Confused and worried

Hello,

We are considering a move to the UK in February, and we have a cat - this is where it gets interesting. End of September I went to the vet to get the microchip implanted and vaccinated. On the same day we took the blood draw, would that be a problem? Do we need to have the blood re-drawn now (since maybe we should not have drawn it on the same day)? Would it be a problem? It is too bad I did not find this website earlier, since the printout I got from the English pet authority website (whatever it is called), did not specify when the blood needs to be drawn. I would appreciate any help/suggestions.

DEFRA is the authority. And I'm no expert, but yes...I think you'll have to do a new blood draw. The whole point of it is to wait a month and then draw blood to prove that the vaccine has "taken." You've only lost a month if you do it now.

Uh...I know that sounds horrible, because you're still two months out for February. These things are scary and awful. One of my two disappeared in May and missed his rabies booster, so now, even if by some miracle he turns up, I'd have to start from scratch.

Again, I'm no expert, check with Defra but you don't have to wait one month after vaccinating to draw the blood. People generally wait, as Stoatula said, just to be sure the vaccine has had time to produce an adequate antibody titer. If your cat has had rabies vaccinations in the past, then the titer should be fine anyway and you'll be OK, if not, you have probably drawn too early and the titer levels will be too low. Maybe you could consider getting blood redrawn and sent off now if this was the cats first vaccination. Regardless of any of this, you have to wait 6 months after blood was drawn to travel, which would be end of march at the earliest.

As for the paperwork, make sure your vet clearly states that the microchip was inserted BEFORE the vaccination was given, as it was the same day.

Good luck - I hope it all works out for you!

I really want to bring my kitty cat with me but I have so many worries.  He was adopted about 6 weeks ago from the pound and it has taken almost the entire 6 weeks to get used to us and really become a part of the family.  He doesn't adapt well to change or anything tramatic because of what has happened to him in the past.  I'm planning to move in March and he hasn't been micro-chipped yet.  He has his rabies vaccine, but I know he'll have to have another one after the microchip.  I know the flight to the UK is going to be tramatic enough for him, but I don't want him to be stuck in a cage for a month, or longer, depending on when I can get everything taken care of.  Are there any airlines that allow you to bring your cat on board with you?  I can't stand the thought of him being trapped in the belly of an aircraft with no heat for 7 hours...and that's just the major leg of our trip...not counting the other connecting flights we will have to take.  How does it work once he gets there?  Will he be quaranteened close to where I live?  Will I be able to go visit him?  Will he get quality vet care if he gets sick while there?  I love my kitty to death and he's like a son to me...but my bestfriend is an animal rescuer and I know she would either keep him or find him a good home if I can't take him with me.  I don't want to do anything to further tramatize him...and I've heard plenty of horror stories about animals on airplanes and in quaranteens.  Does anyone have any good news for me?  I don't want to leave my kitty behind, but I know I have to do what's best for him.

Thank you guys for replies. Accidentally my cat had his rabbies shot in July (as his annual check-up) and that was before we knew that we might be moving to the UK.  I also called Defra today, and they said it was "not required", also my cat's result from previous blood draw came back and they were negative. But just in case I will take him for re-draw again today. Thanks for mentioning about the order of procedures, I did explaint that to the vet, so we should be covered on that point.

Thank you guys for replies. Accidentally my cat had his rabbies shot in July (as his annual check-up) and that was before we knew that we might be moving to the UK.  I also called Defra today, and they said it was "not required", also my cat's result from previous blood draw came back and they were negative. But just in case I will take him for re-draw again today. Thanks for mentioning about the order of procedures, I did explaint that to the vet, so we should be covered on that point.

Sorry, but what does a 'negative' result mean exactly, and how does DEFRA know this? 

The blood samples go to a lab in Kansas, tested for a certain concentration of serum and get returned to the vet that submitted the sample and paperwork.

DEFRA doesn't do anything except look at your paperwork when you get to the UK.

BTW I just went through the process myself.

Sorry, I can see how my post is confusing. I mean my vet already got the results back from Kansas and they were ok. Defra just said that "it was not necessary" to wait 1 month between the rabbies test (after the micro chip implant) and the titre blood draw. I also just consulted with an international pet moving company and they said that the waiting period is only recommended for young animals who have not had a rabbies shot before.

Glad you're sorted 

For Smith925, there are plenty of posts about pets in cargo.. they get heat and oxygen and sound insulation just like we do.  It's probably nicer in their area than in an economy seat!  Get the process started soon and you won't need to deal with quarantine issues.. unless you have to move in less than 6 months.  My cat spent a few weeks in quarantine in Japan a few years ago, the level of care was excellent, but the prices were high.

I hear you. My cat was feral as a kitten -- really, I caught her just in time (with a squirrel trap!) -- and it took me years to make a lap cat of her. I know the trip is going to be rough on her. But apparently the carriers do everything they can to minimize anxiety in the hold.

I mean, it wouldn't take too many snooty rich people arriving to find their pets traumatized before changes were made to procedure 

I mean, it wouldn't take too many snooty rich people arriving to find their pets traumatized before changes were made to procedure 

It's that train of thought that's keeping me sane in advance of traveling with my cats in 3 weeks!      I keep telling myself that if it was completely hideous that this board (and the internet in general) would be clogged with outraged pet owners.  Instead, I find success stories! 

I've even forced myself to look at the reports the airlines make when something does go wrong, and the vast majority are preventable (wrong cage type seems to be the worst offender) and I can remind myself that I'm doing absolutely everything in my power to make sure my cats are safe and sound. 

I will be SO glad when this is over, though.