Driving from Bilbao

Hi done that trip many many times with a large dog.we find it is no problem at all to do the drive in one day.the roads are much better than uk roads.very rare they are full apart from rush hour in Madrid.much more relaxed driving also many many service stations and lots of room to walk your dog.what we find is it is much better for the dog if you put him on the back seat becuase even with air con it can get very hot in back of car or even in back of estate car.we stop about 4/5 times to freshen up and of course the dog to do what ever they want to do.i know you may have taking advice on this but we put a seresto collar on him and still do the flea drops and one major thing when you get there get leshsomois injection for the dog.they do a blood test then after 20/30 mins later if it is clear give him a jab and another one a few weeks after.this is a major thing in Spain a not very nice disease for your dog to get.i don't think you can get it done in the uk but it may be better if you ask around and a vet might be able to order it for you.good luck

Thank you very much for the information and advice in your message.  All very useful to me.

I have heard about the disease you mention and must investigate a bit more about it.  I have had him rabies injected in March but must look at this other preventative measure before I go to Soain.  I am going no-where at the moment, for at least another 10 weeks, so plenty if time to do so!

Thanks again.  

Debra x

Thx for the Reply,if you go onto the Internet it will give all the info on this disease.i am sure if you will be able to find a vet who could order it in for you before you go to Spain.that is to us the biggest thing to worry about having a dog in Spain.goid luck

Hi Debra

We have driven from both Santander and Bilbao to CdS and return several times a year with our dog. Like the previous post we also do it in one day, being mindful of arrival time in port when booking the crossing. We prefer to avoid Madrid and travel via Salamanca to Seville then across to Malaga. Traffic is light and the road surfaces are mainly excellent. The route avoids all city centres (except Seville) but with a satnav it's easily navigated. Under "normal" circumstances there are plenty of places to take a break, refuel etc. It takes us about 10 hours staying largely within the speed limits.

Sorry, can't advise on accommodation - we tried it on the first trip and dogolino was NOT happy.

Good luck and hope the restrictions are lifted soon

Jinty

Thank you very much for your message.

I am feeling quite anxious at the moment because of the Coroba Virus and the restrictions this is imposing.  Hey ho, it's a virus and doesn't know any better!

I am considering, since recent developments with France mentioned in our travel/border news, going on the channel tunnel and taking a leisurely drive from France into Spain.  I feel, in July, this maybe more feasible.

Anyone out there done this trip, with a dog, to inland Costa del Sol?  Probably nobody as crazy as me, but I wouldn't consider if the virus didn't exist!

Regards

Debra and Cockerpoo George

Hello again i have done this trip tunnel or ferry port in France with my dog in which I also did pet transport.it is a very long trip and with the heat in July .i would recommend using the ferry to bilbao or santander.in France they are very pet friendly more so to pets then to us Brits. I hope you have booked your crossing because if you have not there will be no chance of getting your(pet) on board to Spain.remember you are talking about over 1500 miles of driving in the heat of summer.like the last post we don't find it a problem doing it in 1 day.we find it less stressful for the dog also.in anycase enjoy your trip down to your destination which ever route you take.

Thanks again.  I will and am having  to consider so much now travel is not certain, but I appreciate as many bits of advice I receive.

Regards

Debra and George

Hi folks.

When considering getting my dog vaccinated against the Leishmaneasis disease, has anyone had their dog vaccinated in Spain when they got there?

Just thinking it might be less expensive to get him to wear the appropriate collar to get to Spain, then get a vet  in Spain to do the vaccinations, of which there are 3 I have read.  I just think it could be very expensive to get them in the UK, seeing as though we don't do these routinely in the UK?

Any experiences in this respect would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Debra and George (Cockerpoo)