The words ‘pet travel’ can alarm even the most regulation savvy of veterinary professionals. Compliance with a seemingly ever changing set of rules, coupled with numerous ‘what if’ scenarios, makes protection and control for travelling pets a challenge. In 2012–2013, the Great Pet Travel Survey indicated that 28% of dog owners in the UK have travelled abroad with their pet (Morgan, 2014). Whether travelling abroad for holidays or competitions, moving overseas or taking long holidays of more than 1 month, the numbers of owners travelling abroad with their pets is likely to continue to rise with pet travel around Europe now easier than ever before. Despite complying with the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) requirements, the Great Pet Travel Survey 2012–2013 revealed that 36% of dog owners travelling to at risk areas took no additional specific precautions against their pet contracting exotic parasitic diseases (Bristol University, 2013). Pet care advice is most commonly sought from veterinary professionals (PDSA, 2013) and it is important that veterinary practices are prepared when a client seeks pet travel advice.
What are the rules?
PETS was introduced by the European Parliament in 2000 to allow the UK and some other European countries stricter travel controls than the rest of the EU. In January 2012, PETS was updated in line with EU regulations which saw the UK lose mandatory tick treatments from the regulations but retain mandatory tapeworm treatment following a lengthy campaign. PETS was updated again on 29 December 2014 to, among other things, increase security surrounding pet passports and increase the minimum age for rabies vaccinations to 12 weeks. To ensure that no wild animals are transported under PETS, it has also been more clearly defined as to what constitutes a ‘dog’, ‘cat’ and ‘ferret’. The only species that can travel under PETS are: Canis lupis familiaris (domestic dog), Felis silvestris catus (domestic cat) and Mustela putorius furo (ferret). This rule is only likely to affect owners of hybrid species such as Bengal or Savannah cats or Wolfdogs. Current PETS regulations are summarised in Table 1.
Table 1. Travel rules for dogs, cats and ferrets as dictated by the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) EU Regulation No 576/2013 since 29th December 2014
| Pet requirement | Additional requirements | Timeframe |
| Pre travel | ||
| Be microchipped | The person implanting microchips needs to meet a minimum level of qualifications | Before rabies vaccination |
| Be vaccinated against rabies | Pets must be at least 12 weeks old | 21 full days before travel (day of vaccination counts as day 0) — travel from EU/listed countries only |
| Have an EU Pet Passport or Official Veterinary Certificate | Must include full vaccination record and be fully completed | |
| Have blood serology testing after rabies vaccination | Test carried out 30 days after rabies vaccination (day of vaccination counts as day 0) — 3 month wait from date blood taken until pet can travel (assuming positive test result) | |
| If not travelling with owner, owner must authorise person responsible for pet in writing | ||
| During travel | ||
| Pet must travel within 5 days of owner/accompanying person | Must sign a declaration stating no intention to sell or transfer ownership of pet | |
| Must sign a declaration stating no intention to sell or transfer ownership of pet | ||
| Echinococcus multilocularis treatment with praziquantel or equivalent | Vet must complete relevant section of pet passport | 24–120 hours (1–5 days) before re-entry time into the UK (or Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway) |
| Travel with an approved transport company via an authorised route | ||
Primary concerns surrounding pet travel
It is important to remember that pet travel regulations exist fundamentally to protect humans, not pets, and as such, additional actions are required to fully protect pets when travelling abroad. Furthermore, the UK is not endemic for many dangerous parasites and diseases found on mainland Europe, such as Echinococcus multilocularis, Dirofilaria immitis and Leishmania spp. It is important to remain this way to avoid significant morbidity in UK pets and zoonotic parasites becoming established. Following the removal of the mandatory tick treatment from PETS, there are now no regulations protecting the UK from Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks which carry Ehrlichia canis and Babesia spp. Table 2 outlines the key parasites and diseases that are of greatest concern when travelling abroad with pets.
