Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Vets call for clarity on pet travel post-Brexit
Pet travel requirements may change from 1 January 2021.
Government urged to let the profession know as soon as possible.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is calling on the UK government to set out changes to post-Brexit travel rules as soon as possible to help veterinary professionals manage owner demand.

The organisation says that if the UK is granted 'unlisted' status, pet owners may need to see a veterinary surgeon four months ahead of their intended travel date. On Monday (13 July) chancellor Michael Gove announced a new campaign to help the UK prepare for the end of the transition period.

Pet travel requirements may change from 1 January 2021, depending on what status the UK is granted. If the UK receives 'unlisted' status, pets will need to be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies and have a blood test at least 30 days following the vaccination.

Owners will then need to wait a further three months from the date of the successful blood sample before they can travel with their pet. They will also need an animal health certificate setting out the details of the test and results issued by an Official Veterinarian before travel.

Speaking to the Today Programme on Radio 4 on Monday (13 July), BVA president Daniella Dos Santos said: “In order for owners to take their pets abroad, they need to start thinking about it now. If we end up being an unlisted country, cats, dogs and ferrets need to have a rabies vaccine.

“We then need to wait thirty days and take a blood test, then provided the test comes back as a positive titre result you then have to wait three months from the date of sampling to be able to travel freely. In all, that’s a four-month leeway period. If you are thinking of travelling after the transition period ends, I would suggest that you need to speak to your vet soon.”

Ms Santos added that with the effects of COVID-19 and subsequent social distancing measures, pet owners might have to wait longer for an appointment.

“The challenge will be that vet visit. The profession is still reeling, as everyone is, from the effects of COVID and it will take you longer to get an appointment,” she said. “You will absolutely get an appointment, but it just may not be as soon as it would have been before COVID. We are asking the Government to let the veterinary profession know as soon as possible what we need to do.”

If the UK gets categorised as a Part 1 listed or Part 2 listed country, pets would need to be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days ahead of travel and have tapeworm treatment if required. A Part 2 scenario would also require an Animal Health Certificate to be issued no more than ten days ahead of each time you travel.

For government guidance on pet travel to Europe from 1 January 2021, click here

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.