PET TRAVEL SCHEME

Started in 2000, it enables the travel of dogs, cats and ferrets between listed qualifying countries after conforming to the requirements.

1. Identification
   The animal must be identichipped
2. Vaccination
   The animal is vaccinated against rabies. To show adequate immunity a blood test is taken 1 month later and sent to a recognised laboratory.
3. 6 months waiting
   To ensure the antibody result is due to vaccination and not disease, the animal must wait in a qualifying country.
4. Prevention
   DEFRA requires the application of tick and tapeworm treatments by a resident vet 24-48 hours before travelling into Great Britain. These are specific treatments that must be time and dated, signed and stamped at the relevant pages of the passport.

Where does it go wrong?

Step 4 is outside the control of the Practice. A resident vet must treat the animal and sign pages VI and VII. The treatment must contain praziquantel for tapeworm. Tick collars are not acceptable. This must be 24 -48 hours prior to travel into UK. An hour either side is not allowed and is not negotiable.

Travelling into the UK before 6 months after the blood test will not be allowed. Section V must be signed dated and stamped.

Microchip failure, take every opportunity to check its working when visiting vets. If it fails, it must be removed and sent to the manufacturer to confirm failure; and a new microchip implanted at the time of surgery. Details up dated in passport. A declaration is then made in section XI by the vet of these facts.

Not following the rules will mean starting all over again.

The other area of confusion is in the difference between British and European figures. The 7 and 1 can be confused.
Do not import dogs listed under the Dangerous Dog Act. American Bulldogs, American Staffordshire or Irish Staffordshire Bull Terriers are similar to 'pit bull types'.

Further clarification can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/domestic/dogs.htm

A full government explanation can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm

Health risk for dogs

Basically the warmer the area of Europe you are travelling to, the greater the variety of blood bourn diseases endemic there. This is the reason behind the tick treatment before returning to Britain. To stop infection-carrying ticks enter the country.

Lyme disease - caused by the spirochaete, Borrelia burgdorferi. This is already present in the UK and spread by ticks. A lot of dogs have been exposed, but show no clinical signs. The signs can be fever, shifting lameness, lethargy and enlarged lymph nodes. Possibly meningitis or kidney failure.

Babesiosis - caused by protozoan. It lives inside red blood cells resulting in a haemolytic anaemia. Severe form will cause hypovolaemic shock, multiple organ failure and death. It is spread by ticks.

Ehrlichiosis - caused by a rickettsia. Spread by the Brown Dog tick (which is well-adapted to kennels, houses and cars). The signs can be intermittent fever, enlarged lymph nodes, bleeding, weight loss, severe eye disease and destruction of the bone marrow.

Leishmaniasis - protozoa. Spread by Sand flies. Signs can occur within a few months to several years! They include skin lesions, loss of weight, enlarged lymph nodes, eye damage, nose bleeds, lameness, anaemia, kidney failure and/or diarrhoea

Heart worm - Filarial nematode, Dirofilaria immitis, spread by mosquito bite. The juvenile parasite migrates from the bite to the right side of the heart where they grow up to a foot long.

PREVENTION

A suggested treatment plan for travel to Europe for a 4 week trip.

• Four weeks before travel apply a spot-on that kills fleas, some worms and heartworm. This lasts until arrival in Europe.
• Three weeks prior to travel worm with an effective treatment against all tapeworms and roundworms.
• A week before travel, apply a spot-on that kills fleas and ticks, but also repels ticks, biting flies and mosquitoes. This product may kill cats.
• Arrival in Europe. Reapply the first spot-on that protects against heart worm. Keep your pets inside during the active period for biting flies. Avoid the worst areas- take local advice.
• Week two of holiday. Reapply the tick repellent spot-on drops. This is sooner than required for flea treatment, but will maintain the high effectiveness of the product.
• Week three of holiday. Relax.
• Week Four of holiday. Attend a registered vet to have the tick and tapeworm treatments given. Ensure that they sign, time and date stamp your dogs passport. Arrive at UK Port 24-48 hours later with dog and documents in hand
• One week after return, reapply the heartworm treatment.
• Four weeks after return , reapply the tick treatment
• Five weeks after return reapply the heartworm treatment.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE COME INTO THE PRACTICE AND WE WILL TALK YOU THROUGH IT.