Sending dog to UK.

Dr. Marie replied:

Thank you for an interesting question. I find it interesting that you should ask this because I currently have a very similar case in my practice right now! (I practice in Ottawa and have a lot of travelling diplomat clients.) I have a client who is sending a dog to France and this dog was not microchipped at the time that she received her rabies vaccine. I have recently done a LOT of research to see if there was a way around revaccinating her, but unfortunately there is not.

It really should be safe to redo the vaccination now. I have done this several times and it is very uncommon that we have any problems. I have sent a number of animals to Japan and that government requires that two vaccines are given, 30 days apart. I once did have an animal have an allergic reaction to the second vaccination. It was mild and was treated with antihistamines and the pet did just fine.

Most likely, if this were my case I would suggest having some antihistamines on board at the time of the second vaccination, just in case. This is something you can talk to your veterinarian about.

Regarding the type of the vaccination, there are only certain rabies vaccines that are acceptable to get into the UK. Recently, they have started allowing Merial Purevax canarypox vector vaccine. This is, in my opinion, one of the safest vaccines out there. It is a one year vaccine and if this were my case then I would give it. The 3 year vaccine does carry an increased risk of something called injection site sarcoma. Fortunately this condition is quite rare. I have given tens of thousands of rabies vaccines in my career and have seen an injection site sarcoma twice. So, if all your vet has available is a 3 year vaccine, the odds are that this will be safe.

If your vet does not have a lot of experience with exporting animals to the UK, one of the things that I have found extremely helpful is the CFIA. I will commonly email my contact at the CFIA and ask questions (such as which vaccination is acceptable) and they are very helpful.

It is also important to note that the UK has recently changed its requirements as far as needing a rabies titre. I'll be honest and let you know that I don't know them off of the top of my head. But it is worthwhile to mention to your vet that the requirements have changed as of January 2012. They may want to double check their procedures are ok.

I hope that information helps and hope all goes well!

Dr. Marie.


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