Treating for Ticks and Tapeworm

Timing of Treatment

Any dog, cat or ferret entering the UK, whether returning or coming into the country for the first time must be treated for ticks and tapeworm between 24 and 48 hours before checking in with the Approved Carrier.

Correct Forms

The treatment must be administered by a vet and must be recorded in the EU Pet Passport, or if from a non-EU country in the Third Country Official Veterinary Certificate.

Ensure the vet reads the microchip before treating your pet. The treatment must be given every time the pet enters the UK.

Check In

If you do not meet the specified time frame you will either have to wait for a full 24 hours since treatment before your pet can travel, or if it is more than 48 hours since the pet was treated, the treatment will have to be repeated and, again, recorded.

If you are taking your pet on a day trip to Europe then treatment must be given before travel and the return journey check-in timed for between 24 and 48 hours after treatment.

Treatment and Medications

Your pet must be treated against the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis using a veterinary medicine whose active ingredient is praziquantel.
The tick treatment must be licensed for use against ticks and have a marketing authorisation in the country of use.
Ensure that the treatment is properly recorded before leaving the surgery.

For the EU Pet Passport

Sections VI & VII must show:

Manufacturer and name of product
Date & time of treatment (using the 24 hour clock)
Stamp & signature of veterinarian

For the Third Country Official Veterinary Certificate

Sections VI & VII must show:

Manufacturer and name of product
Date & time of treatment (using the 24 hour clock)
Name and address of veterinarian
Signature, date and stamp of veterinarian

Animals will fail the PETS check if their certificates are not in order. Do make sure that these details are correctly recorded on the certificate before you leave the vet's surgery.

Bear in mind when making travel arrangements the 24 hour window of travel and that you are unlikely to find a vet open over the weekend, which makes travel on Monday inadvisable and travel on Tuesday would have to be timed for 24 hours after treatment.

This links to the English version of the French Yellow Pages. To find a vet simply enter Veterinary Surgeon in the Search Box and the relevant town. This will give you a long listing which gives maps, phone and fax.

Do make an appointment in good time, preferably before you travel if it is a holiday, and don't assume that all vets will be familiar with the Scheme. Making arrangements by fax will enable you to confirm that the vet is familiar with the Scheme; re-confirm the appointment once you are in the area.