There's nothing more satisfying than spending long walks in the sunshine with your dog, particularly when there are so many spectacular beaches and mountain walks along the Costa del Sol. However, in Spain it's important to be aware of diseases and dangers that may affect your pet when you're out and about. This includes the fatal Leishmaniosis (also known as Mediterranean or sandfly disease), Ehrlchiosis (also called Tick Disease), Filariosis (heatworm) and Processionary Caterpillars.

?

As well as this, you must take extra care when walking your dog in rural areas as hunters and poachers often lay poisoned bait to control natural predators, such as foxes. This bait can also sometimes be found on urbanisations in order to control the population of stray animals.

?

Because Leishmaniosis is a very serious disease, here's what you need to look out for:

?

This is a parasitic disease transmitted through the bite of phlebotomine sand flies. Dogs can be bitten up to 100 times an hour during the sandfly season (May to September).

If your dog has the following symptoms, you must contact your local veterinary clinic as soon as possible.

To help prevent Leishmaniosis:

Make sure your dog is taken for a yearly blood test to check whether or not the disease has been contracted