Table 2. Companion animal parasites and diseases of most concern when travelling abroad
| Parasite | Disease | Definitive hosts | Intermediate hosts | Transmission | Clinical signs | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echinococcus multilocularis (cestode — tapeworm) | Alveolar echinococcosis in humans | Foxes, dogs, (cats) | Voles, rodents, humans* | Intermediate hosts become infected by ingesting eggs passed in the faeces of infected definitive hosts. Intermediate hosts develop alveolar cysts containing protoscolices which, when ingested by definitive hosts, develop into adult worms in the intestine | No clinical signs in the canine or feline definitive host. Metastatic and infiltrative spread primarily in the liver in intermediate host | In endemic areas, pets should be treated at 4 weekly intervals with an effective anthelmintic containing praziquantel |
| Echinococcus granulosus (cestode — tapeworm) | Hydatid Disease (cystic echinococcosis) in humans | Dogs | Sheep, cattle, horses, pigs, humans* | Intermediate hosts become infected when they ingest eggs passed into the environment from the faeces of infected definitive hosts. Hydatid cysts form in the liver and lungs of intermediate hosts and infection results in dogs when they ingest material containing these hydatid cysts | No clinical signs in the canine definitive host. Hydatid cyst development in liver, lungs, bone and central nervous system (CNS) in intermediate host | Care should be taken to prevent dogs having access to raw offal and carcasses. In endemic areas, dogs that may have access to carcasses or raw viscera should be treated at least every 6 weeks with an effective anthelmintic containing praziquantel |
| Dirofilaria immitis (nematode — heartworm) | Dirofilariosis | Dogs, cats, foxes, ferrets humans* | Mosquitoes — vector borne disease (VBD) | Microfilariae in the blood stream of infected definitive hosts become available to blood-sucking mosquitoes. Microfilariae develop to the L3 infective stage in the body of the mosquito and are transmitted to definitive hosts during feeding. The larvae undertake an extensive migration through body tissues to reach the pulmonary arteries and the right side of the heart where they develop to the adult stage and reproduce | Many infected hosts do not show any clinical signs for years. Primarily cardiac signs in dogs, respiratory in cats | Monthly treatment with a macrocyclic lactone to prevent adult heartworm infection developing (many efficacious products licensed). Treatment should begin at least 1 month prior to exposure to infected mosquitoes and end at least 1 month after last exposure to infected mosquitoes |
| Dirofilaria repens (nematode — subcutaneous) | Dirofilariosis | Dogs, cats, foxes, humans* | Mosquitoes — VBD | Microfilariae in the blood stream of infected definitive hosts become available to blood-sucking mosquitoes. Microfilariae develop to the L3 infective stage in the body of the mosquito and are transmitted to definitive hosts during feeding. D. repens infective larvae do not migrate far in the subcutaneous connective tissues of the definitive host and reach maturity there where they reproduce | Frequently sub clinical, however, infected dogs can present with cutaneous disorders of varying severity, such as pruritus, dermal swelling and subcutaneous nodules which contain the parasites | Monthly treatments with macrocyclic lactones (Moxidectin spot on, Advocate® (Bayer) licensed). Treatment should begin at least 1 month prior to exposure to infected mosquitoes and end at least 1 month after last exposure to infected mosquitoes |
| Babesia spp. (protozoa) | Babesiosis | Dogs, wolves, foxes, cats | Dermacentor reticulatus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks depending on Babesia species — VBD | After a tick feeds on an infected host, Babesia spp. stages penetrate the gut of the tick, multiply and migrate. Sporozoites are then transmitted to new hosts through the tick’s saliva when they take a blood meal | May be subclinical. Signs include fever, lethargy, anorexia, depression, anaemia, sickness, red coloured urine, renal failure | Risk of infection can be significantly reduced by effective tick control. Chemoprophylaxis with a product that repels, expels or rapidly kills ticks. Monitor pets for ticks every 24 hours and remove any ticks found with a tick hook using a ‘twist and pull’ action to avoid leaving in mouthparts |
