Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Rabies Blood Tests and Pet Passports

The Pet Travel Scheme is changing from 1st January 2012, so that dogs and cats originating in the UK will no longer need to have a blood test after their rabies vaccine to show that they have responded to the vaccine.

All in the name of EU harmonisation, and it certainly will make the process of getting a passport for your pet much easier and quicker.

HOWEVER, the official UK government laboratory that runs these blood tests confirms that 4-5% of pets FAIL their first blood tests, meaning that IF the blood tests are no longer to be required, there are potentially going to be thousands of dogs, with passports, and able to travel internationally, who might not be protected against the devastating and fatal disease of rabies.

Not good.

For the moment, therefore, we are still recommending that our patients go ahead with a rabies blood test after the first rabies vaccination, as there is no other way of knowing if they have responded to the vaccine or not.

We'd be happy to discuss this with you if you want any more information

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