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Travelling with your Pet

Support and guidance on travelling with your pet

We can provide your pet with all the necessary documents they need to travel.

Pease note: you should begin the process of acquiring pet travel documents for the EU & Ireland AT LEAST ONE MONTH before you are due to leave.

For travel further afield (e.g Australia, New Zealand etc) there are a number of hoops to jump through and the process can take up to 12 months before you are able to depart. Please give us a call on 01784 436364 to book an appointment with one of our experienced vets to discuss the process and timeline for these more complex exports.

There are a number of things your pet requires before they travel. These include (but are not limited to):

  • A microchip
  • A rabies vaccination – one injection from 12 weeks of age will usually protect your pet for up to 3 years 
  • A health assessment – one of our vets will thoroughly assess your companion ensuring they’re in great shape, up to date with parasite control and have no conditions they could pass on to other animals
  • A export / animal health certificate (EHC or AHC) – the vet will complete this once they are satisfied your pet meets all of the requirements to travel.
  • Click here to see our price list 

The issuing vets will go through the validity and terms of any certificates you are issued with - our receptionists may also ask quite a few questions at the time of booking the appointment: this is just to ensure we give you the correct certification for your pet and your journey.

For more information about pet travel, you can visit the DEFRA website or call their helpline on 08702 411710.

It is extremely important you are aware of the diseases your pet is at risk of when they travel abroad. For that reason, we have provided some information on Travel  Precautions.

Travel Precautions

Educate yourself about the risks posed to your pet abroad so you can travel safely

When travelling abroad, your pet could be at risk of developing a disease that we don’t have in the UK

For that reason, we have put together some information so you can educate yourself about the conditions your pet could be susceptible to.

At Pets1st we strongly recommend that you speak with a member of our team before taking your pet abroad so that they can inform you of any additional precautions you should take.

Heartworm

Heartworm

Heartworm is most prevalent in Spain, Italy, Southern France and the Mediterranean. Heartworm larvae (baby worms) are transmitted to dogs via mosquito bites and will make their way to your pet’s heart where they will grow into adult worms.

If untreated, heartworm can cause heart failure.

Killing an adult heartworm can be life threatening to your pet, so it is essential that treatment to kill the larvae is administered. If your pet has travelled abroad before they MUST be tested for heartworm before medication is administered.

The most popular treatments for Heartworm include:

  • Stronghold or Advocate spot on treatment – this is administered every 4 weeks from the beginning of your holiday until at least 4 weeks after your return
  • Milbemax worming tablets – this is administered every 4 weeks from 2 weeks into your holiday until at least 4 weeks after your return

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is an incurable wasting disease that is spread by sand-flies. Sand-flies are most commonly found in Mediterranean countries and between May and September (sand-fly season) your dog could be bitten up to 100 times per hour.

  • Avoid areas that are known for sand-flies when they are most active; dawn and dusk
  • Use a ‘Scalibor protector collar’ – this is like a flea collar but contains a different drug which repels ticks and sand-flies for up to 6 months
  • Use ‘Advantix’ spot on treatment every 4 weeks which repels ticks and sand-flies

Tick Borne Diseases

Tick Borne Diseases

There are a number of serious diseases which are spread by tick bites. These include: Babesiosis, Monocytic Ehrlichiosis, Granulocytic Anaplasmosis and Borreliosis. It is therefore extremely important that you prevent ticks from biting your pet. You can do this by:

  • Using Advantix spot on monthly, PLUS Milbemax tablets from 2 weeks into your holiday, every 4 weeks until at least a month after your return

OR

  • Using a Scalibor protector collar PLUS Advocate monthly

For further information about travelling with your pet please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of friendly, professional nurses have a wealth of experience when it comes to advising pet owners about travelling safely with their companions.