Chiang Mai and pets

[TallScot1]

Hi all! I'm new to the forum. I currently live in Western North Carolina, USA. I will soon retire and am interested in relocating to Chiang Mai. I have a small dog<11 lbs> and would love any input members may have on how difficult it would be for me to rent an apartment if I bring my friend with me. Also interested in any information on veterinary services in Chiang Mai. Thank you and I hope to meet many of you online in the near future. All best! 

[bkk6060]

Many of the newer condo/apts have a no pet policy.  I am sure there those that will allow.  Rim Ping Condo comes to mind but search online.

Also, many Vets here but the University is one of the better places.

There are some restrictions on bringing dogs here so make sure you know about them.

[neeray]

Like bkk6060 pointed out, lots of pet care available in CM, and at much lower cost than what y'all used to.

This sounds like an in house dog (by size). If taking it outside, there are many perils; soi dogs, fleas, ticks, critters of all sorts in grass/vegetation areas.

I have not taken my mid size (20 kg) dog to Thailand yet but I will. My first concern is the 24 to 30 hour transit time, in my case, dog in cargo, in your case at 11 lb, it would probably be on board with you. I assume that you have checked into all of this.

Mine, by breed, is a hunting dog, thus, her nose is into everything, and she's a scrounger and will eat anything, thus, foreign food and critters are a big concern in my case.

 

Welcome to the forum. And welcome to CM, home of my partner and obviously, my retirement destination point.

[elektrified]

There is excellent veterinary care here!

 

The main thing you have to be careful of is checking your dog almost daily for ticks. The ticks are everywhere here especially during the hot season, and they are unlike the ticks you may find in North America. Here, they carry a parasite which infects the dog's blood. The dog will become extremely ill and ultimately die if not treated (especially if it is older and has a weaker immune system).

 

We would let our dogs out for 15 minutes and they would come back with 25+ ticks each in such a short time.

 

You need to always have a vial of Ivermectin and some syringes around. Rather than taking your dog to the vet for a blood test every time you find ticks to see if it has the blood parasite, you can assume it does and treat it yourself by giving an injection. I forget how long it lasts - perhaps a few weeks. There are some tablets that should be given as well. I forget the name of them but the vet will supply them. They will kill the ticks that jump aboard while the dog is being treated with Ivermectin. Otherwise you could find yourself traveling to the vet every month.

 

Plenty of rentals allow pets, no worries there.

[NancyL]

I don't know how much running around in the fields and woods an 11 pound dog is going to do, so tick exposure may not be a big concern.  I had a friend who brought over a small Yorkie only to see it torn to shreds by soi dogs on a walk outside the condo building.  Very traumatic to see your beloved pet die within weeks of going to all the effort to bring her with you to start your retirement.

 

I know many Thai people who train their small house dogs to "go" on puppy pads rather than risk taking them outside.  Some shopkeepers I know delight in showing me the nice clean paws of their dogs, explaining they've never touched dirt in their lives.  

 

 

[TallScot1]

Thank you for your advice. My friend is a Chihuahua. It sounds like I would be taking him to some tough streets if the soi dogs are prevalent. Would these gangsters attack while a dog is being walked on a leash???

[EricTh]

9 hours ago, TallScot1 said:

Thank you for your advice. My friend is a Chihuahua. It sounds like I would be taking him to some tough streets if the soi dogs are prevalent. Would these gangsters attack while a dog is being walked on a leash???

Most condo (if not all) don't allow pets because they can be a nuisance to people inside the lift, barking inside condo when your neighbour is trying to sleep etc.

 

I suggest you rent a house instead of a condo, Thai houses usually have a garden.

 

Yes, street dogs do bark at other dogs. I've seen near dog fights in the past.

[sfokevin]

11 hours ago, TallScot1 said:

Would these gangsters attack while a dog is being walked on a leash?

A Soi dog is not going to cut your dog any slack for being on a leash... In his mind you are infringing on his territory and will be attacked... You could get a pet bag carrier to transport him to a safe walking place but these are few and far between... Curious does the park on the SW corner of the moat allow you to walk dogs?... or that small park that runs from that corner to Airport Plaza?...

