Relocating with my two cattle dogs (Winter Garden: day care, home, allergies)

[buella63]

We are coming from the high desert in Ca. Shelby is 12yrs and Bonnie is 10yrs. I need to know what they should to be vaccinated for other than rabies. Is there a flea/tick issue? If there is,is there a pretreatment? Neither of them has ever had a flea or a tick. Both are flying with us as checked baggage,and like myself have never flown before. Any suggestions in that area? We are going to come in on a nonstop red eye to minimize their stress. Thanks

[Keeper]

Fleas are a big problem in FL. Ticks are around but normally you wouldn't have a problem unless they run in a wooded area. You will want to get them on heartworm preventative if they aren't already. Heartworms are a big problem in FL as in most states.

There are several options for flea and tick prevention you can get from a vet, order onlne or at a petstore. I order from a website that is much cheaper than the vet or petstore if you are interested.

FL has a 3 yr rabies vaccine now. Some vets now don't give the distemper and other shots every year but do a test to see how immune they are to those diseases. I knew a lady who had a dog that was 5 yo who died from distemper, because she never had him vaccinated so you don't want to take any chances.

[arbasica]

Yes Fleas and Ticks are an issue, although with the current couple nights of a freeze with finally slow things down for at least a bit. Yes heartworm preventative is a BIGGIE as heartworms are carried by mosquitoes (the Florida state bird LOL ) As a start with coming in you may want to try Frontline Plus for fleas and ticks and once you've been here awhile you will find out if your area has more of an issue with one or the other and can change products as needed.

As previously stated Rabies & Distemper (DHLP, DA2LP, DH2PP or some similiar variation on your paperwork) are minimally required every 3 years as will be required by the airline as well, don't forget to get a health certificate from your vet for the airline ! You may also want to consider getting a Kennel Cough Vaccine if you plan on boarding or using a day care facility as well.

Also keep in mind there tends to be a fair amount of "outdoor" cats in Florida so if your pups are "interested" in cats and your yard isn't fenced in watch out for them taking off after one LOL, you never know when there will be a kitty in your yard !

One other thing to watch for when you get here, coming from a very dry climate to Florida allergies may be an issue for the dogs, it is VERY common here for dogs to be allergic to grasses and what not just like us, so if you suddenly notice skin issues, lots of scratching or biting on their feet chances are they may have allergies they never had due to the climate differences.

Good luck and welcome to Florida !

Tony B
Moderator cut: business name
Winter Garden, Fl.

Good luck and welcome to the sunshine state !

[buella63]

Both dogs get their 7 in 1 boosters yearly and its a 3yr rabies here as well. I never gave any thought to the possibility to allergies, I will watch out for that. Both are inside outside dogs, and come and go as they please. We managed to find a home with a fenced backyard with a lawn. Ours here is all dirt, they my very well end up with some kind of a reaction to it. Thanks. I don't know a thing about heartworm. Should I get them on that before I leave here? LOL, on the cat issue. Both are retired working dogs and were raised around barn cats. We used to have this big tom cat that that would keep the dogs inline from the time they were puppies. To this day if they see a cat they lower their heads and slowly walk the other way. It's way to funny to when you see it. Thanks for all your help.

[arbasica]

You can wait on the heartworm however don't wait long, the Heartworm preventative can kill off heartwom filaria (baby heartworms)up to 15 days old also the vet will check before giving the medication. Although the easiest way would do it right before coming down LOL, one less thing to worry about before arrival !

Tony B.