Pet travel after BREXIT

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 11:00:07 GMT

[quote user="Will McMullan"]Although why was the titre test abandoned in the first place? I remember quite a few failures too, perhaps 10%[/quote]Although the 'pass' level was 0.5iu/ul this is far above protective values so most of these 'failures' probably still had protective antibody levels.

AFAIA European countries where Rabies is endemic or under direct threat that require a regular Rabies vaccines don't insist on a blood test so it seems a bit pointless.

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Will McMullan — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 09:25:02 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]Is the purpose of the passport scheme to simplify the paperwork or keep rabies from spreading...[/quote]

Of course you're correct, I was just moaning! Although why was the titre test abandoned in the first place? I remember quite a few failures too, perhaps 10%.

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Sarah Keir — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 08:50:41 GMT

When all dogs needed rabies titred before travel, I remember the failure rate (of seroconversion to level >0.5) when titre done 30 days after the vaccination was higher than 1%. We did a mini audit and it was about 15-20% failure. So as a practice we recommended a course of two vaccines and the blood for titre 30days after the second - the failure rate then dropped to almost 0 but still one or two failed to seroconvert.

Whole different argument about what we are trying to prove here except to tick box paperwork. However, the length of time required to complete for an export (the 6 month wait) and the cost did stop a lot of unnecessary dog and cat movements!

Sarah

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Rob Loxley — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 23:40:01 GMT

[quote user="Will McMullan"]At what point through the 3 year validity of the rabies vaccination should we advise repeating vaccination rather than just going straight for a titre test?[/quote]

I seem to remember the quoted 'failure' rate at 3-4wks post vaccination being about 1% or 1/10th of this if giving 2 initial doses of rabies. We had a couple of animals that failed to seroconvert sufficiently after a 3rd dose of rabies...

[quote user="Will McMullan"]Passports became so much simpler when we stopped having to blood test. [/quote]

Is the purpose of the passport scheme to simplify the paperwork or keep rabies from spreading...

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

karen jones — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 18:51:38 GMT

i spoke to virbac yesterday and they suggested that if vaccination was over 1 year before then they think it would be unlikely that the correct titre would be reached

if one year or under that probably ok but no guarantee

I am advising to revaccinate especially if time is short

i dont think there is much information as before we used to blood sample 30 days after vaccine

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Will McMullan — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 17:54:19 GMT

At what point through the 3 year validity of the rabies vaccination should we advise repeating vaccination rather than just going straight for a titre test? In the final year? What a pain if people have to titre test, repeat vaccination then titre test again, all for an eventuality that is unlikely to transpire! Passports became so much simpler when we stopped having to blood test.

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Bob Russell — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 14:51:52 GMT

Not sure which lab it was but for a time many of our samples went to a lab in Italy for processing. As long as the lab is accredited then the results should be acceptable.

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Stephen Pointing — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 14:22:21 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]Indeed, but we don't yet know whether the UK would be listed, unlisted or anything else[/quote]

You might not be listed from day 1 but I can't imagine it will take too long to be added to the list. UK dogs aren't going to be more likely to have rabies on March 29th 2019 than on March 28th.

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Marie Kubiak — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 12:05:12 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

In the past some labs sent samples to other EU countries for testing. I suspect there is plenty of capacity about!

[/quote]

Post-brexit will there be this option readily? Are there any restrictions for domestic species that would apply?

We are going to have issues as we hold endangered species (listed under CITES) and so need a tree's worth of paperwork to send samples to any lab outside the EU and this will narrow to outside the UK post-brexit. CITES species are kept as pets too (various tortoises, chameleons, grey parrots...) and will have the same issues unless an agreement is made.

Marie

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Rob Loxley — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 20:04:41 GMT

[quote user="Stephen Pointing"]We're a listed third country (Falkland Islands) and all we currently have to do is vaccinate against rabies and then the dog can be exported after 21 days. No need for blood titres or a 3 month wait.[/quote]

Indeed, but we don't yet know whether the UK would be listed, unlisted or anything else

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Stephen Pointing — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 18:49:35 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]If we become an unlisted, third country then the rule is titre and wait 3 months. Obviously given rabies status it shouldn't be hard to become a listed country with no titre/wait requirement, but this hasn't yet been agreed (or us just continuing as a member of the passport scheme but outside the EU)[/quote]

We're a listed third country (Falkland Islands) and all we currently have to do is vaccinate against rabies and then the dog can be exported after 21 days. No need for blood titres or a 3 month wait.

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Bob Russell — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 17:27:59 GMT

In the past some labs sent samples to other EU countries for testing. I suspect there is plenty of capacity about!

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Peter Faulkner — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 15:58:22 GMT

What lab will we use to get the Rabies blood test done?

There used to be only two approved, Weybridge and Biobest. I doubt they will have the capacity to cope with the avalanche following a no deal BREXIT.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/555967/rabies-approved-laboratories.pdf

Its pretty clear, we will be the ones who will be shouted at.

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Beats — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 11:40:50 GMT

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-46109006

(c.f. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26620304)

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Thomas Johnson — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 11:27:32 GMT

[quote user="Julie Innes"]I thought the pet passport was just really to allow them back into the UK without quarantine, so I don't really understand why we will revert to doing titres. The rabies status of the UK/ Europe hasn't changed![/quote]

The passport was always to allow them to Europe as well as to get back in to the UK. The current 3 week wait after rabies vaccine before travelling to Europe has always applied since Pet Passports were introduced, and pets travelling between EU countries on the continental mainland are required to have pet passports.

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Rob Loxley — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 08:47:35 GMT

[quote user="Julie Innes"]are we responsible for trying to get in touch with anyone who has been issued a pet passport in the last x years and letting them know this, or is it just if they ask our advice?[/quote]

We have done what we think is reasonable - facebook post and email to clients with valid rabies vaccinations, and updated current advice to new passport enquiries.

[quote user="Julie Innes"]so I don't really understand why we will revert to doing titres. The rabies status of the UK/ Europe hasn't changed![/quote]

If we become an unlisted, third country then the rule is titre and wait 3 months. Obviously given rabies status it shouldn't be hard to become a listed country with no titre/wait requirement, but this hasn't yet been agreed (or us just continuing as a member of the passport scheme but outside the EU)

RE: Pet travel after BREXIT

Julie Innes — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 08:42:16 GMT

But as Martin says, are we responsible for trying to get in touch with anyone who has been issued a pet passport in the last x years and letting them know this, or is it just if they ask our advice?

I thought the pet passport was just really to allow them back into the UK without quarantine, so I don't really understand why we will revert to doing titres. The rabies status of the UK/ Europe hasn't changed!

Another one who is going to be happy to relinquish my OV status!