HEALTH RISKS FOR PETS TRAVELLING TO EUROPE

When pets travel abroad to warmer countries they will be exposed to diseases that are not present in the United Kingdom and to which they have no immunity. Several hundred dogs returning to Britain under the pet travel scheme have been infected with exotic infections. Unfortunately, these exotic infections can be very difficult to treat and deaths have occurred.

The main risks for pets travelling in Europe are Canine Heartworm, Erlichiosis, Canine Redwater and Leishmaniasis.

LEISHMANIASIS

Is present all around the Mediterranean basin, in North Africa, in Spain and especially in the Balearic Islands. Dogs are infected by the bites of tiny sandflies. The disease is slowly progressive with enlargement of the lymph nodes and the development of skin and eye disease being prominent symptoms. The condition is difficult to diagnose and treat, and infection can be transmitted to humans.

Prevention of infection is by avoiding sandfly bites. Sandflies are found on or close to beaches and are present at dusk and during the night. Thus beach areas should be avoided by dogs at these times. Sandflies are active throughout the summer months and all dogs should wear a Deltamethrin impregenated collar (A Scalibor collar) outwith the winter period. Deltamethrin has been proven to decrease the risk of sandfly bites by about 90%

CANINE REDWATER

Is present in most European countries south of the English Channel. In some areas of France, 85% of dogs have been exposed to this disease. Infection causes fever, anaemia, blood in the urine and liver and kidney damage. The signs are, in effect, very similar to those seen with malaria in humans. Young dogs are more susceptible and are more likely to die as a result of infection. Several deaths have occurred in pets brought back to the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme. There is no licensed treatment for this disease. Infection is spread by ticks that must be present on the dog for 2-3 days to transmit infection. Ticks may be present all year round depending on rainfall and local climatic conditions.

Prevention can be achieved by inspecting pets daily with particular attention piad to the hairless areas of the armpits and belly and removing any ticks with a proprietary tick-removing device. Use a deltamethrin collar. These are marketed under the trade name Scalibor and are availble to clients from reception. Apply a topical insecticide at regular intervals - we recommend Prac-Tic spot on at monthly intervals. Avoid areas of scrub and heath where ticks tend to feed.

ERLICHIOSIS

Is another infection spread by ticks. It is commonly present in all warmer climates and doses not tend to have a seasonal incidence. Erlichiosis causes fever, weight loss, enlarged lymph glands and bleeding tendencies. Infection can be transmitted to humans. Prevention is by effective tick control as for Canine redwater.

CANINE HEARTWORM

Is found throughout the tropics and sub-tropical world. It is present throughout most of the USA except the very Northern states and is present throughout Southern Europe including Southern France, Spain and the Mediterranean seaboard. The further South you travel, the higher the incidence of heartworm. Transmission is through the animal being bitten by mosquitoes. Signs can be very variable but include vague illness, reluctance to exercise, swelling of the abdomen or jaundice. Signs only become apparent at least 6 months after infection.

Dogs that are living permanently or semi-permanently in warmer climates should be given a Heartworm preventative monthly during the mosquito season. It may help to seek advice locally as to the appropriate treatment period. Generally, in tropical countries treatment needs to be year-round, in warm temperate countries treatments will only be required during the warmer months of the year. For animals spending a short time abroad, a single treatment with the wormer Milbemax on return home will kill off any early infections and prevent the occurrence of disease.