[TallScot1]

Thanks again for the advice. I'll have to reconsider the move while I still have my little guy. He's pretty tough and I rescued him as a street dog in Dallas, tx...Chiang Mai streets may be a bit tougher than his now domesticated self is prepared for!

[Dante99]

6 hours ago, TallScot1 said:

Thanks again for the advice. I'll have to reconsider the move while I still have my little guy. He's pretty tough and I rescued him as a street dog in Dallas, tx...Chiang Mai streets may be a bit tougher than his now domesticated self is prepared for!

Lots of places without soi dogs plus you can just pick up your dog if others are bothering it.  Really, not a big problem.  Problem is others overstating the soi dog issue, it is just their drama.  I go for  years without any soi dog issue as do many if not most people.

[elektrified]

3 hours ago, Dante99 said:

Lots of places without soi dogs plus you can just pick up your dog if others are bothering it.  Really, not a big problem.  Problem is others overstating the soi dog issue, it is just their drama.  I go for  years without any soi dog issue as do many if not most people.

Likewise, never had any issues with soi dogs. Had a couple chase me on my bicycle a couple of times but they were more interested in the reflectors on the wheels going around and not trying to bite. Really not an issue, much overstated. But of course use caution and pick the little dog up if you don't know the area. Many Thais and foreigners around where I live have Chihuahuas, small poodles, etc. Not a problem. Bring your dog, he will be fine.

 

The ticks are a bigger problem.

[sfokevin]

6 hours ago, Dante99 said:

Problem is others overstating the soi dog issue, it is just their drama

Yeah just overstated drama... 

 

 

[Trujillo]

Agree with previous post about not having pets in condos. 

 

I'm curious; you want to retire to Chiang Mai but it sounds like you have never even been here. I think a trip to investigate would be in order before you think of making the leap. April might be a good month to come have a look ????

 

[elektrified]

15 minutes ago, sfokevin said:

Yeah just overstated drama... 

 

 

I haven't looked at the link but presume it's the story that was on the news in Phuket a day or two ago? I also saw all of the photos that the EMS posted on their FB page. Yes, it happens and can happen anywhere at anytime. But suffice to say that an attack like that is rare.

[sfokevin]

2 hours ago, elektrified said:

But suffice to say that an attack like that is rare.

If you were walking your dog or riding your motorcycle down a quiet Soi and saw 4-5 dogs lying on the street ahead - would you say you are rarely about to be in danger?...

[jak2002003]

13 minutes ago, sfokevin said:

If you were walking your dog or riding your motorcycle down a quiet Soi and saw 4-5 dogs lying on the street ahead - would you say you are rarely about to be in danger?...

I have 2 chihuahuas and just lost my poodle mix breed dog to old age.

 

I take them for 2 walks very day... they run for miles.... even tiny dogs are not really happy to live indoors all their lives.  Mine run free through the forest, rice fields and run along side my push bike (on leads).

 

My smallest Chihuahua is so tiny.. yet she is the boss of all the street dogs on our road... she will put them in their place if they get too annoying.  

 

There is a huge scary looking street dog who I joke is their bodyguard.  He will join us on our walks to he knows all the houses where an angry dog lives and will run up ahead and warn them off.

 

In 11 years living here, and walking the dogs nearly every single day in many places we have never had other dogs attack ours.  

 

It all depends on how socialised you dog is.  If it's not used to other dogs it won't be able to read the dog body language and social signals and may be into trouble.

 

The only time my poodle got into a serious fight was at a farang friends house when his pedigree lab dog got jealous of its own petting my dog and really went for it.

 

 

[sfokevin]

28 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

My smallest Chihuahua is so tiny.. yet she is the boss of all the street dogs on our road... she will put them in their place if they get too annoying.  

Your forest Chihuahua wouldn’t last 5 minute on the sois of Santitham... 

