Caring for Your Dog in Portugal

A dog should receive protection from Viruses by Vaccinating and Protection against Parasites by Prevention. Please sterilize and identify your animal.

SIMPLE PLAN! This is not the only way to provide adequate protection, it is simply our guide if you and your dog are living in Portugal. At all times consult your veterinarian. In summary:

• Application of Pulvex or Advantix every 28 days.
• Fitting of a new Scalibor Collar every 4 to 6 months or as additional protection in hot months.
• Monthly Dose of Milbemax or Heartgard – only begin on adult dogs who have tested negative for heartworm.
• Every 4 to 6 months one day dose of drontal plus or similar wormer. This should only be done two weeks from the date a milbemax or heartgard is given.

THE FOLLOWING IS A GUIDE AND SHOULD ONLY BE USED FOR HEALTHY DOGS. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN AND DETERMINE WHAT IS THE CORRECT TREATMENT AND PREVENTION PLAN FOR YOUR DOG.

IF YOU HAVE A NEW DOG THEN THE BELOW GUIDE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT AND OTHER TREATMENTS MAY BE NECESSARY PLEASE ALSO SEE OUR INITIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS UNDER PET CARE FOR GUIDANCE

Viruses:

Because of the stray population of dogs and cats, and because many Portuguese dogs and cats are not vaccinated, it is very important to keep your pet up to date on its vaccinations.

1. Vaccinating:
   
   
   1. A dog should receive an annual vaccination and health check by your vet.
   2. A dog is required by law in Portugal to have an annual rabies vaccination, and all animals born after July 2008 are required to have a microchip.
   3. A puppy or dog being vaccinated for the first time should receive at least two vaccinations and sometimes more (please consult your vet).
   4. A puppy who is not fully vaccinated should not be taken to unprotected outdoor areas until it has proper immunity.

Prevention:

Portugal is a southern climate and there are many diseases in Portugal that are not as great of a concern for pets living in colder climates. If you have recently moved to Portugal or if you have a new dog or cat please speak with a veterinarian about what protection your dog or cat needs.

1. Protection from Parasites: The following treatment is a guide to protect against leishmaniasis (from bite of infected sandfly), tick fever (bite of infected tick), and fleas.
   
   
   1. Pulvex or Advantix or similar spot on treatments: A spot on skin treatment to be applied every 28 days. A dog should not be wet for 24-48 hours before or after application of a spot on treatment.
      Note: Pulvex is now our preferred treatment as it has slightly increased protection against sandfly. A close second to pulvex is advantix. Frontline does not protect against sandfly/leishmaniasis.
   2. Scalibor Collars: A white collar effective for up to 6 months. Do not use a substitute as we believe the scalibor collar to be the most effective and some collars only protect against fleas. The collars work best when clean. So if they get very muddy they should be wiped clean with warm water.
   3. Time of Day: If at all possible keep your dog indoors at dawn and at dusk, this is the peak time of day for sandflies.

   
   Note: In hot months it is most effective to use both the spot on treatment and a scalibor collar to provide extra protection. This is only protection, it is not complete prevention.

2. Protection from Heartworm: There are alternative preventative products that can be used for heartworm, which is different to regular worms. Heartworm develops from the bite of an infected mosquito, without prevention it can develop from microfilaria in the blood to an adult size worms that will live in the heart and cause tremendous destruction and eventually death. For more information about heartworm visit www.heartwormsociety.org
   
   
   1. Heartgard: A monthly chewable tablet that prevents heartworm.
   2. Milbemax: A monthly tablet that prevents heartworm and other types of general worms.
   3. Heartworm Vaccination: An annual vaccination that prevents heartworm (although please consult your vet about whether this is the best treatment option for you as it is often not a vet’s first choice).

    

3. Protection from Worms: A vet should be consulted for dosage. The damage that can be done to a dog with worms is extreme so please consult your veterinarian.
   
   
   1. A dog with no sign of worms:
      1. General Wormers:
         • As prevention most vets advise giving a dog one day of wormer every 4 to 6 months. Wormers used include drontal plus, zipyran plus, caniquantel plus, or milbemax. Panacur is also a very effective wormer but unlike other wormers it must be given for three consecutive days to be effective.
         • All animals of a household (dogs and cats) should be wormed at the same time.
   2. A dog with signs of worms: Please see our initial treatment program for dogs. Please pay careful attention to worming of puppies and see our initial treatment program for puppies.
      1. General Wormers:
         • Day One – three days of a wormer
         • Plus One Month
           • (if no worms are seen) – one day of a wormer
           • (if worms are seen) – three days of a wormer
   3. Milbemax:
      • Day One – a Milbemax
      • Plus 2 weeks one day or Drontal Plus or 3 days of Panacur
      • Plus 2 weeks – a milbemax.