Transmission
Traditionally, canine transmission is directly from sandfly to dog. Cases in the United States have proven L. infantum transmission from dog to dog by direct contamination with blood and secretions, as well as transplacentally from an infected bitch to her pups. This mode of transmission seems to be unique to the L. infantum Mon1 strain found in the United States. A Brazilian study of 63 puppies from 18 L. donovani-infected parents found no evidence of congential or transplacental infection.
See also Leishmania#Uptake_and_survival
Read more about this topic: Canine Leishmaniasis