Initial Treatment Program for Puppies or Dogs More Than 6 Months

A veterinarian should be consulted. The following is a guide only of our standard treatment for a dog more than 6 months who comes newly under our care and for whom we have no history. Based upon the health of the dog it may not be appropriate or adequate. The below is an outline or guide of how we do it:

Step 1: Initial health check at the vet

• The vet’s guidance is always followed. We will test the blood, take the temperature, give an overall health check, look for skin conditions, and any other signs of illness.
• A vet plan will be put in place which will include sterilization, testing or treatment for tick fever, other blood testing, vaccinating and microchipping.

Step 2: Blood Work

Dependent on when a dog is infected, bloodwork results may be incorrect as it takes time for many diseases to develop. For example, April may be the best time to test for leishmaniasis, as this is several month after the peak summer months when the sandfly is most prevalent.

• Leishmaniasis: We use the “quick test”. If there is a clean negative then we assume the dog as negative. If there is a positive or doubt then we send to the lab for further testing.
   
• Heartworm: We use the “quick test” for heartworm and/or look at the blood under the microscope. In case of any missed microfilaria we begin heartworm prevention by giving milbemax.
   
  • If the dog is rehomed abroad, it will already be on a course of monthly milbemax, and this should be continued for 3 to 6 months after its arrival to its new country.
  • If the dog is rehomed in Portugal, heartworm prevention should be continued for life.

   

• Tickfever:
  Generally, we treat for tickfever without testing.
  
  Unfortunately, our experience shows that in most cases a dog which has been living in a shelter or on the streets is likely to be carrying one or another form of tick fever. This is relatively easy to cure if the symptoms are not advanced. As there are over 5 types of tick fever, and as each type must be tested separately and this testing is expensive, we do not test for tick fever unless a dog is unwell or showing advanced symptoms.
  
  
  • In most cases we give treatment against all types of tick fever without testing, we feel this is especially important if we are rehoming a dog abroad where they may not be as familiar with the symptoms of the many different types of tick fever..
  • We have a specialized vet look at the blood (a blood smear) for signs of tick fever.  If this is negative and there are no visible symptoms of tick fever as observed by the vet, then there will be no treatment.  But note, this is not a definite negative.
  • We treat for tick fever by
    • Giving a course of the antibiotic Doxiciclina/Actidox (which is the treatment for all types of tick fever except babesia).
    • We either test or treat for babesia.  The treatment for babesia is 2 injections of imizol spaced 10 to 15 days apart – the test or treat decision is made based upon how much time there is before a dog is to be rehomed and how many other treatments a dog is receiving

Step 3: Vaccinations and Sterilization

• Dependent on what is the most urgent, we either first sterilize or first vaccinate. The vaccination should be followed in 21 to 28 days time with a booster vaccination.
• As an animal who is sterilized will be on antibiotics, we try not to vaccinate for 7 to 10 days after the antibiotics are finished. As this is not always possible, the booster vaccination is of increased importance.
• We do not vaccinate 5 to 7 days before travel abroad as vaccinations are live vaccinations and we do not wish the stress of travel coupled with this live vaccination to make an animal unwell.
• We microchip all of our dogs when we give them their rabies vaccination.

Step 4: Course of Treatment against Parasites Including Worms, Microfilaria or Initial Stage Heartworm.

• Every 28 days a spot-on pulvex treatment as protection against parasites and flees with the addition of scalibur collars in hot months.
• Day 1: Milbemax
• Plus 2 weeks: 1 day of Drontal Plus or 3 days of Panacur
• Plus 2 weeks: 1 day of Milbemax
• Plus 2 weeks: 1 day of Drontal Plus or 3 days of Panacur (only if worms are seen)
• Plus 1 month from last date of Milbemax: 1 day of milbemax

From hereon any dog should remain on protection against heartworm by giving monthly either a milbemax or heartgard. And should receive an alternate form of worming every 4 to 6 months.

If travelling abroad we strongly advise keeping the puppy or dog on milbemax for 3 to 6 months after its arrival to its new country.