HEALTH ADVICE FOR DOGS AND CATS

          TRAVELLING TO EUROPE. (revised July 2003)

 

 

 

          As you are probably aware, under the new P.E.T.S. legislation it is now possible to take cats and dogs to certain countries in Europe and return them to the UK without the need for 6 months quarantine PROVIDING THAT they have been correctly microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and certificated under the scheme (for details of the requirements under the P.E.T.S. scheme please ask at reception for information sheet entitled “PETS travel scheme”).

          The majority of vets now agree that the scheme should provide excellent protection against rabies. However, there are other serious infectious diseases of dogs and cats in Europe not currently present in the UK which can represent a significant hazard to your pets’ health. The aim of this information sheet is to tell you about the most serious of these diseases and what you can do to minimise the risks to your pet.

 

 

 

 

 

There are four significant diseases you should know about.

 

(1)         HEARTWORM

 

            caused by a microscopic nematode worm Dirofilaria immitis.  It is present throughout  Europe. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. The worms then migrate to the chest where they can cause serious heart disease.

 

            PREVENTION OF HEARTWORM.

 

            There are two drugs licensed in the UK against heartworm. One is a spot-on preparation called STRONGHOLD.  The other is a worming preparation called MILBEMAX. Either should be administered at least one month before travelling to Europe, administered every 4 weeks whilst abroad and continued for at least one month after return to UK. Of the two, MILBEMAX  is probably the most effective and has the added advantage of  controlling the tapeworm Echinococcus.

 

(2)            EHRLICHOSIS

 

            caused by a blood parasite Ehrlichia canis. Its European distribution is similar to that for heartworm i.e. throughout Europe. The disease is transmitted by ticks and gets into the bloodstream where it can cause fever and a variety of blood disorders. Many animals recover spontaneously but others (particularly German Shepherd dogs and young animals) can become persistently infected and chronically ill.

 

            PREVENTION OF EHRLICHOSIS.

 

            Prevention is aimed at controlling the ticks that transmit the disease. In the UK the most effective product for tick control is FRONTLINE  either as a spray or spot-on preparation. It should be administered every 4 weeks.  If you are travelling to an area where infection with this parasite is known to be a particular problem then prophylactic antibiotic medication can be used.

 

(3)            BABESIOSIS.

 

                        caused by the blood parasite Babaesia canis.  This is similar to Ehrlichosis; it is also a blood parasite and is transmitted by ticks. It is more widespread  throughout Europe.  Treatment is difficult and often unsuccessful.

 

             PREVENTION OF BABESIOSIS.

 

            Prevention is best achieved by tick control- see under Ehrlichosis. A vaccine and prophylactic antibiotics for this disease are available in France but not in the UK. If you are travelling to an area with a particular problem with this disease you should seek local veterinary advice.

 

 

 

 

 

(4)            LEISHMANIASIS

 

            caused by a parasite Leishmania. This disease occurs in southern Europe especially round the Mediteranaean coast and islands. This tends to be  a slow chronic disease which may not manifest until months or even years after infection. It can cause a variety of problems including skin problems, eye infections, kidney disease and joint pains.

Disease is usually chronic, treatment is expensive and rarely successful. The most serious aspect of Leishmaniasis is that it is zoonotic i.e.. it can be transmitted from animals to man and children are particularly vulnerable.  Consequently, most animals positively diagnosed with leishmaniasis are put to sleep.  The disease is transmitted by sandflies.

 

            PREVENTION OF LEISHMANIASIS.

 

            There are no products available in the UK for preventing leishmaniasis and no vaccines. Insecticidal collars containing deltamethrin  appear to be very effective at controlling sandflies; it is sold under the name SCALIBOR.  N.B. NOT FOR USE IN CATS.  In addition, sandflies are nocturnal and usually found outdoors so keeping dogs animals indoors at night should help reduce the risk of disease. Sandflies also dislike moving air so that a fan kept in the room in which your pet sleeps would offer some additional protection.

 

 

SUMMARY  WHAT CAN I DO?

 

         

These diseases are transmitted by insects so control measures should be needed from March to November.

 

(1)            Administer milbemax  every month starting 1 month before travelling and continuing for at least 1 month after return.

(2)          Administer frontline every month whilst abroad.

(3)     If visiting Southern Europe use a scalibor collar (DOGS ONLY) and keep animals indoors at night with a fan in these areas.

(4)     Seek local veterinary advice to find out if any other regular treatment is recommended in the area in which you are staying.

 

Ensure that your vet is aware that your pet has been abroad and that this has been noted on your records. Veterinary surgeons and veterinary laboratories are not used to checking routinely for these diseases and they can easily be missed if your vet is not aware that your pet has been to Europe.

 

ref.; In Practice vol. 21 no 9 October 1999.

        Veterinary Record  14.10.2000.

        www.liv.ac.uk/lstm/download/Pet_Plan_Report.pdf.

 

 

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