Pet Passports
Many of our clients at Aireworth Vets have taken advantage of the Pet Travel Scheme so they can take their pets abroad. To prepare your pet to travel under the scheme the first time, you need to get ready at least 8 months before you travel.
All pets must be microchipped, vaccinated, tested and then provided with official paperwork (a passport), pets also require some treatment for ticks and worm shortly before returning to the UK, so you will also have to make an appointment with a Vet in the country you are visiting.
To qualify for the scheme your pet must meet certain conditions. These are listed below:
1. Microchip: The pet must have a permanent microchip implanted (this must be in place before vaccination) which ideally should meet ISO specifications so that it can be read by any standard microchip reader.
2. Vaccination: The pet must be vaccinated against rabies (not before it is 3 months old) using an approved vaccine, two vaccines 3 weeks apart. Be aware that some countries require more frequent rabies vaccination than that recommended on the vaccine manufacturers data sheet - it is therefore important to check the requirements of the destination country.
3. Blood sample: The pet must have a blood sample taken 30 days later and this must be tested in an approved laboratory. Your pet cannot be brought into the UK until 6 months after the successful blood sample was taken.
4. Paperwork: Your pet must have an EU pet passport signed by an official veterinary surgeon confirming that these conditions have been met. Remember that some countries may have other requirements before admitting you pet so it is vital to check before you travel. This should not apply to EU countries except Ireland and Sweden (and UK).
5. Up to 48 hours before your return to the UK your pet must be treated for ticks and tapeworm (in particular the fox tapeworm) by an authorised Vet.
Full details about the Pet Travel scheme can be found on the DEFRA Animal Health website.
Other Travel Tips
Our Vets and Nurses can offer lots of advice about keeping your pets safe, comfortable and calm when travelling. We stock a range of carrying cages and harnesses and can also suggest products to help your dog or cat travel stress-free.
There are several nasty Tavel Bugs that you might want advice about. Aireworth Vets can offer your pets protection from all of these.
Heartworm
As the name suggests, this worm lives in the chambers of the heart and the great vessels. It is transmitted by mosquitoes and is common in southern europe especially southern France, Spain, Italy and around the Mediterranean. British dogs are particularly susceptible to this disease since having never encountered it, therefore have no resistance. In Britain, a handful of cases are diagnosed each year - normally in imported dogs. There can be a time-lapse between infection and symptoms. In some cases it can be years before signs become apparent. Once a dog has developed heartworm, the outlook is pretty grim so prevention is essential.
Leishmaniasis
This disease occurs particularly around the Mediterranean and infection occurs in summer between May and September. However, as summers become warmer the risk of the disease comes from further and further north.
Leishmaniasis is carried from dog to dog by a microscopic parasite spread by sand fly bites. Signs include weight loss, enlarged glands, skin problems and chronic renal failure. Leishmania can also be caught by humans so it's well worth getting protection for your pets. The sandfly may not be seen to bite the dog and the incubation period can vary from a few weeks to several years. If you are visiting a country where the disease is prevalent, help protect your dog from sand flies for the whole of the season, a special collar is available which also controls infestation with ticks for 5-6 months.
Babesiosis
This is a serious tick-borne disease which destroys red blood cells and only affects dogs. Signs include fever, anaemia, blood in the urine and jaundice and susceptible dogs can die within a day or two of the appearance of signs. British dogs are particularly susceptible to this and other diseases found in mainland Europe since having never encountered them, they have no resistance. Proper treatment for ticks is vital for stopping infection from developing, check your pets coat every day, while abroad and at home.
Ehrlichiosis
This is another tick-borne disease presently unknown in Britain. It is prevalent in southern Europe, round the Mediterranean, the Rhone valley and in Finland. Signs include fever, severe depression, weight loss, anaemia, swollen glands and in the later stages there are haemorrhages including nose bleeds. Again prevention is aimed at preventing ticks from infecting your pet.