Health FAQs

It is a legal requirement to vaccinate all dogs coming from abroad against rabies and to deworm them before transport. They will also have had a booster and be treated for fleas and ticks.

All our dogs are extensively tested before travelling into the UK and where required, treatment against diseases is started as soon as possible. The tests we do are: Biochemistry, Haematology, Electrophoresis, Leishmaniasis, Ehrlichia (tick related disease), Anaplasmosis (tick related disease), Rickettsia (tick related disease), Borrelia (tick related disease), Babesia (tick related disease), Brucella, Dirofilaria (heartworms).

We will provide the results of all the tests done in Italy to the adopter.

If the dog is positive to leishmaniasis, this is classified as a pre-existing condition, so it will generally not be covered. If the dog was negative upon arrival and will test positive later on in life, make sure that leishmaniasis is not listed in the exclusions of the policy. But even if it is not excluded, coverage could be difficult. For recommendations or if you want to discuss that further please contact us.

Dogs positive to leishmaniasis should have blood tests every six months unless there is cause of concern sooner. We recommend also leish negative dogs to be tested regularly (once a year), as leishmaniasis can manifest itself even years after the dog's arrival in the UK. We offer and are happy to provide further information and guidance on leishmaniasis related matters to you and your vet should they not be familiar with the disease.

This will of course depend on how badly the dog is affected - every dog differs - and of the costs of the vet and laboratory used.

Blood tests: costs can vary between £250 and £500 or even above. It is absolutely critical to ask your vet before proceeding and possibly approach other vets for estimates.

Allopurinol is the maintenance medication most dogs will be on for a few months after full treatment in Italy. The cheapest way to procure that is asking your vet for a prescription and buy it online or at a chemist. In doing so, the monthly cost will be around £20.

Dogs with leishmaniasis do not need special food, but while on allopurinol they must have a low purine diet to limit the formation of crystals; chicken and white fish are the preferred protein options (no offals!).

We always encourage our vets to do extensive checks on our dogs including looking at teeth and if needed we would have them cleaned or treated in Italy. If that is the case a donation towards cleaning of their teeth is greatly appreciated.