Follow Up Treatment if an Animal Travels Abroad

While in Portugal we have tried to provide the best prevention and protection from disease possible. However…

A dog with a negative test result for leishmaniasis may still develop leishmaniasis. This is rare but not impossible. Additionally, if your dog is abroad and your vet has tested the blood and suspects leishmaniasis, please ensure that ehrlichiose has been ruled out. Ehrlichiose is a form of tick fever that can affect the test results of leishmaniasis and cause a false positive or an indefinite. Please see leishmaniasis/sandfly for more detailed information.

We have tried to ensure against development of tick fever by providing treatment. However, testing for all the types of tick fever is extremely costly. See our initial treatment program for puppies or dogs more than 6 months for more information.

Heartworm, unlike leishmaniasis, can be completely protected against. When we test for heartworm we can ascertain that the dog is negative for dirofilaria (heartworm that has developed and exists in the heart). However, there is the possibility that early stage microfiliaria exists in the bloodstream and was not seen on the blood smear or that the dog was bitten by an infected mosquito between the time of testing and the time it arrives. For this reason we strongly suggest that heartworm prevention (milbemax) be continued when a dog arrives to its new country.

Heartworm infected mosquitoes are known to exists as far north as Paris. Infected sandflies are known to exist as far north as southern France.

WE STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM BE USED FOR ALL DOGS TRAVELLING TO COUNTRIES WHICH ARE NOT AT HIGH RISK OF HEARTWORM.

Any dog or puppy should receive milbemax every month for 3 to 6 months after they arrive in their new country.

So for example….

Dog 1 has been with us for 2 months.  He has received 2 milbemax before traveling to Germany.  On arrival he should receive a milbemax every month on the same date for another 4 months.

Dog 2 has been with us for 6 months.  He has received 6 milbemax before travelling to Germany.  On arrival he should receive a milbemax every month on the same date for another 3 months.

Any milbemax given to the dogs while in Portugal will be noted in the passports.

For more information on these diseases please see our useful links under veterinary information