Paws Journal · 2 November 2026
Illustrative photograph: Yuliia Kucherenko / Unsplash. This is not a dog from the trial.
A beach walk, a shady terrace, your dog asleep beside you: a good holiday is made of small moments. Health planning deserves a place alongside the accommodation search. A new study from Greece gives us a useful reason to think about protection against sand flies before setting off.
Published on 30 October 2026 in Parasites & Vectors, the trial followed 40 young Beagles in a highly endemic area of northeastern Greece. Twenty received an imidacloprid/permethrin spot-on every four weeks during the sand fly season; twenty initially remained untreated. Infection was subsequently confirmed in eight untreated dogs and none of the treated dogs. The exposure phase took place in 2022, followed by monitoring until March 2023.
The randomized study used several laboratory tests, but it examined one product, one breed and one kennel during one transmission season. Clinical examinations were not blinded, although laboratory analyses were. Elanco, the manufacturer of the tested Advantix product, funded the research, and several authors work for the company. The result supports prevention in this setting; it does not promise complete protection for every dog on holiday.
ESCCAP Switzerland recommends choosing prevention with your vet according to the destination, season and individual dog. Combining several products is not automatically better. Discuss swimming, existing treatments and other animals in the household too: permethrin can be fatal to cats. Follow the chosen product’s instructions rather than copying the trial schedule onto another preparation.
For the practical side of your trip:
We want the holiday memories to be about shared paths and sandy paws. A little preparation gives us more room to enjoy them. Our dog does not need to be a fearless explorer or manage every destination. The best trip is the one that suits this companion, with their own needs and pace.
Papadopoulos et al., Parasites & Vectors, published 30 October 2026. Peer-reviewed article in press; the final edited version may change.
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