PETS: Dogs, cats and ferrets
Health and welfare of your pet abroad
You should be aware that if you take your pet out of the UK, it may be
exposed to diseases which we do not have in the UK, e.g. diseases transmitted
by the bite of ticks, and parasites such as heartworm and tapeworm. It
will have no natural immunity to such diseases and may therefore be more
likely to succumb to them. Some of these disease can affect humans.
We strongly recommend that you consult your vet about your pet’s
fitness to travel before you take your pet abroad. Depending on where
you are going, your vet may be able to advise you on preventative treatments,
on any other precautions you need to take and how to look for signs of
ill health in your pet.
If your pet shows signs of illness after returning from abroad, explain
where it has been so that your vet can consider the possibility of an
illness not normally found in the UK. A scheme called DACTARI
(Dog and Cat Travel and Risk Information) has been set up to record the
occurrence of these diseases in dogs and cats. Read about the Scheme to
find out why you should get involved and please remind your vet about
it.
| You should also think about the welfare needs of your pet when travelling abroad, and whether it will benefit from travelling with you.
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Page last modified: December 11, 2006