The risks of taking pets abroad

Cass the Border Collie was killed by Babesiosis

As the holiday season gets into full swing, thousands of us will be taking advantage of the Pet Passport scheme which allows us to take our dogs abroad with us. But are our pets safe from overseas diseases that they have no immunity to?

Last year almost 40,000 dogs and cats were brought into Britain country under the pet passport scheme.

Most come back from their holidays safe and well but a minority are falling ill abroad and dying from diseases unknown in this country.

Our reporter Yvonne Nedge was live at The University of Bristol Veterinary unit.

One of Breakfast's viewers, Susan Hassett contacted us after her dog died after a trip to France; you can hear Susan's story by clicking on the link below.

Peter and Susan Hassett feel particularly upset because they had a pet passport allowing their Border Collie - Cass - to travel abroad.

The Pet Passport Scheme Pet passports were launched in 2000 The number of pets brought into the country before the scheme was 14,500 By the end of 2002 the numbers had risen to almost 40,000

This provided proof that their dog had been immunised, but this was to provide little protection from a disease called Babesiosis which Cass picked up in France and which she later died from.

Babesiosis is virtually unknown in the UK - it is carried by ticks and is more common in France.

The pet passport scheme allows animals to travel with their owners without the need for quarantine, but in turn has increased exposure to other pet diseases.

The Hassetts were left deeply upset by the loss of Cass and are calling for more information on continental diseases to be published in the UK.

They also want vaccinations and treatments that are available in Europe to be made available in Britain - for example there is a collar that can be worn which deters ticks, but it would need to be used two weeks before travelling.

Despite their loss, the Hassetts are philosophical and don't want to cause panic.

Cass had travelled abroad seven times before she was infected; they simply wish they could have prevented her death which has devastated both of them.

Susan Shaw, Chief Vet at Bristol University

Click on the link above to see Yvonne's interview with Susan Shaw.

Breakfast reporter Yvonne Nedge spoke to Susan Shaw, who has been looking into cases of infected animals with pet passports coming back from abroad.

Susan said although overall numbers are smalll, it is a problem that pet owners should be aware of.

In the last 18 months we've seen over 100 animals diagnosed with serious illness Susan Shaw, Bristol University

Susan said that it's essential that dog owners who travel abroad with their pets look out for signs of illness - even when they've been back for some time - "some of thses diseases can stay quiet in the body for months".

Obvious signs of illness, such as not eating should be reported to the vet as soon as possible, as the diseases are treatable.

It's absolutely vital to take that pre-trip travel check Susan Shaw, Bristol University

While on holidays, it helps if owners keep their pets away from biting flies and insects.

But the best thing that owners can do is to take their pets to the vet before they travel abroad, as preventitive treatments can be given to pets.