Mary Allen
Sunglasses, sunscreen, heartworm, and canine malaria prophylaxis.
A holiday with a dog in the south needs to be well planned. In addition to the typical items of clothing and necessary accessories, a suitable first-aid kit is also important.
What is important for humans also applies to our four-legged friends when they accompany us on vacation. Especially when it comes to the sunny south. As a dog owner, you have a few things to think about.
As pleasant and beautiful as the sunny regions are, they can be dangerous for our dogs.
For some countries, a health check is advisable and vaccinations are recommended, which are sometimes even a condition for entry.
Not every dog can tolerate the heat of the Mediterranean Sea
When we start to feel comfortable in the sun and enjoy the Mediterranean flair, the temperatures in the southern neighboring countries can be harmful to dogs’ health.
You know your dog best, so before you go on holiday you need to assess how well they can handle warm temperatures.
Dogs that do not have an undercoat usually react very negatively to hot temperatures. Their fur does not insulate as well as that with an undercoat. In the south, dogs must always have fresh water available.
Sunburn in dogs
Dogs can get sunburned too. Particularly exposed areas such as pricked ears or the pink noses of some dog breeds are at risk here.
Dogs need to be able to retreat to the cooler shade whenever they want to. If this possibility does not exist, there is a risk of problems with the cardiovascular system.
Of course, it should also be mentioned at this point that dogs should never be left in the car at higher temperatures. Too many animals have already paid for this with their lives.
The Mediterranean disease is transmitted by ticks
In addition to the heat, there is also a threat of diseases in the south that do not occur in central and northern Europe. One of these diseases is Ehrlichiosis, also known as Mediterranean disease.
Ehrlichiosis = Mediterranean
disease Transmitted by brown dog ticks
It is a bacterial infectious disease that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas. It can be observed particularly frequently in the Mediterranean region, as the name suggests.
The disease is transmitted by the brown dog tick, which prefers warm climates all year round. The pathogens that get into the dog’s body through the tick attack the blood cells.
Symptoms of Ehrlichiosis
After almost three weeks, a wide variety of symptoms can be seen. These include fever, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and occasionally muscle twitching. Normally, the acute state lasts up to four weeks.
In some cases, the disease can exist for years without symptoms. At some point, however, bleeding, edema, enlargement of the spleen, emaciation, and joint diseases occur.
Suitable tick prophylaxis is therefore important when traveling in the south.
Canine malaria
Like Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, or canine malaria, is also transmitted by ticks.
Babesiosis = Canine Malaria
It is transmitted by ticks
The disease is caused by blood parasites that destroy red blood cells. It occurs suddenly but usually becomes chronic.
Symptoms are not necessarily observed in every dog. If there are symptoms, then about seven to 21 days after infection. The dog gets a fever, has no appetite, and quickly loses weight.
Progressive anemia is noticeable. Sometimes there is very dark-colored urine and skin bleeding. Inflammation around the eyes can lead to retinal detachment.
Medication can be given before travel to prevent infection. Unfortunately, this is not 100 percent effective and has significant side effects.
Here, too, appropriate insect-repellent collars or spot-on preparations are strongly recommended. To be on the safe side, check your dog for ticks after every walk and remove them immediately.
Remedies against sand flies in dogs
The sand fly is particularly insidious and dangerous in southern regions. It transmits leishmaniasis, which can also affect humans.
Leishmaniasis = Mediterranean
disease It is transmitted by sandflies
Leishmania, the causative agents of this disease, are blood parasites that are transmitted by the bite of sandflies and butterfly flies. They nest in tissue cells and often remain inconspicuous there for months or even years.
Leishmaniasis can also be transmitted via skin injuries or blood transfusions. This means that infected dogs can also become carriers.
What is canine leishmaniasis?
Initially, leishmaniasis manifests itself in the form of symptoms that occur in episodes. These include fever, fatigue, diarrhea, and weight loss. In the further course, a pain-sensitive stomach, hair loss, and swollen lymph nodes are added.
An itchy and scaly rash on the bridge of the nose, on the tips of the ears, and around the eyes of the animal is particularly noticeable. Sometimes there are other symptoms such as nosebleeds, bloody stool, and excessive nail growth.
The affected dogs often lose weight down to the skeleton and die within a year if left untreated. To date, the disease cannot be cured.
Dangerous diseases lurk in the south
To prevent this serious disease, your southern dog should wear a special parasite collar.
But be careful, the collar must be effective against sandflies.
The collars that are common in Central Europe are unsuitable for this. Optimal collars are available from your veterinarian, pharmacies, or online retailers.
Spot-on preparations are just as effective, which of course must also be suitable for southern regions.
Despite all preventive measures, you should avoid the early morning and evening hours on the beach. This is when mosquitoes are most active.
Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes
In addition to diseases, mosquitoes in the south can also transmit parasites such as heartworm.
Heartworms
are transmitted by mosquitoes
The larvae, which get into the dog’s body through a mosquito bite, migrate to the organs in the body, primarily to the heart. There they develop into adult worms. This process takes several months.
The dogs begin to cough and lose weight significantly. Occasionally signs of heart disease may occur. Heartworms can lead to dog death.
Heartworm prophylaxis in dogs
Medication can be given to the dog to prevent the disease from this type of worm. You must give the medication before the start of the trip and for another month after that.
It is therefore important that you visit your veterinarian in good time and discuss the best possible care for your animal with him.
Traveling south with dogs isn’t impossible, but allows some extra time for health care. The article about traveling by air with your dog will interest you if you want to fly south.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Mediterranean disease affect dogs?
The symptoms of leishmaniasis: The symptoms in dogs are very variable. Enlarged spleen, lymph node swelling, weight loss, general weakness, diarrhea, and vomiting, increased nail growth, and hair loss accompanied by eczema can be observed.
How is leishmaniasis transmitted from dog to dog?
Direct infection with leishmaniasis
There is also no risk of infection from a dog bite. Since the pathogen affects the white blood cells, the only conceivable direct route of transmission would be a blood transfusion from an infected to a healthy dog.
When does leishmaniasis break out in dogs?
The incubation period, i.e. the period between infection and the onset of the disease, is between 3 months and several years for leishmaniasis. The first symptoms of leishmaniasis are usually uncharacteristic with exhaustion, flare-ups of fever, diarrhea, and weight loss, which usually occur in phases.
Should I vaccinate my dog against leishmaniasis?
Because: You can only have a dog vaccinated against leishmaniasis if it does not already carry the causative agent of the disease. This can only be found out by doing a blood test. Only when the result of such a test is available can your dog be vaccinated.
How can I protect my dog from leishmaniasis?
prevent leishmaniasis. You can protect your dog from leishmaniasis by preventing the danger of an undisturbed mosquito bite. The sand fly is primarily nocturnal and is attracted to light. In addition, she needs some time of undisturbed blood-sucking to transmit the pathogens to the dog.
Can dogs with Mediterranean diseases be cured?
Canine leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that has no cure and can be fatal if left untreated. However, early diagnosis and the use of medication can positively influence the course and symptoms.
How much does a Mediterranean disease test cost?
Have a Mediterranean test carried out by the vet 6 – 8 weeks after the adoption (costs approx. EUR 80.00)
Should you adopt a dog with leishmaniasis?
Infected animals need treatment since leishmaniasis is a chronic disease that can take serious forms and, according to current knowledge, cannot be cured. Left untreated, the disease often leads to death within six to twelve months.