There are a number of common diseases that could affect your pet in Spain – but would point out that thousands of pets live in Spain and never have the slightest problem. There are some good preventative measures and the vets in Spain are some of the most highly qualified and well educated in Europe.  

It is worth taking out pet insurance if you are planning to keep a pet here on a permanent basis as although vets here are cheaper than in the UK and Ireland it does not take long the bills to mount up. Below are a few ailments that are worth bearing in mind with Spanish pets: 

• Leishmaniasis is a fatal disease carried by mosquitoes.  It cannot be contracted by cats but dogs should have a regular annual blood test as if diagnosed in time the disease can be controlled for a couple of years by injections and/or tablets. The best way to ensure that your dog does not get the disease is to keep it inside at night when mosquitoes are at their most active.
• Feline Leukemia & Feline Infectious Enteritis:  where approximately 80% of infected cats die. It is passed from cat to cat or mother to kittens and your cat can be vaccinated against this at 8 weeks old with a follow up booster at 12 weeks and then yearly thereafter.
• Kennel cough: is a respiratory infection in dogs.  Symptoms are a mild, irritating cough which can be treated, but it can debilitate the dog and make it vulnerable to other infections.
• Ticks and fleas: can be prevented by the use of the medication "Frontline” which is widely available from vets in Spain. A monthly treatment which is applied by squeezing a phial of medication on the animal’s skin at the back of the head will prevent ticks from attaching themselves to your animal and from fleas living on your animal and in your home. This is far more effective than using tick or flea collars.
• Leeches: do not let your dog drink from drainage ditches or stagnant water as there may be leeches present which can attach themselves to their mouths and nostrils and cause the animal a lot of pain.
• Poisonous toads: will spit a noxious toxin if your pet licks, sniffs or paws at it. This can kill a small dog quickly and cause great deal of pain to larger animals. Symptoms are salivation, vomiting and diarrhea in your pet, but the good news is the vet can provide an antidote if caught in time.
•  Processionary caterpillar: is 3-5 centimeters long and very poisonous if touched. It can harm cats, dogs, children and adults. The nests are found only in pine trees and look like a large candy floss bag. The caterpillars emerge in the spring time and climb down the pine tree following each other nose to tail.  If you discover a nest in your area get a professional in and do not try to destroy it yourself as attempting to burn the nests will release toxins. One preventative measure you can do yourself is to put a “sticky band” round the tree so that the caterpillars cannot descend.