[lannarebirth]

I wouldn't worry about bringing a dog of any size to Chiang Mai. As a precaution use a walking staff. A 5' length of bamboo or a handle to a garden tool work nicely. Have never needed to use either one. In my experience soi dogs are pretty clever. They respect the wood.

[Poopyface]

On 1/27/2019 at 9:39 PM, TallScot1 said:

It sounds like I would be taking him to some tough streets if the soi dogs are prevalent. Would these gangsters attack while a dog is being walked on a leash???

A dog on a leash is at a distinct disadvantage in a dog fight. They are going to be more on guard and edgy which other dogs will pick right up on.

I'd keep a dog that small indoors at all times unless you find the right community for it.

 

I'm surprised noone has mentioned the prevalence of rabies here yet...

[jak2002003]

On ‎1‎/‎29‎/‎2019 at 4:02 PM, sfokevin said:

Your forest Chihuahua wouldn’t last 5 minute on the sois of Santitham... 

Maybe not... but its got a sporting chance I think.

 

There are big packs of dogs around there..... some are huge.  Many will bark and chase bikes and people, and I have been bitten by a coupe over the years, requiring hospital treatment and anti rabies jabs.  Last week a bunch of the dogs went out into the rice fields behind my house and ripped apart a live cat.  A couple years ago a pack killed a half grown calf.

 

I think with dogs its not the size that matters, but the attitude.  A confident dog which is not nervous, or aggressive is kind of assertive and this relaxes or diffuses potential situations where dogs might get into a fight.

 

 

[TallScot1]

I do plan to visit before making a final decision. I have several friends who lived there for a time that recommended the area. None of them were there with pets. Again, thanks to everyone for offering your experience based opinions! 

[NCC1701A]

On 1/29/2019 at 4:48 PM, hyku1147 said:

Because they can not detect any fear;

which is why i have never had a problem in five years.

 

not easy for everyone. it is like meditation. 

[NCC1701A]

24 minutes ago, TallScot1 said:

I do plan to visit before making a final decision.

imagine every photo you have seen without photo shop.

 

Blade Runner meets Mad Max.

[jabis]

On 1/27/2019 at 2:35 PM, elektrified said:

There is excellent veterinary care here!

 

The main thing you have to be careful of is checking your dog almost daily for ticks. The ticks are everywhere here especially during the hot season, and they are unlike the ticks you may find in North America. Here, they carry a parasite which infects the dog's blood. The dog will become extremely ill and ultimately die if not treated (especially if it is older and has a weaker immune system).

 

We would let our dogs out for 15 minutes and they would come back with 25+ ticks each in such a short time.

 

You need to always have a vial of Ivermectin and some syringes around. Rather than taking your dog to the vet for a blood test every time you find ticks to see if it has the blood parasite, you can assume it does and treat it yourself by giving an injection. I forget how long it lasts - perhaps a few weeks. There are some tablets that should be given as well. I forget the name of them but the vet will supply them. They will kill the ticks that jump aboard while the dog is being treated with Ivermectin. Otherwise you could find yourself traveling to the vet every month.

 

Plenty of rentals allow pets, no worries there.

I use either Bravecto (Fluralaner) or Frontline plus (fipronil and (S)-methoprene) to get rid of them for 12 weeks at a time, then just have a reminder in calendar to renew.
I prefer Bravecto, as it was a little cheaper, and had good reviews from peers. When local vet was out of them, could just order another batch from lazada, for a reasonable price (~฿500 for 1000mg chewable pill = peace of mind for 12 weeks for 20-40kg dogs).
Earlier with my (40kg) dog had hundreds and hundreds of ticks closing toward the rainy season, now 0. Both of the aforementioned go to the oil glands of the dog, and then "self administer" the active ingredient thru hair follicles, killing any and all pests and larvae that come in contact *before* biting the dog ????  

EDIT: Tried every and all local solutions and most just seemed to push the ticks to areas where the liquids could not get (between paws, nails, arse, joints etc), and was of no use. Pictured a semi-daily saldo of them before bravecto: 

And here 2 days after Bravecto, the last remnants dead already, combed with a flea comb: