In this month’s article Fulham vet Sarah Ramsey will discuss the changes to the Pet Passport Scheme which were effective from 1st January this year when the UK fell in line with the European Union pet movement rules. Sarah will also discuss preventative health measures you should carry out to protect your pet whilst travelling.

All dogs, cats and ferrets can enter or re-enter the UK without quarantine provided they meet the rules of the Scheme, which are different depending on which country the animal is coming from.  Animals which do not meet all the rules must be liscenced into quarantine. They might then be able to obtain early release if they can be shown to comply with the necessary pet travel.

What you need to do if you are entering the UK from the EU and listed non-EU countries (must be carried out in this order!)

1. Have your pet microchipped.
2. Rabies vaccination. The length of waiting period before you can re-enter the UK is 21 days after the vaccination date. A waiting period if not required for subsequent entries into the UK provided the rabies boosters are kept up to date – this must be BEFORE the date in the passport
3. Get Pet Travel Documentation  - i.e. EU Pet Passport
4. Tapeworm treatment – you must visit a vet 24-120 hours (1-5 days) before your scheduled arrival back into the UK.  They will administer a wormer to treat for tapeworms.  This is because the UK does not have Echinococcus (a type of tapeworm) which can infect humans and cause liver disease that can be fatal. There is now no requirement for tick treatment.
5. Arrange for your animal to travel with an approved transport company on an authorised route

 What you need to do if you are entering the UK from an unlisted non EU country (must be carried out in this order!)

1. Have your pet microchipped.
2. Rabies vaccination.
3. Arrange a blood test.  A blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after vaccination to make sure the vaccine has given your pet a satisfactory level of protection against rabies.  The length of the waiting period before entry into the UK is 3 months from the date of the blood sample which led to a satisfactory result.  The waiting period
4. Get Pet Travel Documentation – i.e. import/export certificates etc.
5. Tapeworm treatment – you must visit a vet 24-120 hours (1-5 days) before your scheduled arrival back into the UK.  They will administer a wormer to treat for tapeworms.  This is because the UK does not have Echinococcus (a type of tapeworm) which can infect humans and cause liver disease and can be fatal.  There is now no requirement for tick treatment.
6. Arrange for your animal to travel with an approved transport company on an authorised route.

A useful resource is the Pet Travel Helpline, they can help with any information for travelling in the EU and listed non EU countries, their telephone number is  08702411710.  Further information on qualifying non EU countries is available on the DEFRA website www.defra.gov.uk and advice on importing and exporting animals is available from your local animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency Divisional Office.  I advise all my clients to also contact the authorities (e.g. the embassy) of the appropriate country they will be travelling to and/or from.  There may be other certificates and requirements you will need to meet before travelling to certain countries; these rules constantly change so always obtain the most up to date information to avoid problems when you are travelling.

Preventative health care for your pet while travelling

Depending on where and when you are travelling you will need to protect your pet against exotic diseases.  Many diseases occurring abroad, but not seen in the UK, are transmitted by biting insects and ticks.  British pets abroad will not have met these diseases before and are likely to be highly susceptible.  Speak to your vet at least month before you intend to travel to discuss what preventative measures you need to take.

1. Babesiosis – This is relatively common in southern and central Europe and is extending further north with climate change and is spread by ticks. When the tick feeds, saliva is injected into the host together with the Babesia organisms, which invade and multiply in red blood cells. Affected animals develop fever, anaemia, weakness, lethargy, weight loss, loss of appetite and red or dark brown  urine. This can be associated with jaundice (yellow gums). Without treatment, death can occur.
2. Ehrlichiosis – is widely distributed throughout the world, including many countries of southern Europe. Symptoms of this disease vary widely and may include depression, fever, swollen glands and bleeding into the eyes, from the nose, into the skin (bruising) and elsewhere. Less common signs include vomiting, nasal discharge, lameness and severe inflammatory changes in the eyes. Chronic infections may progress to chronic debility, weight loss, arthritis and neurological disease including convulsions.
3. Heartworm – is spread by mosquitoes.  Signs of infection usually appear over several months to years depending on the severity of infection. These include weakness during exercise, coughing, weight loss, and occasionally right-sided heart failure or sudden death from lung haemorrhage. Treatment once the dog is infected is difficult and may be associated with side effects.
4. Leishmaniasis – the disease is a protazoan parasite spread by sandflies.  Most common symptoms include dermatitis and skin infection, weight loss and eye, liver and kidney disease. If untreated the disease is fatal and even with therapy affected animals may remain permanently infected. Symptoms can develop from a few months to several years after a visit abroad. Diagnosis can be confirmed by testing blood or tissue samples.
5. Hepatozoonosis – This is a relatively widespread disease of dogs (less commonly cats) with a global distribution in warmer climates, including the countries bordering the Mediterranean.  It is caused by a protozoan parasite and transmitted to dogs by grooming off and swallowing infected ticks.  Many infected dogs do not show signs of disease unless they have other diseases causing immunosuppression. Infection is diagnosed by testing a blood sample. Treatment is difficult and requires access to drugs which may not always be available.

Remember: PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!