2.3. Clinical Evaluation and Staging

Dogs were clinically evaluated for the presence or absence of CanL-compatible clinical signs and definition of clinical staging, as determined by the LeishVet Group guidelines [8]. Weight loss, appetite alterations, facies, mucosal staining, dermatopathies (ulcers, cutaneous vasculitis, onychogryphosis, desquamation, alopecia, crusts, hyperkeratosis, depigmentation of snout, nodule), lymphadenopathy, ophthalmopathy, presence or absence of fever, diarrhea, epistaxis and enlargement of the spleen by palpation were assessed. Based on clinical and laboratory parameters, dogs were categorized in clinical staging I (mild disease), II (moderate disease), III (severe disease) or IV (very severe to terminal disease).