Hi, in addition to all the usual vaccinations/treatments I had heard that heartworm was a worry for dogs in Southern France so for the last 2 years I have used a treatment to prevent this. So far, so good - easy to apply just like frontline. The other day I was reading about Piroplasmose being a particularly nasty disease carried by dodgy ticks. My question is this - there are loads of things a dog can catch abroad - what, realistically should I be preventing against - what do you all do who take their dogs to France before going and whilst there? Any experiences?
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I'm just bumping this up to the top feeblecat, as this is of interest to us (and many others surely?) as we are going to be getting our dogs' passports later this year.
Can't believe nobody has answered this with their experiences! Loads of people take their dogs to France every year.
Our dog has travelled with us for the last 5 years to France, Spain, Germany and Holland and we have not experienced any problems. All she has is Frontline or Advantix before we go.
We will be setting off for Spain on Friday and will be there for around 11 weeks and will do the usual with walks on the beach or around the markets.
There is always the chance that she may catch something but there are many people who take their dogs abroad without any problems.
Thanks. I have another thread (Piroplasmose) running and received some good comments there. The gist is, I think, that there is probably all sorts of stuff they COULD catch (just like us!) and just to continue taking the precautions I already take is probably best i.e frontline as normal, stronghold (for heartworm in the south) applied 3 times at monthly intervals (starting the month before leaving) and extra combing to check for ticks. We have been to the South (and all over) France the last 2 years without bother so I must be doing something right. Panic over! But any additional advice I am happy to receive.
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If you are going between Jan & April watch out for Pine Processionary Caterpillars.I know I have become boring with this subject but we had an awful time avoiding them last Feb & March in Spain and France. They can be lethal to dogs. The Caravan Club book (section on taking pets abroad ) does draw attention to them .Unfortunately we hadn't read it before we set off.You would be wise to look them up on Google. Mike has told me via this forum that La Manga site appears to be free of them.
We use Advantix instead of Frontline as it covers your dog for Mossies
We were advised by our vet to use Advantix, we have used it for the last 5 years on our 2 dogs never had any problems (we always go in June).
We go for 3 weeks so use the Advantix 1 week before we go so that they are not over dosed when the French vet does the Tick and Tape worm treatment for the passport.
If you are thinking of using Advantix, do a trial run first, we have one dog who can not tolerate it.
Yes those blasted caterpillars are a real PITA, but they don't wander far from the pine trees, look for places with other types of trees or open area's.
Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 19/1/2011
I wonder why we humans can't have something which does the same thing? I would cheerfully pay if something really was effective!
In reply/response to the OP, I hope that you find the following to be of interest: -
We have lived in France now for 7 years along with our 4 English Springer Spaniels all of whom came from the same specialist rescue centre in Lincolnshire and our dogs have never had any problems with diseased/infected tic bites and neither has anyone else we know.
Yes you will always hear of the odd few incidents in exactly the same way as you will do with almost any rarely reported disease in humans and of course the press are always willing to sensationalise anything they can get their teeth into.
It is widely recognised that dogs/cats from the British Isles do not have the same naturally inbred resistance to diseases such as the one in question as the animals do that are born and bred in mainland Europe.
As for us, we live in a very rural area of France in what most agree are idyllic surroundings and are widely known for our unique fully fenced dog pitches on our site, the result of which is that we see a large number of pooch loving people.
In the area surrounding us there are countless hundreds of miles of never ending tracks through the woodland all of which are in theory, an excellent environment for the nasty six legged little critters to live and yet we rarely have any problems with them and neither do any of our visitors.
I always suggest to anyone coming to France or indeed mainland Europe to be vigilant at all times, always regularly check the coats of your faithful four legged friend, always have a fine tic/flea comb with you and always carry one of those tic extracting devices you can buy from vets or good pet shops. I also suggest that as well as your Frontline (or similar) treatment to also fit them with a new and strong flea/tic collar as well.
Lastly, never forget that if you are walking your faithful friend through the undergrowth that your human skin is every bit as attractive as theirs!
I personally know one person who has suffered / is suffering a break down in his nervous immune system because of an infected tic bite, so beware and always be vigilant but please, please, please don't let it really worry you as the incident rate is blown up totally out of all proportion.
Hello, I was just wanting to ask what are the dos and don'ts of camping in France with your dog. We are just waiting for our first dog to be ready to come to us and i was wondering about the possibility of holidays with the dog this summer.
we live in Germany and were thinking about France, 'Pays de Loire' in particular, but have read that no dogs are allowed on beaches....Is this true, or can you find the odd beach that does allow dogs....also I would not really want to leave doggy alone in the tent although I have a crate for her, but what should i do if we decide to visit the pool for example...or should we just not do that if we have the dog!!!! sorry if this seems a stupid question...Just wanted to take the opportunity to ask some experienced campers how to camp in France with a dog....
Thanks...hope you do not mind be adding to the thread on a slightly diffferent topic....
------------- take care CJ
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Hi, have not been to the Loire yet but have been to Normandy, Burgundy, the Med, the Ardeche, the Pyrenees, the Ardeche and the Dordogne. Dogs are allowed almost everywhere and are made welcome at most places with a bowl of water (including restaurants). When I was at the med dogs arent allowed on most beaches, but there are a few (I found an excellent one) and have earmarked others for when I return. I had a link for beaches that allows dogs but can't find it - maybe Val (I think it was Val who gave me it) or others will post it again. I highlighted the beaches onto my road map book for future reference. I'm sure there will be beaches that permit dogs somewhere in the area you are going to.
Regarding swimming pools - I'm afraid that is one luxury you may have to forgoe - unless you take turns at dog-sitting. That's what we do - I go to the pool, hubby walks the dog (hubby doesnt like swimming pools anyway).
I personally wouldnt leave the dog alone in the tent in the crate. We never leave ours anywhere in France unattended - it can get very, very hot. My opinion of course.
feeblecat, i would be interested to have that link to 'dog friendly beaches' if you can find it or if Val has it. Swimming pools won't really bother us when we have the dogs with us but we shall miss being able to 'wander' around the supermarkets together but a small price to pay to have our dogs with us!
If you google 'plages autorises aux chiens, you'll get several more websites - unfortunately all in French, but if you've any problems then I'm sure someone will help.
ok thanks...that is really helpful...think we can forgoe the family swimmingpool session if we can find a beach...brill thanks again!!! do not think i would have left her alone in the tent either would have just been worrying if I had!!!!
I do miss my leisurely meandering round the supermarket. Now I tend to do a "supermarket sweep" because I'm so aware of OH and pooch loitering in the heat outside!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Dogs, France and diseases!!
Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 19/1/2011
