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Pet Travel |
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- Rabies
Despite all the hysteria, the risk of rabies is very low vaccines are extremely effective.
- Heartworm
As the name suggests, this worm lives in the chambers of the heart and the great vessels. This is transmitted by mosquitoes and is common in southern Europe especially southern France, Spain, Italy and around the Mediterranean. In Britain, a handful of cases are diagnosed each year - normally in imported dogs. There can be a time-lapse between infection and symptoms. In some cases it can be years before signs become apparent. Once a dog has developed heartworm, the outlook is pretty grim so prevention is essential. If you are visiting a country where heartworm is present, visit a vet immediately on arrival and get heartworm tablets - or ask your UK vet about Stronghold. Heartworm is a zoonotic disease although the risk to humans is low.
- Babesiosis
This is a serious tick-borne disease which destroys blood cells and only affects dogs. Signs include fever, anaemia, blood in the urine and jaundice and susceptible dogs can die within a day or two of the appearance of signs. It was babesiosis that was reported as the cause of the tragic death of the Westie that has been widely reported in the press as the first victim of a disease contracted while abroad under the Pet Travel Scheme. British dogs are particularly susceptible to this and other diseases found in mainland Europe since having never encountered them, they have no resistance. Canine babesiosis is particularly prevalent in France especially south of the Loire Valley. Proper treatment for ticks is vital for stopping infection from developing. It is worth checking your dog?s coat every day you are away and on your return - if you can remove ticks in the first day infection can be prevented.
- Ehrlichiosis
This is another tick-borne disease presently unknown in Britain. It is prevalent in southern Europe, round the Mediterranean, the Rhone valley and in Finland. Signs are non-specific although in the later stages there are haemorrhages including nosebleeds.Again, prevention is aimed at preventing ticks from infecting your pet.It is possible that tick-borne diseases could enter Britain if tick control is not rigorously enforced under the Pet Travel Scheme.
- Leishmaniasis
This disease is carried by sandflies and occurs particularly around the Mediterranean, especially Sardinia and Sicily however as summers become warmer the risk of the disease comes from further and further north.Signs include weight loss, enlarged glands, skin problems and chronic renal failure. Treatment is possible but there is a very serious zoonotic potential with Leishmania - owners can catch it as well. The sandfly may not be seen to bite the dog and the incubation period can vary from a few weeks to several years. Even more worrying is that it can be transmitted from dog to dog as well as dog to man. In humans the disease is similar to that of the dog. There are skin ulcers, enlarged spleen, enlarged lymph nodes, anaemia, vomiting, diarrhoea and progressive weight loss. Normally humans will only contract the disease if they have a suppressed immune system. Again British dogs have no immunity to this disease and so avoiding the sandflies is essential. If you are visiting a country where this disease is prevalent, visit a vet on arrival - they have more experience with this disease than our own vets and can suggest preventative measures. Treatment is lengthy and expensive and only keeps the disease at bay - there is no cure.
- Echinoccus mulitlocaris
This is a specific tapeworm that occurs in France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and is spreading. Dogs affected with this tapeworm show no signs but this is a zoonotic disease and if owners become contaminated from their pets, large tumour-like masses can occur, particularly in the liver. The tapeworm should be prevented by the ‘fleas and ticks’ treatment required for the Pet Travel Scheme.
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