As temperatures rise, not only does the travel season begin, but parasites such as ticks, fleas, mites, mosquitoes, and worms also become significantly more active again. For dogs, this means an increased risk, especially during outings in nature or trips abroad.

Tick Protection: Why It's So Important

Ticks can transmit various diseases and are now active almost year-round, but especially in the spring, summer, and fall.

Possible conditions include, among others:

• Lyme disease
• Anaplasmosis
• Babesiosis
• Ehrlichiosis
  
  

You should thoroughly check your dog, especially after walks through forests, meadows, or tall grass. There are several options available to protect your dog:

• Spot-on treatments
• Tablets
• Collars
• Sprays

Which option is best depends on the animal, your lifestyle, and whether you plan to travel.

Ectoparasites Abroad: Often Underestimated

Anyone traveling abroad with their dog should find out about appropriate parasite protection well in advance. Depending on the destination and region, different parasites and infectious diseases may be a concern.

These include:

• sand flies
• Mosquitoes
• Ticks
• Heartworms
• Leishmaniasis
• Babesiosis
• Ehrlichiosis

There is an increased risk, particularly when traveling to Southern Europe, such as Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Portugal, or France.

Important: Some preventive measures must be started several weeks before your trip, so be sure to schedule your vet appointment well in advance.

Worm infestation: In principle, any dog can be affected

Any dog can become infected with worms, and this happens more often than many pet owners realize.

Possible sources of infection:

• Sniffing or picking up other dogs' feces
• Rodent droppings
• Contact with snails
• Consumption of carrion
• Licking their fur after rolling around
• BARF or raw meat feeding
  
  

These questions can help you assess your own situation

These questions can help you assess your own situation

• Does your dog have access to an outdoor area?
• Does it eat feces, snails, rodents, or carrion outdoors?
• Do you feed a raw diet?
• Are you planning a trip?
• Does the dog have close contact with babies or people with weakened immune systems?
• Is the dog pregnant?
• Is it a puppy?
  
  

Special Considerations for Puppies

Puppies are particularly susceptible to roundworms. If the mother is infected, puppies can become infected either while still in the womb or later through her milk.

Therefore:

• First deworming starting at 2 weeks of age
• then every two weeks
• up to 2 weeks after the last breastfeeding session

Lactating female dogs should also be treated at the same time.

Can worms be detected through a fecal exam?

Yes—but there are some restrictions.

Worm eggs are not always shed regularly. Therefore, a negative fecal test result is possible even if an infection is present.

Reasons:

• irregular bowel movements
• immature worms
• tapeworms that are difficult to detect

For this reason, it is sometimes recommended to collect stool samples over several days.

How long does a deworming treatment last?

Worm treatments are only effective for a short time, usually about 1 to 3 days. They do not provide long-term protection against reinfection.

This means that, in theory, a dog can become reinfected immediately after a successful deworming treatment.

That is why a personalized deworming plan is so important.

Be careful with home remedies

Time and again, supposed alternatives such as the following circulate:

• Coconut oil
• Garlic
• Onions
• Tea tree oil
• Amber necklaces
• Ultrasonic collars

There is no scientific evidence that these methods provide any protection. Some of them, such as onions or tea tree oil, can even be harmful to dogs.

Therefore, rely on approved products and personalized veterinary advice.

Our tip before your vacation

Our tip before your vacation

• Check your destination well in advance
• Be aware of the risks of parasites
• Implement protective measures in a timely manner
• Check for deworming
• Take illnesses incurred abroad into account

Be sure to seek advice well in advance, ideally several weeks before your trip. This will allow you to start any necessary preventive measures in time and ensure your dog is fully prepared.