| Ehrlichia canis (rickettsia) | Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis | Dogs, wolves, foxes, (cats) | Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks — VBD | After feeding on an infected host, the bacteria are then transmitted to new hosts through the tick’s saliva when they take a blood meal | Various. Including apathy, depression, anorexia, dyspnoea, anaemia, fever epistaxis and vomiting. Dogs may appear clinically normal | Risk of infection can be significantly reduced by effective tick control. Chemoprophylaxis with a product that repels, expels or rapidly kills ticks. Monitor pets for ticks every 24 hours and remove any ticks found with a tick hook using a ‘twist and pull’ action to avoid leaving in mouthparts |
| Leishmania spp. (trypanosome — protozoa) | Leishmaniosis | Dogs, cats, foxes, humans* | Sandflies — VBD | Parasites present in the superficial dermis of infected dogs fall into the well of blood created by the sandfly's mouthparts when feeding. After migration to the salivary glands of the sandfly, promastigotes are released into the superficial dermis of the dog during a subsequent blood meal. These then form amastigotes in macrophages that infect a wide variety of tissues | Many infected hosts will not show clinical signs. Cutaneous lesions, enlargement of lymph nodes, weight loss, anorexia and muscle weakness, potential for kidney and heart failure | Prevention of sandfly bites via application of licensed pyrethroid fly repellent (deltamethrin (Scalibor® (MSD)), permethrin (Advantix® (Bayer), Vectra3D® (Ceva)). Avoid hosts being outside during dawn and dusk which are optimal sandfly feeding times. Vaccine is available which can help prevent disease (CaniLeish® (Virbac)) |
| N/A | Rabies | Many mammals including dogs, foxes, wolves, bats, ruminants and humans* | Saliva from the bite of an infected animal | Furious rabies: extreme behavioural changes Paralytic rabies: weakness and loss of coordination. Very high mortality rate without early intervention | Vaccination | |
| N/A | Leptospirosis | Many mammals including cats, dogs, rodents, cattle and humans* | Contact of mucous membranes or broken skin with water, contamination of soil and vegetation with infected urine | Multiple including fever, muscle soreness, depression, potential for kidney and liver failure | Four strain vaccine recommended for dogs in Europe |
(ESCCAP, 2010; ESCCAP, 2012a; ESCCAP, 2012b; ESCCAP UK & Ireland, 2014)
* = zoonosesThe risk of an exotic disease establishing in the UK can be illustrated by the ecological theory of biological invasions whereby the chance of a disease establishing can be calculated by the propagule pressure (how often it is introduced) and the habitat suitability (both climate and vector availability). In the case of D. immitis (heartworm), the mosquito vector is already present in the UK but the disease is not currently present, therefore the key factor for the establishment of D. immitis is how often it is brought into the UK. In the case of E. multilocularis (fox tapeworm), the UK has a very high habitat suitability due to a high density of foxes and optimal habitat for intermediate hosts (the meadow vole is the most common mammal found in Britain) (Craig, 2014). Combine this with a 98% risk of one dog out of 10 000 returning to the UK via PETS with E. multilocularis and the UK can be seen as very high risk for establishment (Torgerson and Craig, 2009).
Leishmania spp., E. multilocularis and D. immitis are all zoonotic diseases, and as well as the risk to human health and severity of the clinical signs in animals and humans, these parasites cause concern for a number of additional reasons. Canine leishmaniosis can be chronic with lifelong intermittent or continuous treatment often being required. Indeed, focus in endemic areas is on relieving clinical signs rather than eliminating the parasite as the dog is likely to be continuously re-infected (Kramer, 2014). On the other hand, E. multilocularis in dogs is generally well tolerated but alveolar echinococcosis can remain undetected in humans for in excess of 10–15 years and has a high mortality rate (Craig, 2014). It is estimated that a typical human case of alveolar echinococcus would cost more than €100 000 in treatment and lost income for the patient (Peter Deplazes, personal communication). D. immitis can take years to present in dogs and clinical signs can be severe. Furthermore, the natural death or killing of the parasite does not necessarily solve the problem as dead adult worms measuring up to 30 cm long can settle in the pulmonary vascular bed causing further problems (Simon Tappin, personal communication). If young worms are not killed prior to their migration towards the heart then an operation is often required to remove adult lungworms. In humans, D. immitis infection leads to pulmonary nodules. Most cases are subclinical but they may be mistaken for tumors or cancerous growths (Simón et al, 2012).
