pets abroad

[maggyd]

We were hoping to take our little dog abroad next year but sadly he died in September.We have just bought a 4 month chihuahua puppy and I was wondering how old he should be before we take him abroad I am a bit worried about the rabies jab, would it be better to wait a couple of years? we have just been over to France in our car and was pleasantly supprised at how welcome dogs are in cafe,s and restruants it makes a change from this country where we had to sit outside everytime we wanted to eat out. (lol)

[Don Madge]

[QUOTE]maggyd - 2006-11-19 6:39 PM We were hoping to take our little dog abroad next year but sadly he died in September.We have just bought a 4 month chihuahua puppy and I was wondering how old he should be before we take him abroad I am a bit worried about the rabies jab, would it be better to wait a couple of years? we have just been over to France in our car and was pleasantly supprised at how welcome dogs are in cafe,s and restruants it makes a change from this country where we had to sit outside everytime we wanted to eat out. (lol)[/QUOTE] Hi, This site will give you details of the pets travel scheme http://tinyurl.com/rb7j9 you might get the advice you want there. Don

[maggyd]

thanks Don but I was hoping to hear from someone that has taken a young small dog abroad and if it is worth the hassle and what risks it intails. (!)

[Don Madge]

[QUOTE]maggyd - 2006-11-19 7:37 PM thanks Don but I was hoping to hear from someone that has taken a young small dog abroad and if it is worth the hassle and what risks it intails. (!)[/QUOTE] I will ask around and see what comes up. Don

[A W]

As far as I recall it takes 7 months overall for the process to qualify to take your dog back into the UK so it isn't going to happen quickly. Good luck with your travels

[dogmad]

Sorry you've recently lost your companion but hope you're enjoying your new pet. I'd suggest consulting your vet about the rabies jab. As already mentioned, after having the dog vaccinated you have to wait approx 6 months before you can travel as you can't return to the uk with your pet within 6 months of the jab. I can't comment on taking such a young dog but we've been twice to France with our 2, last year the youngest wasn't quite 2 years old. They both travel well and we've had no problems, in fact we're taking them again next year. The pet passport scheme has been a godsend for us as we won't put our dogs in kennels and we love having them with us on holiday.

[Norma]

I have taken ownership of a 10 month old rehomed guide dog. She has just had her rabies vacination. I know she is a bit older but there was no question of her age. As everyone else has said there is a long wait after the vaccine. She was vacinated and 30 days later a blood test taken to check the antibody level. Thereafter you have to wait 6 months till you can bring the dog back into the country. You can take the dog out - but not back into the UK. I certainly would get the vacination done as soon as possible. We are going away in April but cannot return before the 24th April. So far we have encountered no porblems. And the French seem to adore small dogs. So go ahead and get it done. Our older dog travels very well while on the boat. Afterall she is in her own space and she doesn't understand why we have had to leave her. We leave her when we go shopping. Watch out for caterpillar trains, though, they are lethal to dogs. Found in pine forests.

[Don Madge]

[QUOTE]Norma - 2006-11-19 9:32 PM Watch out for caterpillar trains, though, they are lethal to dogs. Found in pine forests. [/QUOTE] Norma, I didn't realise that they were still about, the last time I saw any was 20 years ago in Portugal at Camping Olhao on the Algarve. A couple of dogs died after touching them and a few adults were effected by them as well. Don

[Guest Frank Wilkinson]

You should be OK taking a dog into French cafes and restaurants but I wouldn't recommend taking your horse.

[Norma]

Don We saw caterpillar trains in Revel, Haute Garonne, in the pine forests around the lake last year. Thanks to MMM we were aware of them.

[zulurita]

Norma, Your puppy should be ok for the vaccination as he's over 3 months. Main thing is not to have other vaccinations etc close together.

[Mel B]

I'd ask your vet for advice about the age at which it is wise to take your dog abroad, older dogs will have built up an immunity to many bugs etc but a young dog may not have. Simply giving it lots of walks where other dogs have been etc in the UK might help to improve it's immunity to general bugs etc, a bit like us as kids, we didn't have lots of these anti-bacterial sprays etc but we survived okay, not like some of the kids today that seem to get ill just hearing that someone else is poorly!

[Mel B]

Took a photo of some weird caterpillars at Le Croytoy at the end of June last year - pretty but deadly me thinks!

[jupe]

After 3 years without a dog we decided to go for it last year and acquired an 8 week old puppy. She's a small crossbreed (Jack Russell in there somewhere) and she was micro-chipped then had the rabies jab at 4 months old. Our vet said this was the earliest it could be done. 26 days later she had the blood test and it is from this date that the 6mths starts before your dog can come back to the UK. We actually went to Europe a month before this time was up, didn't go earlier just in case we needed to come back early for some reason - we knew we would be away for at least 4 mths. We had no problems at all, being only just 10mths when we went away she has grown up with motorhoming and loves it, specially all the attention she gets. We were only asked for her passport twice - once at a campsite in Italy and once at a municipal site at St Malo. Driving back up through France on our return journey we asked several dog owners about vets fees etc for the jabs required before returning to the UK - the standard charge seemed to be around 50E, we stayed at a site near the Somme Bay and they made the appointment for us, drew a map showing the location of the vet - it had lots of parking space. We are about to leave for another few months, hopefully warmer climes, and our dog can't wait!!!! Another member of the WORMS

[zulurita]

The cheapest vets we have come across so far was this July at Ypres(Ieper) only 26€ + :-D We stayed at the local municipal campsite so it was only a 10 min walk away. We did book on our way out in April for July. Rita

[Pat P]

Hi Norma I am a qualified pet behaviourist. My thoughts would be that the microchipping will be the most traumatic thing that your tiny puppy will have to endure! The needle is quite big. It has to be done before/at the same time as the rabies vaccination. Make sure that you do not make a big deal out of any reaction your puppy has to any experiences at the vet's. Unlike humans dog's fears are worsened by reassurance. Just jolly the puppy along, laugh or best of all, ignore any reaction. (This goes for all fear-based behaviour). It should not stop you from going ahead though. The more experiences any puppy has the more sound it's temperament will be. Socialise, socialise, socialise. In the case of small breeds - try not to keep picking them up. They have to learn what things/people/dogs look like from their perspective i.e a few inches from the ground. If your puppy does not like his or her experience at the vet's make sure you return (and return..) until he or she has had more good experiences than bad ones. Most good vets welcome puppies so that the adult dog is easy to handle later in life. Puppy socialisation classes are the most important and best thing you will ever do with your dog. More dogs are destroyed through bad temperament than any other single cause. I'll get off my soapbox now. Have a great trip and enjoy your (hopefully well socialised) puppy for the next fifteen or so years. Look at www.coape.co.uk for good puppy classes in your area. Best Wishes Pat

[michele]

i am so sorry you lost your dog. I am in the same boat it feels terrible I hope your new little doggie brings you joy and helps to take your mind off it . I am sorry I am no use to you with help for travelling as I am only just learning from the others myself. Goodluck