So you want to show Fido around Fulham?

Written by Riviera Reporter

A lot of Brits here have dogs and to travel back to the UK with their pooch they must get a dog’s passport – otherwise it’s six months in quarantine. We asked local vet Dr Nigel Gittins to explain:
The theory behind the Pet Travel Scheme – which also covers cats and ferrets – is relatively simple. An animal identified by microchip is vaccinated against rabies, then a month later a blood sample is taken and tested for rabies antibodies.

There is no scientific process to distinguish between rabies antibodies stimulated by the actual disease in incubation, and the antibodies due to the vaccine. Hence the six month wait in continental Europe. Scientifically, any animal still in good health after six months must therefore harbour antibodies stimulated by the vaccine, as any animal in incubation for rabies would have died from the disease.

Here are the main points of the Pet Travel Scheme:
- Identify the animal by microchip
- Vaccinate the animal against rabies
- One month later, take a blood sample which will be tested in a designated laboratory for rabies antibodies. Assuming the blood test is satisfactory, a six month wait is necessary before the animal may travel.
- Not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before travelling the animal must be examined and treated by a qualified veterinary surgeon.

All this must be registered in an official European Pet Passport. For additional information your local veterinary surgeon is the person to consult.

From Riviera Reporter Issue 125: Feb/March 2008