US Micro Chip Issues

My pup has a US Avid mircochip and is current on all his rabbies. He actual got re-vaccinated 2 weeks ago. I called DFRA regarding his US microchip vs getting and ISO one they said I would have to bring and AVID scanner with me in order for his US Micro chip to 'count'. So, we got the ISO mircochip put in on Monday, and now we have to get him re vaccinated( we have to wait a week since he was just vaccinated) and wait 10 days for his blood work. Does this sounds right?

If he's been vaccinated 2 weeks ago (I'm guessing 3x now? Current vaccine given sometime, re-vac done 2 weeks ago, re-re-vac done Monday?) you should be fine to do the bloodwork whenever you want.

Both my boys had current 3yr vaccines from Nov 08. I had to re-vac them to start the process in June 09 because my cat's microchip couldn't be scanned. I waited 12 days after that, just to be safe, and they still tested well over the minimum required limit.

The issue with the double-microchip is that, as Reinedeluz said, the chips can conflict with each other so that neither one can be read, and it's confusing for DEFRA as to which is the "valid" chip.

The reason DEFRA gave me was that if they are scanned at the airport - and the wrong chip gets picked up - you are in for a whole heap of problems and may have to end up going through quarantine again. The reason given to me by the microchip representative was that if the microchips end up close to each other, the frequencies will interfere with each other somehow and possibly not be scannable (I of course can't remember exactly what he said now...).

So, Monday will be his third vac. He was vac'ed as a puppy and we got his yearly booster 2 weeks ago (before we knew we were moving to the UK). I called DEFRA to ask about having to give him the third vac (on Monday) and they said I must re-vac once he has his new micro-chip.  Since the Vet is leary of giving him another Vac she insisted we wait until Monday since he just got his 2nd vac. Are you confused yet? My main question is that DEFRA won't question the time-frame from his 3rd vac and the blood test (if I do both on the same day) they only care that it comes back over the required limits? If it comes back too high since he has had tons of vaccination in a short period of time, will they question it?

Also, I just have to have the vet fill out the Third Country Vet Certificate to bring him in OR am I missing something.

Since the Vet is leary of giving him another Vac she insisted we wait until Monday since he just got his 2nd vac. Are you confused yet?

No, that makes sense, I wasn't thrilled about giving my boys a 2nd vac when they were already current.

My main question is that DEFRA won't question the time-frame from his 3rd vac and the blood test (if I do both on the same day) they only care that it comes back over the required limits?

That's right. As long as you can prove (via vet signing off on the EC 998 form) that you did it in the following order:
1. microchip
2. vaccine
3. blood draw

DEFRA only cares about the order, and that the paper you get back from Kansas with the bloodwork results has a physical sticker on it saying the result is above the 0.5IU/mL.

If it comes back too high since he has had tons of vaccination in a short period of time, will they question it?

I don't think there really is such a thing, it's just pass/fail. My boys were both over 2IU/mL and the USDA vet had no problems with it.

Also, I just have to have the vet fill out the Third Country Vet Certificate to bring him in OR am I missing something.

You have to have your vet (who should be USDA approved) fill out the first 5 sections of the EC 998 form (+ the section below for his/her signature/info). Then you take it to your USDA vet for endorsement, which starts the 4 month window for when the pet can travel (so my form got signed Jan 4, which means they're good to travel through May 4 2010). Then 24-48hrs before the flight you get the tick/tapeworm treatment done at your vet, and fill out sections 6-7, and you're good. (You'll want to check with the airlines to see if they want anything else, a lot want a health certificate saying the pet is OK to fly.)

Hope that helps.

just a suggestion......i printed off all the info on the DEFRA website.....made a copy for myself and for my vet.......of course ive only read 1.2 million times and still confused lol........all jokes aside i found it a very good reference for me......check out pettravelstore.com as they seem to have good prices on scanners......my babies go on feb 2nd for their rabies vaccines.......wish us much luck with our processing please......steff

I have also read the DEFRA website like a million times. Since we already got the ISO mircochip we are going to re-vac our little guy on Monday and get the blood work.

if im not mistaken i think the 15 numbers are ISO but there are others on here that can offer answers too

Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow CAN read Home Again chip

I almost paid to rent a special chip reader to take over with my dogs to Heathrow.  Turns out the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow has a microchip reader that will read the Home Again chip.  I called them on several occasions to confirm.  

We arrived at Heathrow on 2 December and had no problems

is your vet reading your micro chip each visit........mine had to purchase a scanner for ours.......all my process in falling into perfect order.....so far.....lol..........best of luck

wishing you all the best

I glad to learn that they do have a chip reader that can read the microchip that my dog got.  That does calm me down a bit.   It just came to mind today that I should check the microchip to be sure it's correct at this point, I don't want any mistakes.  Thanks for being so helpful and letting me know about it.  *hugs*

Just wanted to confirm this. I just spoke with the folks at the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre and they confirmed that they can read any microchip, so there's no need to buy/rent your own scanner*.

*Note: I only spoke to the people at Heathrow, I don't know if other PETS arrival points are similarly equipped.