Tag Archives: pet

Taking your pet abroad- what diseases might they catch?

Most people know that they can use a passport to travel with their pets to countries within the European Union, and to some countries outside the European union. See DEFRA’s website for further details. http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/

However you may not be aware that there are a number of diseases that can be caught when your pet travels abroad that we do not have in the United Kingdom. The commonest ones are spread by ticks, mosquitoes or sand flies. The British Veterinary Asociation has produced a very useful leaflet outlining the common diseases. The link to the leaflet is

http://www.bva-awf.org.uk/resources/leaflets/

We recommend tick protection can be provided by using Frontline , Sandy Fly prevention with Scalibor, and Heartworm protection with Advocate.

Pet Passport scheme changes

As from 1st January 2012, the requirements for the pet passport scheme changes, for both dogs and cats. Pets will still need to be microchipped and have a rabies vaccination, but will no longer require a blood test for rabies. Pets will need to wait 3 weeks after the rabies vaccination before entering the UK. On return to the UK, pets need to be treated for tapeworm by a veterinary surgeon, 24-120 hours (1-5 days) before embarking for the UK (by ferry or air).

Grant Cochrane

 

Pets travelling to the UK from unlisted countries outside the EU will need to be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, pass a rabies blood test and then wait 3 months in the country of origin. See www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/ for further information about the pet passport scheme and countries included.

Our vets can issue pet passports at our Hounslow and Ealing surgeries. Please see www.youngvets.co.uk for contact details.