Travelling with your dog

Requirements before taking your dog on a trip

Is your dog going on holiday with you? How fun! However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

The following rules apply to all countries:

• Pets must have a European pet passport.
• Pets must be identified with a microchip (a tattoo is no longer valid).
• Pets must be vaccinated against rabies. This must be done at least 21 days before departure and kept up to date according to the vaccination schedule. Rabies vaccination can be given from the age of 3 months.
  Important: Some countries have different requirements regarding rabies vaccination. Always double-check the rules.
• Some countries also have additional requirements, such as a health certificate or treatment against certain worms. This applies, for example, to travel to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Malta.
• For a number of countries outside the EU, a rabies antibody blood test must be done before travel. Keep in mind that this procedure can take several weeks.

Need more information about the pet import requirements for your destination? At De Dierenkliniek, we’re happy to offer travel advice and can provide a personalized travel consultation for your pet.

Travel after Brexit

If you are planning to travel to or from the United Kingdom, please note that the rules have changed since Brexit. To ensure you are well-prepared to travel with your pet to the United Kingdom, check the requirements here: UK Government: Pet travel to Europe after Brexit.

Travel sickness

Dogs can also suffer from travel sickness. During the (car) journey, they may feel nauseous, drool excessively, and sometimes vomit. If you know your dog is prone to travel sickness, it is possible to give medication as a preventive measure. Please consult your veterinarian about this.

Protecting your dog against foreign diseases

Leishmaniasis

In Mediterranean countries, the disease Leishmaniasis is present. This is a serious and often fatal illness in dogs. It is transmitted through the bite of a small sandfly (active from dusk to dawn), which injects the tiny Leishmania parasite into the dog’s skin. These parasites then spread to the dog’s organs, where they can cause a range of problems—from hair loss to more severe issues such as liver and kidney failure.

Leishmaniasis is difficult to treat, and treatment can be lengthy and expensive. A quick diagnosis and early start of treatment are very important. Even with treatment, a relapse at a later stage cannot be ruled out. The saying “prevention is better than cure” certainly applies to this disease.

Prevention can be achieved by applying a suitable spot-on product (Vectra 3D®) every two weeks or by using a tick collar (Seresto®). Both options also protect your dog against fleas and ticks. Since sandflies are mainly active in the evening and at night, it is advised to keep your dog indoors as much as possible during these times.

A vaccination against Leishmaniasis is also available nowadays, called Canileish®. In the first year, this vaccination consists of a series of three injections given at three-week intervals. After that, it must be repeated annually.
We recommend testing your dog before vaccination if they have already been in areas where the disease is present. The vaccine is suitable for dogs older than 6 months and must be administered at least 2 weeks before or after other vaccinations. It is especially recommended for dogs that frequently travel to affected regions, as an extra layer of protection. However, preventive measures against sandflies, as described above, remain necessary.

Ticks

Ticks are found both in the Netherlands and abroad. Tick bites can cause abscesses or infections, but ticks can also transmit several dangerous diseases to your pet, including Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, and Lyme disease. Even in the Netherlands, ticks can carry and spread diseases.
It is therefore always important to protect your dog properly against ticks. This can be done using a suitable spot-on product (Vectra 3D®), chewable tablets (Nexgard), or a tick collar (Seresto® for dogs or cats).

It also remains important to check your dog for ticks after every walk. If you find a tick, you can remove it using a special tick removal tool. It can take several days for pathogens to pass from the tick into your dog’s bloodstream, so the sooner you remove the tick, the better.

Read more about ticks in dogs

Worms

While abroad, pets are at risk not only of the common roundworms and tapeworms found in the Netherlands, but also of more dangerous parasites such as heartworms and lungworms. Heartworm is transmitted by a specific type of mosquito, which is currently found only in Southern and Eastern Europe (starting from France). The larvae are passed on to dogs through mosquito bites. Adult heartworms, which can grow to 12–30 cm in length, typically settle in the pulmonary arteries and the heart, where they cause serious damage. Symptoms may include coughing, reduced stamina, weight loss, and in severe cases, organ failure. Without treatment, heartworm infection is fatal.

Heartworm-related problems can be prevented by treating the dog before the larvae have a chance to develop into adult worms. It is very important to deworm your dog once upon returning home, and again one month later. If you are staying abroad with your dog for more than a month, your dog should be treated monthly. We recommend using Milbemax® deworming tablets. An alternative is a suitable spot-on product, such as Advocate.

If you have any questions or would like to know which products are most suitable for your pet, feel free to ask our assistants.
Would you like to keep this information handy? Just ask us at the reception desk to print out our holiday information letter for you.

Have a great holiday!