PETS: What vets need to do - dogs and cats
Treatment against ticks and tapeworms
Before entering or re-entering the UK under PETS, dogs and cats must be treated by a vet against ticks and the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis.
Vets in the UK will need to administer this treatment to animals leaving the UK on short trips when it must be given before departure to meet the following timing requirement.
The treatment must be carried out not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before the pet is checked-in with the approved transport company to travel on the return journey to the UK. The treatment must be given every time a pet enters the UK.
The Swedish Authorities do not require cats or dogs to be treated for ticks and tapeworms if they are being imported directly into Sweden by boat or air from the UK or Ireland.
Treatment
The animal’s microchip number must be read before treatment and match the number in section III of the passport or third country official veterinary certificate.
The tapeworm treatment must contain praziquantel and be administered in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
The tick treatment must be a veterinary product which has marketing authorisation in the country of use and is licensed for use against ticks. A tick collar is not acceptable.
Completing the documentation
Sections VI and VII of the pet passport or third country official veterinary certificate must be completed to certify that the tick and tapeworm treatment has been administered.
For the EU pet passport
Sections VI & VII must show:
- The manufacturer and name of product
- Date & time of treatment (using the 24 hour clock)
- Practice stamp & signature of veterinarian
For the third country official veterinary certificate
Sections VI & VII must show:
- The manufacturer and name of product
- Date & time of treatment (using the 24 hour clock)
- Name and address of veterinarian
- Signature, date and practice stamp of veterinarian
Dogs and cats travelling with a PETS certificate
Only dogs and cats travelling with a PETS certificate (in the UK it is called a PETS 1) require an official certificate of treatment (in the UK it is called a PETS 2).
You must record:
- the pet’s microchip number
- the date and time of treatment (using the 24 hour clock)
- the products used
You must also sign, date and stamp the certificate with the practice stamp.
Vets in the UK can continue to issue tick and tapeworm certificates (PETS 2) for dogs and cats with valid PETS certificates travelling on day trips to any listed country.
Vets in other EU countries, and in non-EU listed countries, can continue to issue tick and tapeworm certificates for animals with valid PETS certificates travelling to the UK.
Animals will fail the PETS check if their documentation is not in order.
Pet owners are encouraged to make sure that these details are correctly
recorded before they leave your surgery.
Page last modified: March 20, 2008