suffered by animals in the Mediterranean are either unknown or not fully understood in the UK. All our rescues receive a full health check with comprehensive laboratory blood tests.

Below we have provided information on two conditions which you will always see referenced on our adoption page. If having read the information you have any questions please feel free to contact us.

Leishmaniasis

Canine Leishmaniasis, or Leish for short, is a vector-borne disease caused by the Leishmania Infantum protozoan parasite and is transmitted by female Phlebotomine sand flies. It is endemic in Southern Europe, with an estimated 60% of dogs infected. Only about 5–10% of infected dogs, however, will ever develop symptoms or clinical Leishmaniasis.

Dogs from endemic countries can develop active disease many years after arriving in the UK. There is no specific trigger for this, but it is believed that physical or mental stress and a weakening of the immune system can be contributing factors.

Leish is an indirect zoonotic disease — it requires a vector (the sand fly) to spread from host to host. There is as yet no evidence that the sand fly is present in the UK, so a dog with Leishmaniasis cannot infect another dog that has not been exposed to the parasite.

If your dog tests negative on arrival, it is important to know the signs to look for: slowly developing lesions on the ears, nose and hind legs; excessive thirst; lethargy; lameness; nosebleeds; or fever. Please refer to the full list of symptoms at leishvet.org.

The earlier Leish is diagnosed and treated, the better the prognosis. Successfully treated, a dog can often live out their normal lifespan.

If your dog tests positive, it is important to find a vet who is willing to work with you and your dog, understand the medications available, and ensure the dog is tested regularly every six months. Tests should include haematology, biochemistry, electrophoresis and a Leish titre. Ask for a quote first — prices can vary enormously between practices.

For further information please visit leishvet.org and the Living with Leish group on Facebook.

Brucella Canis

All our dogs are tested for Brucella canis before they travel as part of their health check, using a specialist laboratory blood test.

Brucella canis (B. canis) is a bacterial infection which can be transmitted between dogs, and in rare cases from dogs to humans. The risk to most people is very low.

SOS Italian Setters is proactively working to raise awareness of B. canis and help prevent its spread across Europe. For further information and support please visit the B. canis support group on Facebook.