Starting to assess travel needs
If a client expresses a wish to take their pet abroad it is important to book them in for a travel appointment at least 2 to 3 months in advance of their travel date. Nurses have a valuable role to play in discussing travel needs with the client and building up a data base of useful information. Either before, or at the appointment, the following information should be obtained
About the holiday
There are a number of things about the holiday that will affect the pet's travel requirements. Find out:
- H1 Date leaving UK? (To establish pre travel treatment dates)
- H2 Where travelling to? (To assess what parasite prevention is required)
- H3 Mode of transport? (As part of risk assessment and pre travel health checks)
- H4 Travelling via any other country? (Are countries being passed through with separate parasitic disease risks)
- H5 Visiting anywhere? (Other destinations with separate parasitic disease risks
- H6 Date leaving destination? (To establish dates for parasitic treatments before return to UK)
- H7 Date and time returning to UK? (To establish dates for parasitic treatments before return to UK).
About the pet
When discussing pet travel it is important to find out:
- P1 Species, breed and gender? (Passport details, license and safety profiles for travel, vaccinations and parasiticides)
- P2 Age of the pet? (Passport requirements and minimum ages for travel, vaccines, parasite treatments etc)
- P3 Existing medical conditions? (May prohibit certain modes of travel, vaccination and parasiticides)
- P4 Previous medical conditions? (May prohibit certain modes of travel, vaccination and parasiticides.)
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Lifestyle of pet when abroad
The lifestyle of the pet while away will have an impact on the risks for acquirimng a parasite. Find out if the pet will be:
- L1 Indoors or outdoors? (Risk of parasitic disease transmission)
- L2 Outside at dawn or dusk? (Increased risk of Leishmania spp. and possibly Dirofilaria spp. transmission depending on region)
- L3 Hunting? (Increased risk of tapeworm transmission)
- L4 Swimming? (Products that are not systemically absorbed will be affected, especially if frequently swimming)
- L5 Roaming? (Increased risk of vector-borne transmission, especially tick-borne disease. Also increased risk of tapeworm transmission if scavenging or predation are likely).
A bespoke risk assessment can be carried out for the specific pet and travel plans and a schedule for travel created to include:
- Pre travel requirements
- Requirements during travel
- Post travel requirements
- PETS requirements
- Other legal requirements for said country
- Parasite risk
- Lifestyle risks.
Parasite distribution maps can be found at www.esccap.org and www.esccapuk.org.uk in the travelling sections. Information about individual country requirements in Europe can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/nat_rules_dogscatferret_en.htm. Further information about PETS rules and entry into the UK can be found at www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad. For possible scenarios see Case study 1 and Case study 2.
Case Study 1
H1 22nd April 2015
| About the holiday | About the pet | Lifestyle of pet when abroad |
|
|
|
| Parasite/disease/detail | Control measure | Timeline/date |
| Pre travel | ||
| Leptospirosis | Vaccination: two vaccinations 4 weeks apart | 21st February 2015 and 21st March 2015 |
| Dirofilaria repens | Treatment with moxidectin/imidacloprid spot on preparation (Advocate® licensed for D. repens prophylaxis) | 21st March 2015 |
| Microchip | PETS requirement | No later than 31st March 2015 — must be before rabies vaccination |
| Rabies | Vaccination (PETS requirement) | No later than 31st March 2015 |
| EU Pet Passport | PETS requirement | No later than 31st March 2015 |
| D. repens | Treatment with moxidectin/imidacloprid spot on preparation (Advocate® (Bayer) licensed for D. repens prophylaxis) | 21st April 2015 |
| Babesia spp. (Dermacentor reticulatus) and other tick-borne diseases | Chemoprophylaxis with a product that repels, expels or rapidly kills ticks | 21st April 2015 |
| During travel | ||
| Date leaving UK: 22nd April 2015 | ||
| Travel with an approved transport company via an authorised route | PETS requirement | 22nd April 2015 |
| Babesia spp. (Dermacentor reticulatus) and other tick-borne diseases | Monitor pets for ticks and remove any ticks found with a tick hook using a ‘twist and pull’ action to avoid leaving in mouthparts | Every 24 hours while travelling |
