Hello everyone,

I have recently (1 1/2 Months) relocated to Africa, Benin.. My one and a half year old Mal is still in Lebanon.. I plan on getting him soon.. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas in terms of health hazards.. he will be staying in doors (air conditioned) and will be out doors when it's not too hot. I'm also worried about all the vaccinations that he will be taking (he's a Raw and Vaccine free dog).. For him to travel he needs to be vaccinated! Any input will be appreciated.!!

I wish I knew something to tell you. Hopefully some of our wiser heads on this list will be able to advise you. I expect there's no way to get around the vaccines, but maybe you can get by with only a Rabies vaccination?

Guys,
I lived in two different African countries for a total of almost four years. There is *no* way that a dog without a valid international vaccination certificate will be allowed into any country on the continent.

Even with the certificate in hand, I'd highly suggest having a fair amount of US 20 dollar bills as bribe money to help get your dog unloaded off the aircraft and through customs.
Nearly every African country has a strong system of petty bribery in place as a virtual institution, get used to that charming way of life while you're down there.

Well, the bribery aspect is one I hadn't considered, but the vaccination issue is just as Will said - an absolute legal must. It's quite a lengthy and expensive process to get an animal through international borders and there are usually NO EXCEPTIONS to the copious list of requirements for each nation (and they're all different!). And we all know how pleasant customs officials are when you're doing something out of the norm...

Having just finished the process of getting MY dog approved for international overseas travel, I'm almost certain that your dog will have to be vaccinated for at least Rabies. I was getting approval for travel to England, which has one of the most strict policies regarding animal import. Oscar had to be microchipped, AGAIN (he already had a US chip, but European readers won't read a US chip, so he had to get ANOTHER one). A Rabies titer was done, followed by SIX MONTHS of in home "quarantine" (which just meant he couldn't travel over that time - he didn't have to stay in a kennel ). Lots of paperwork had to be signed by his vet, then by an official, government approved USDA veterinarian for our state. Days before he could travel he'd need to be wormed and given flea and tick treatment, and a physical....

I can't speak to hazards of the African environment, but that's my experience with the pet travel angle.

Best of luck with your move!

~Natalya

Thanks for everyone's input...

I agree with Will regarding the bribery part.. With or without dogs, you will be bluntly *asked* for the money!! When I onece chose to refuse, they made things difficult by searching my stuff and giving me a hard time..
I can only imagine their delight when someone comes along with his dog. Luckily, the guy I work for has an airport pass and good connections, so I'm depending on him to get me through customs with minimal trouble. In all cases.. I will have Adolf (My MAL) vaccinated and have his international health certificate ready..
So much for vaccine free
Any ideas on what SPECIFIC vaccines should be given to dogs going to Africa in General... ?
I don't know if the Vet in Lebanon will have any information regarding what specific vaccines are a MUST for African countries..
I'll be going to see a vet here soon to discuss my concerns..

John,
try this government site, it has a list by countries:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/pettravel.html

Hope that helps.......

John, is there some government branch in Benin you can go to and ask what vacs are necessary for your dog? Even if you're answered by word, I'd sure ask for something official in writing for dogs being brought into the country.

Another option, here's a link with the phone/fax numbers of the US Embassy in Cotonou - they may have info for you or at least tell you where you can get the info (there's also a ph# for Benin embassy in the US):
http://www.travmed.com/maps/country.epl?c=Benin

Some advisories on human diseases on that site as well, hope you know about them.

John, I just want to add something to my post above that I think is important. Be sure to keep your dog in your sight at all times, or indoors if you're not going to be home. I don't know anything about Benin, except that I believe voodoo is practiced there, and animals are used for those rituals, including dogs.

You don't want your dog stolen for that horrendous ritualistic practice. I wouldn't make it public knowledge there that I have a dog, like walking him in very public places, etc. In other words, keep a low profile as far as your dog is concerned.

Well, I lived in Ghana for ten years. Where in Benin are you going? Lome?


I'll tell you one thing: COMPLETE ALL YOUR VACCINATIONS! Veterinary care is basic and infectious disease, whether endemic or become established thanks to stupid ex-pats who've falsified their vaccination records (nobody's going to do titre-testing to check, don't worry about that) is virulent. If you don't think your dog has the immune system for that, rehome it.

Two: be extremely diligent about endo- and ecto-parasite control.

Three: learn to make your own dog food from scratch from what's available fresh locally. Aflatoxin-poisoning from sacks of dog food painstakingly imported and then gone sliiiiightly mouldy in the heat and humidity is no joke. Seriously consider cooking meat: meat inspection services are brutally underfunded and as mentioned before veterinary services to pull your dog out of trouble are basic.

Four: your dog will get ill -- or at least out of sorts -- until he acclimatises. Finding a good vet who makes house calls is a good thing.

Five: this will be a lot less of a concern if you're living in a built-up area, but snakes and dogs really don't mix and nobody is 'wasting' anti-venom on a dog. Limit romps in long grass.

Six: this goes without saying, but be a good dog neighbour to everyone. Things people hate about dogs and the owners who let it happen turn out to be universal. It helps though, that the notion that one ought to be able to walk up to a strange dog and expect it to be friendly isn't one you'll have a problem with.


Caveats notwithstanding, have a great time and no, there's no reason why it should shorten your dog's life. I've seen quite a few dogs live into their teens -- so long as they did not require extensive veterinary support to do so.

Great links Will and Sandy, very informative.. I did have my secretarty call the airport and all they "said" was you need the dog's international health certificate and vaccinations up-to-date..

The place where I live is a relatively safe complex and security guards on all exits.. It's relatively safe.. regarding what I'll be feeding him.. This is my concern... Adolf has been a RAW food pup since I got him from the breeder. I was considering cooking the meats cause , I'm not too sure if the meat will be safe raw.

I'm actually in Cotonou - Benin.. Lome is actually in the neighboring country of Togo

GOOD NEWS: .. while out with my neighbor and his dog for a (dog socialization meeting).. on our way back home.. I saw a beautiful Black GSD... looks a lot like Ed's CJ.. I asked the guy walking the dog if I could pet him.. Turns out the the dog had a tatoo and he had been imported into Benin.. So, I asked about the owner, I'll try to meet him sometime this week to ask about how he imported his dog..



Thanks everyone for the ideas..