Tons of people get in their cars and they go to see family every single year. If you are planning on taking your pet with you because it’s less stressful for them to be with you rather than apart then there are a couple of things that you can do about this. The first thing that you need to do is book a consultation with your vet to see if your pet is able to travel a long distance. After all, the last thing that you’ll want to do is go out travelling, only to find that you have to turn around halfway because your pet just can’t handle the journey. Your vet will also be able to advise you on what jabs they need to have and they can also let you know if there are any specific requirements for the country that you are visiting as well.
Emergencies
If your pet has an emergency and you are in your own country but a long way from home then it is a good idea for you to contact your local vets. You may also want to look to see if there are any emergency clinics nearby as well. You may also want to use a “find a vet” page to see if there is anybody near you who can help. If you are out of the country then all you can do is the same thing, but you may want to look into any charges that may be present. After all, different countries work in different ways and you really do need to consider all of this if you want to really make sure that your pet is safe.
Pet Passports
Pet passports are now very popular and they have skyrocketed over the last few years. If you are travelling within the EU then your pet will have to have a microchip and they will also have to have an EU passport as well. It’s also really important that your pet has had a rabies vaccine at least 21 days before they travel as well. If there is any mistake in the jabs that your pet has had or if you have filled out any information inaccurately then this can cause you a world of problems and it can also make it much more difficult for you to make the trip.
Non-Approved Countries
There are some countries that are listed as being non-approved. This can include China, India, Sri Lanka and more. You will need to check the entry requirements for these areas so that you can travel with ease and without having to worry. In most cases, you will have to have a rabies injection done for your pet and then you will have to wait an additional 30 days. They will then have to have a blood test done before another 3 months pass. After these 3 months have passed- you will then be able to travel to these countries. Of course, the main thing that you have to remember here is that prevention is better than treatment and that by treating your pet for these conditions before you go, you can easily avoid any emergencies when you are there.
Sand Flies
Sand flies are a huge threat to your pet when you are abroad. They live in woods and gardens, and not on beaches as you would think. They are also present on islands and mostly in Mediterranean countries. They can feed at any time of the day and they are most present between the months of May and October. If you want to try and prevent your dog from getting bites then it is really important that you don’t let your dog sleep outside and it may even help to ask for a room on a higher level. Sand flies have a very limited flight pattern so they are unable to get to higher levels. Of course, it also helps to make sure that you have an environmental insect repellent as well, You may want to have a collar soaked in an insect repellent or you may want to chat with your vet about the country that you are visiting as well. Signs of illness include weight loss, lesions on the eyes or lymph nodes that appear to be enlarged. The signs of a sand fly bite can appear months after it happened so it’s super important that you take this into consideration.
Zoonosis
Ticks are known for living in forests and they are also known for living in campsites as well. They are very common in areas such as France, Belgium, Germany, Southern Europe and more. They are very active in spring and autumn, and if you want to prevent these then there are tick collars that you can get. It is also more than possible for you to check for ticks and there are plenty of treatments available for you to choose from if your dog has them. These can be taken with you when you do go abroad. Signs that your dog has ticks include very pale mucous membranes, weakness, red urine and even collapsing. If you want to really protect your pet then consider getting some colloidal silver for dogs as this is a great antibiotic.
Ehrlichiosis
These bugs are found in France, Corsica, Italy and even Portugal as well. They are known for feeding on dogs and pets and the disease has a very rapid onset as well. They are in the body but they often do not show signs of illness. Your dog may experience things like fever, anorexia and even enlarged lymph nodes as well.
So now you know about the top signs that you need to look out for when you take your pet abroad and you also need to ensure you do everything you can to make sure that they are well-looked after as well. if you have any questions about going abroad then your vet should be able to help you without any problems at all so do keep that in mind.