| Echinococcus multilocularis | Treatment of praziquantel given by a registered vet and marked in pet passport (PETS requirement) | 27th April 2015 after 2pm — 1st May 2015 before 2pm: recommended treatment date 30th April 2015 |
| Travel with an approved transport company via an authorised route | PETS requirement | 1st and 2nd May 2015 |
| Date returning to UK: 2nd May 2015 Time: 2.00pm | ||
| Post travel | ||
| Various | Remain vigilant for changes in pets behaviour or health | At least 6 months post travel |
| D. repens | Treatment moxidectin/imidacloprid spot on preparation (Advocate® licensed for D. repens prophylaxis) | 21st May 2015 |
| Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus | Treatment with product containing praziquantel | 30th May 2015 |
Case study 2
H1 20th July 2015
| About the holiday | About the pet | Lifestyle of pet when abroad |
|
|
|
| Parasite/disease/detail | Control measure | Timeline/date |
| Pre travel | ||
| Leptospirosis | Vaccination, two vaccinations 4 weeks apart. | 20th May 2015 and 17th June 2015 |
| Dirofilaria spp. | Treatment with product containing macrocyclic lactones | 19th June 2015 |
| Microchip | PETS requirement | No later than 28th June 2015 — must be before rabies vaccination |
| Rabies | Vaccination (PETS requirement) | No later than 28th June 2015 |
| EU Pet Passport | PETS requirement | No later than 28th June 2015 |
| Dirofilaria spp. | Treatment with product containing macrocyclic lactones | 19th July 2015 |
| Babesia spp. and Ehrlichia canis (Dermacentor reticulatus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and other tick-borne diseases | Chemoprophylaxis with a product that repels, expels or rapidly kills ticks | 19th July 2015 |
| During travel | ||
| Date leaving UK: 20th July 2015 | ||
| Travel with an approved transport company via an authorised route | PETS requirement | 20th July 2015 |
| Babesia spp. and E. canis (D. reticulatus and R. sanguineus) and other tick-borne diseases | Monitor pets for ticks and remove any ticks found with a tick hook using a ‘twist and pull’ action to avoid leaving in mouthparts | Every 24 hours while travelling |
| Leishmania spp., Dirofilaria spp. and other insect transmitted vector-borne diseases | Application of licensed pyrethroid fly repellent | As per data sheet, be especially vigilant at dawn and dusk |
| Echinococcus multilocularis | Treatment of praziquantel given by a registered vet and marked in pet passport (PETS requirement) | 5th August 2015 after 5pm — 9th August 2015 before 5pm: recommended treatment date 8th August 2015 |
| Travel with an approved transport company via an authorised route | PETS requirement | 10th August 2015 |
| Date returning to UK: 10th August 2015 Time: 5.00pm | ||
| Post travel | ||
| Dirofilaria spp. | Treatment with product containing macrocyclic lactones | 19th August 2015 |
| Various, including Leishmania spp. | Remain vigilant for changes in pets behaviour or health | At least 6 months post travel |
| Echinococcus granulosus | Treatment with product containing praziquantel | 8th September 2015 |
| Dirofilaria spp. | Treatment with product containing macrocyclic lactones | 19th September 2015 |
Conclusion
Preparations for pet travel can be daunting, both in terms of the requirements of PETS but also ensuring that all necessary parasite prevention requirements are met. Developing a planned timetable of prophylactic measures with the client well in advance of travel helps to reduce stress, both for the client and also for veterinary staff. Nurses play a vital role in the formulation of these preparations by helping to establish travel plans and giving parasiticide advice. As part of the practice team, it remains important for nurses to keep up to date with changes to PETS as well as new parasiticide products and disease threats.
Key Points
- Pet travel preparation should start at least 1 month prior to travel, ideally 2 or 3 months prior to travel to avoid complications.
- Pet travel regulations exist to protect human health, not pet health, and additional actions are required to fully protect pets from exotic disease when travelling.
- The UK is currently free from many dangerous parasites found on mainland Europe and needs to retain this free status.
- Veterinary nurses have a valuable role to play in giving pet travel advice and the running of pet travel clinics but as result need to remain abreast of changes to PETS and new disease threats.