Rabies

Rabies is a dangerous killer disease of animals and humans.  It has been eradicated from the UK, but remains a constant threat from infected animals abroad and there was recently a confirmed case in Southwest France.  To minimise the risk of Rabies, all pets must have a Rabies vaccination and blood test to ensure their immunity is adequate before a passport can be issued.  Please ensure adequate time. It normally takes approximately 7 months from start of the process before they can re-enter the UK.  

It is essential that you check with embassies of the country and any countries through which you are travelling, along with the travel section on the DEFRA website before you travel.

An outline of the procedure

– check for specific details with your travel company and DEFRA:

Day 1
      Identity microchip implanted or scanned.  Rabies vaccination administered.
      
Day  21-28
      Blood sample to measure the response to the vaccination.  It is sent to an official laboratory,

Day 45 (approximately)
      A certificate is issued by the official laboratory.  If the immune response is adequate, a PETS passport can be issued by your veterinary surgeon

6 months after successful blood test:
      The pet may re-enter the UK, as long as the pet has not been outside authorized countries in the previous 6 months before re-entry to the UK, and you travel by an authorised route with an authorised travel company.

24-48 hours before re-entry to the UK
      Treatment against ticks and worms must be administered by an official veterinary surgeon.

Other health risks when travelling

Heartworm - monthly worming with a suitable product, starting before you enter the risk areas, and continuing for a month after you return home.

Tick borne diseases – carried by ticks during attachment to skin and blood feeding.  These diseases affect the blood cells and can be fatal.  More common ones are Ehrlichiosis and Babesiosis. Spot-on treatment with a tick-repelling treatment, done monthly minimises the risk of ticks attaching and transmitting the disease.

Biting fly–borne diseases – Leishmania.
A repellent collar may help and keep your pet indoors during dusk.

Heatstroke

Be aware that there may be extremes of temperatures to which your pet is unacclimatised.  Ensure also that you do not over-exert your pets in hot spells and make sure you supply plenty of fresh drinking water.

Comfort during the journey

Ensure that your pet will have adequate access to water and food if necessary during the trip, that the container is appropriate and that there will be no extremes of temperature.