Hi.
LEISHMANIASIS, is a big problem in Spain, they say stay away from rivers and the Delta but dogs are catching it in towns well away from rivers, the problem is the amount of stray dogs in Spain and Catalonia, many of whom carry the disease.
Never let your dog sleep out at night, there is no cure and no vaccination although there are treatments once caught, if mild they can live for many years.
SCALIBOR Collars are the only preventative, they stop the sandfly from biting but even then no guarantee.
For more information see www.leishmaniasis.info.
                                      Terry.
                            Sant Salvador Kennels.

Cats and humans are supposed to be safe.  Don't rely on the Scalibor collar.  We put one on our dog but she still caught Leishmania.  Luckly, we have her on a programme at our vet's which includes  testing for the disease, and it was picked up earlier this year whihc means that we were able to start treating straightaway.  She had to have two injections a day for the first month as well as two tablets.  Subsequent bood tests have shown that these have protected her organs and skin from being affected .  Unfortunately, she will have to stay on one tablet a day for the rest of her life, but these are not expensive, and even if they weren't it is a small price to pay for such a faithful friend

HUMANS ARE NOT SAFE. there is a human form, but apparently they respond well to treatment.
Cats are safe.
                                         Terry.

No, Scalibor collars are not cheap, but for all the protection that they gave my dog I might just as well have bought a cheap one.  And it wasn't the case (before it is suggested) that the collar was out of date.  She was having them replaced on a more regular basis than the maker's suggest.  Still, now that she has Leishmania a cheaper one will suffice, and the difference can go towards the cost of the pills she has to have.

thanks for the replies, it does not seem to bode well for dogs residing in Baix Ebre...we are now casting our net further in the hope of avoiding infected areas...Roger & Sharon.