Taking off for Summer
Inside the Vet's World:
Summer travel season and trial season are
just around the corner! It is now that most
veterinary clinics are seeing an uptick in
clients coming in to get vaccinations,
parasite prevention, and paperwork for
travel. Travelling with a dog domestically
—and especially across an international
border—can pose unique challenges that,
if
unprepared,
can
quickly
become
stressful! This article aims to help one
navigate the requirements, which involve
your
veterinarian,
to
ensure
much
smoother travel plans this summer.
Dr. Alexandria Horner
DVM, MS, DACT
Board-Certified Specialist
of the American College of
Theriogenology
Let's
start
with
the
easiest
requirements,
those
for
interprovincial travel within Canada. Most travel within
Canada does not require any veterinary paperwork. Having
your pet up to date with the core vaccines (distemper,
parvovirus,
adenovirus
[hepatitis],
and
rabies)
is
recommended. It's important to note that Ontario, by law,
requires all dogs to be vaccinated for rabies by three months
of age. Other provinces don't have a mandatory requirement,
but it is part of the recommended core vaccinations due to the
presence of rabies in our wildlife across the country. For those
unaware, rabies is a 100% fatal disease if contracted; hence, it
is essential as a core vaccination, as it carries public health
implications. If travelling by air with your dog, be aware that
the requirements become more specific to the airline used and
often require a veterinary health certificate stating the pet is
healthy for travel.
Domestic (Within Canada) Travel
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