Gina's Pet Passport Journey

Many people didn’t apply for the Team GB in Denmark either because their dogs were not pedigrees (i.e. registered on the Kennel Clubs breed register) or they didn’t want to go through the Pet Passport scheme which involves having your dog inoculated with the rabies jab. I, too, had the same reservations and here is my diary of events through Bailey’s process. Added to my concerns was the fact that the Kennel Club were not selecting HTM Team GB until early December 2009. However in order for Bailey to have a positive blood test at least six months before leaving for Denmark meant he needed to start the procedure by mid November at the very latest. Here are snippets of my diary of this event

23 October 2009
Following the Kennel Clubs press release for the HTM World Championships in Denmark in June 2010, I considered entering Bailey for the competition. Bailey is currently the only German Spitz in the United Kingdom to be working Advanced Heelwork To Music and, in accordance with the World Championship rules and regulations, he is also registered on the Kennel Clubs breed register as opposed to the activities register which most of my other dogs are registered on.

But Bailey was not pet passport registered and so I rang my Vet for more details. I was in luck as three vets in our surgery are certified vets with DEFRA, which means they are qualified to give the rabies jabs and register the passports. We made an appointment for Tuesday morning.

I emailed Debbie Deuchar, at the Kennel Club, to advise her I would like Bailey & I to be considered for Team GB HTM.

26 October 2009
I did my internet research and downloaded everything I could on the Pet Passport scheme; I then made my list of questions for my vet regarding the scheme that I needed clarification on.

27 October 2009
At our veterinary appointment I first discussed the scheme and what it entailed. I am not keen to give my dogs unnecessary vaccinations and the rabies jab did hold many questions for me. My vet, Philip du Plessi (as pictured here with Bailey) was brilliant; he patiently went through the whole procedure with me before I decided to proceed. Your vet has to adopt a strict procedure as set out by DEFRA. Firstly, Philip gave Bailey a full health check and gave him a clean bill of health, which every dog owner likes to hear. All of my dogs are micro-chipped but we needed to next check Bailey’s micro-chip was active and note where it is location – Bailey’s is still between his shoulder blades. So far, so good! Philip is not permitted to give Bailey his rabies jab until the micro-chip is either given or/and located. Bailey’s microchip is unique to him and is used on his Pet Passport. Next we discussed Bailey’s annual vaccinations as they were due this month. Philip advised me that we would give him the rabies jab today; his annual vaccinations in two weeks and take his rabies blood test two weeks after that as he did not like to give all the vaccinations at once and if the rabies vaccination failed we still had time to re-vaccinate him. So that is what we did. The rabies jab was given; Bailey had half a tub of the dog treats from Philip as way of compensation for his time and I paid £38 for the visit and the rabies jab.

I kept Bailey as quiet as you can keep a German Spitz that day and he showed no signs of side-effects from the rabies jab such as swelling around the jab area.

The day after Bailey had a great run.

9 November 2009
Today Bailey had his annual boosters. Philip was pleased he had been fine after his rabies jab. Appointment made for 23 November 2009 for Baileys blood test.

23 November 2009
Today was a morning visit as Philip likes to post blood tests off in the morning instead of taking blood at night and keeping it overnight. I was advised that the blood is taken from the vein in the neck as the blood flows better from his part of the dogs’ body. Bailey was as good as gold and sat patiently whilst Philip shaved his coat from this area and attempted to take the blood sample. Unfortunately Bailey did not want to give us any blood and Philip had trouble accessing the vein. In the end he took the blood sample from his leg and Bailey once again claimed his compensation of half a pot of the vets’ dog treats! The bill this time was £71.96. Total so far £109.96.

27 November 2009
At Guildford’s HTM show today Jenny Deakin told me she had entered her dog Tom for Team GB HTM so I asked how Tom was progressing with his Pet Passport. Jenny said it was going well but she had shopped around as her Vet had wanted to charge £250. Another Vet close to her was charging £150 so she took Tom to them; I don’t blame her.

7 December 2009
Today I received good news. Philip telephoned me to say Bailey’s blood tests have come back showing he has passed and the rabies vaccination has taken effect. I can collect his Pet Passport when I was ready. When I arrived at the Vets I checked through the Passport to make sure all of his details had been entered correctly. They hadn’t. Bailey’s date of birth was listed as 1 November 2003 instead of 27 October 2003. Philip apologised and a new Passport was issued that night with the correct details on; after all I didn’t want to find myself abroad with a dog and having trouble getting him back into the UK. The bill this time was £23 for the Pet Passport, making a total of £132.96.

23 December 2009
More good news – today I received a letter from the Kennel Club confirming Bailey and I have been selected for Team GB HTM 2010. Looking forward to meeting the rest of the Team. Denmark here we come.

Bailey’s rabies jab lasts for two years so had he not been successful this time around I could still put him forward for Team GB HTM 2011.

Anyone considering putting their dog/s forward for Team GB 2011 should contact their Vet for further details on the Pet Passport Scheme.

Useful websites: http://www.dogsaway.co.uk/
www.saferpets.co.uk/all-about-pet-passport-scheme.html
http://www.defra.gov.uk/