Exotic Parasite Risk and Pet Travel Legislation

Increasing numbers of pets are travelling and being imported from abroad. This, in combination with the expanding distribution of parasites and vectors across Europe, is making it increasingly likely that vets will encounter foreign parasites and be required to give preventative advice. Changes to pet travel rules post-Brexit also mean that it is more important than ever for vets to be familiar with current pet travel rules, likely changes and which parasite preventative measures are mandatory under the scheme. Vets play a vital role in ensuring pets are kept as safe as possible from parasitic disease while abroad, that national biosecurity is maintained and that zoonotic risk to pet owners and the wider public is kept to a minimum.

This course considers the exotic and emerging diseases that may be encountered in imported pets and while pets are abroad, as well as their diagnosis and treatment. It will also cover current pet travel legislation and consider the benefits and pitfalls of possible future changes.

Topics to be covered include:

•  Current pet travel legislation and possible future changes
• Ticks and tick-borne diseases
• Heartworm and other exotic worms
• Leishmania infantum, canine and feline leishmaniosis
• Brucella canis in imported pets
• Clinical assessment and parasite diagnosis in the imported pet