Travelling Australia with your dog
Before we set off on our big lap, we had so many questions about what we needed to do for Tilly’s healthcare during this big trip. If you’re thinking about travelling Australia with your dog, read on. In this post we will cover all you need to know about travelling with your furry companion around Australia. What tick prevention they’ll need, any local jabs for each state, any extra medication required for Tasmania and any general healthcare for your best mate.
Before we left
Before travelling Australia with your dog, you’ll need to get some veterinary advice about what your dog will need. Different areas have different issues and your vet will be able to navigate you through any concerns.
We are fortunate enough to have awesome vets. We stumbled across Wanneroo Vet Hospital when we first arrived in Australia. Luckily, this was our nearest vet. We have since left that area but we still travel 25 minutes to see Bruce or Steve, even though we have a vet only 3 minutes drive away.
I spoke with these guys about all Tilly’s needs for travelling Australia and they informed us of all relevant care.
If anyone lives in the northern suburbs of Perth, we can highly recommend these guys http://wanneroovet.com.au/
Worms, ticks and fleas
In Perth we don’t have to worry about the paralysis tick. Previously on our vets recommendation, we used various treatments for worms, ticks and fleas. However, as we were now travelling with Tilly, Bruce our vet advised us that Nexgard Spectra was the way to go. As it’s an all in one which covers everything, so less to travel with.
If we are in a high tick area, we normally check her over once a day. We check her ears, gums and paws and then run our hands over her coat feeling for any feeding ticks. Luckily she’s shorthaired, so any ticks would be noticeable on her coat.
The nexgard spectra are a once a month chew. They come in various sizes dependant on the weight of your dog. We normally buy a 6 month pack as it works out to best value for money. They retail anywhere between $100 – $140 per 6 months. We normally wait for specials or when we receive our loyalty voucher from pet barn ( city farmers in WA ) to buy, as they’re not cheap.
Tasmania
Tasmanian border authorities require all dogs to be treated with the Hytadid worming tablet within 14 days of arrival to Tasmania.
Proof of administration needs to be provided in way of a vet certificate, if given by a vet. Alternatively, if self administered by yourself you will need to provide the pill packet and the receipt for proof of purchase along with a self certification.
More information can be found here https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Importing_dogs.pdf
For more information about dong the spirit of Tasmania crossing with your dog click here https://www.chrisveeandtillysbiglap.com/spirit-of-tasmania-crossing/
Far North queensland
In far North Queensland, there is a potentially deadly disease called Leptospirosis. Transferred between infected animals, which urinate on say a lamppost, which your dog could sniff. Leptospirosis has pockets of infected areas anywhere from Mackay upwards, and it also covers areas in the Northern Territory.
We knew that inland areas weren’t hotspots for this disease. So after making our way through Outback Queensland, we got her vaccinated in Townsville.
James Cook University is a teaching vet hospital in Townsville. We thought that this would be the best place to get Tilly’s first vaccine done. Then once she’d had her first jab done, she would need a 2nd booster by the time we arrived in Cairns.
The staff here are great, I think our appointment ran for 40 minutes, which included a full examination. You felt that these guys were really looking after you and your pet.
Other care
Other things to watch out for are the usual things like snakes and spiders. Upon arriving at camp, check your surroundings for overgrown grass and scrub, the prefect hiding place for snakes. Tilly is always kept on a 3 meter leash so thankfully she can’t venture too far.
Another issue, and this tends to be around national parks but can be found outside of the parks is 1080 bait. This bait is used to kill pests in National Parks and surrounds, however birds have been known to pick up the bait and drop else where. It’s an horrific death for any animal, so be very mindful in baited areas.
As Tilly is also exercising and walking a lot more we’ve also had to up her food and water intake. She was looking a tad skinny at one point so we’ve had to increase her daily meals and fluids. Just another thing to think about.
In summary
Travelling Australia with your dog is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. However you need to plan ahead, whether that be with a healthcare related matter or just the small things like where the nearest pet shop is to top their food up. You just need to think ahead and you’ll have no issues.
Some people think that travelling Australia with your dog is too hard and either give the dog to a family member to look after or get rid of the poor thing all together. Just make it work…. your dog will love your forever, give them the same respect.