We are intending in May to head from Adelaide up to Darwin and then across to Cairns then down the coast back home. My question : is there any precautions for the dogs we need to take other than the having their shots up to date to ensure they stay safe from diseases and ticks and so on.
What lovely dogs. Be prepared for them looking not so clean when they go bush. My Molly became almost red from the dirt. Maybe get some eye ointment from the vet. Molly's eyes became quite irritated from the dust.
For me, the debate on whether to clip them or not. Can be good. Easier to keep clean. I think she may have been more insulated from the heat with her long coat.
Keep them on a lead. This is as much for their safety as anything. Lots of baits around. Though more so in WA.
Keep them away from the water's edge. Crocks love bite size dogs.
In general be aware of where they are and what they are up to at all times. I think of it like having a toddler that can wander away and get into all sorts of trouble very quickly.
The dogs are booked in for a trim before we leave , So sound like we need to pack the dog shampoo LOL. The bigger dog will stay clean as he only needs to shake and every thing falls of how ever the little one may be in for a few baths.
Last winter we made the trip across from Tassie west and up to Exmouth and back, the most alarming thing was the amount of baiting that is done in South Australia and Western Australia.
Understanding the reasons to control Feral animals is one thing but the reality is that these baits can be carried by birds a great distance from where they are dropped (WA does a lot of aerial baiting) and there are countless stories of pets dying in their own yards from transferred baits. there is no antidote and very little chance of survival from a very horrible and slow death from these poisons.
Google 1080 bait deaths in dogs before you travel and be very cautious.
Always walk your dog on the hard gravel through these areas where you can see where they are walking and sniffing.
If travelling over the Atherton tablelands the paralysis ticks are extremely prevelant. Probably obvious, but when travelling through and stopping near waterways just watch the dogs with the crocs, and please be advised that cairns is extremely expensive to stay and not many caravan parks there allow dogs as far as we are aware, we recommend the free camp spot at Babinda around 30-50km south of cairns. Many nomads stop there with pets.
Whenever we take our dog north into Paralysis Tick areas we ensure she takes the monthly chew, Nexguard. As well we have a tick removal tool, never used thank goodness. We keep her on a lead and if we are giving her a run we look for a well grassed and safe area where we can ensure she is safe. Whenever we get home from such a trip we feel odd wandering about without at least one plastic poo bag in our pocket!
