Dangers of Pets Abroad

Last year when I went to a talk at the local vets about lungworm, the representative mentioned that she believed that the diseases in the UK would change dramatically due to a new law that was introduced on the 1^st January 2012.

This law is in affect to save pet owners hassle and money.  But what effect will it have on the population on the UK’s pets?

The law before the 1^st January 2012 was:

UK Pet Travel Scheme allows cats and dogs to enter the UK from an EU member state or a ‘listed’ 3rd country provided that they are microchipped, have been vaccinated against rabies, have had a blood test to confirm an adequate serological response, and have waited for 6 months after the blood test before entry into the UK. Animals must be treated against ticks and tapeworms 24-48 hours before entry into the UK. All treatments must be recorded in a pet passport or 3rd country veterinary health certificate. Pets from ‘unlisted*’ 3rd countries are required to spend 6 months in quarantine.

*An ‘unlisted’ country is any country not included in the list of EU and non-EU countries that is considered high risk for diseases such as rabies.

The law now:

Dogs, cats and ferrets entering the UK from an EU member state or a ‘listed’ 3rd country will still need to be microchipped and to be vaccinated against rabies. However, a blood test will no longer be required, and the waiting period after vaccination will be reduced to 21 days. Tick treatment will not be required. Dogs entering the UK must have been treated by a veterinary surgeon against tapeworm one to five days previously.

Dogs, cats and ferrets entering the UK from an unlisted 3rd country will no longer be required to spend 6 months in quarantine provided they enter the UK through an approved route and meet the EU entry requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, blood sample at least 30 days after vaccination, and a wait of 3 months after the blood sample). Tapeworm treatment is required as above.

The advantages to the new law:

• ·         It will make going on holiday much more accessible to people who rely on animals for assistance.

• ·         It will also be easier for people who have two houses in different countries to be able travel without the hassle of quarantine.

So what effect will this have to the wider population?

The decrease in cost and hassle of being able to take your pet on holiday with you will invariably encourage many owners to take their pet away with them, which will lead to an increased chance of diseases not currently in the UK to be brought in from other countries.

This will have a serious effect on not only the health of the animals, but also human health.  The vets are struggling as it is to keep up with the mutations of parasites and diseases currently in the UK without new problems coming in from other countries. 

For example; at the moment the UK are trying to stay free from dog tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) which is known to occur in the following countries of Central Europe: Belgium, Luxembourg,  France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany and Poland. “Although [the tapeworm is] relatively benign in dogs, the resulting disease in humans – alveolar echinococcosis – is an invasive, cancer-like cystic stage of the parasite, and is invariably fatal if not treated.”

These are some of the more common diseases that your pet may pick up abroad (and what they are spread by):

• Leishmaniosis (Sandflies)
• Heartworm (Mosquitoes)
• Babesiosis (Ticks)
• Ehrlichiosis (Ticks)
• Echinococcus multilocaris - Tapeworm (small rodents if eaten)
• Rabies (bite/saliva from another infected animal)

  Those of you who follow my blog will remember my post on Schmallenburg in livestock and the devastation that caused in many parts of the UK, that disease is also transferred by mosquitoes so we already know that mosquitoes have the potential to bring disease from Germany to the UK.

And with the law removing the need to have tick treatment to re-enter the UK there is also the potential for babesiosis and ehrlichiosis to be brought in.

 So what is my view?

 My view is that unless it is 100% necessary to take your pet abroad, leave them at home.  It is not worth the risk to your animals health and human health.  Please consult your vet if you have any concerns or queries about travelling abroad with your pet.

for more information on the requirements to take your pet abroad visit: 
https://www.gov.uk/pet-travel-information-for-pet-owners

I have referenced the BSAVA, ESCCAP and DEFRA websites in producing this post.