Pet Travel Scheme

"Exotic Disease" is the term used to describe diseases which are unusual in the UK , so vets are less easily able to identify them. Because they not common in the UK, pets normally resident in the UK have not been exposed to low levels of infection and so acquired immunity, which makes them especially vulnerable when exposed to them for the first time.

This was a significant concern for UK vets, probably more so than rabies, but has proved to be much less of a threat to the health of the nation's pets than feared.  Free movement of our pets has also coincided with global warming which may also have a bearing on the subject.

However, if you take your pet abroad with you and he subsequently becomes unwell, do remind your vet that he has been abroad which will help inform his diagnosis.

These are the diseases that may be unfamiliar to your vet, though the profession has worked to acquaint themselves with these unusual illnesses.  I must emphasise that these are all very unusual and with care your pet should be perfectly safe:

Leishmaniasis

is spread by sand flies which bite mostly at night and is found mainly in tropical and sub-tropical areas.  It attacks the immune system and can be fatal.  However, the normal precautions that are taken against flying insects abroad should offer a good level of protection.

Babesiosis

spread by ticks and can be rapidly fatal.  Check your pet daily for ticks; even in a (well groomed) heavily coated breed they are easily detected just by running your hands across his body.  The usual places for ticks are face and neck and the lower part of the legs.  Remove them with tick tweezers and tick-off drops.


Ehrlichiosis

spread by ticks, it damages the clotting mechanism of the blood, so the first signs may be of nosebleeds. The advice for Babesiosis applies.

Heart Worm

spread by mosquitos.  Very unpleasant and untreatable, ultimately fatal.  Good news is that it can be vaccinated against, so talk to your vet before you go away, or to the vet at your destination immediately you arrive.

All these diseases are rare, so it's largely a matter of taking care, checking for ticks every day- especially if you have been in grassy areas - and keeping clear of areas with biting insects.