Vaccines and blood tests

Rabies vaccination is a requirement for entry into almost every country worldwide. If you're planning to travel abroad with your pet, this is likely to be the first vaccination you'll need to arrange. In the UK, the rabies vaccine is not routinely included in annual vaccinations for cats and dogs, so it’s often a new requirement for many pet owners.

After the initial rabies vaccination, most countries will require a mandatory waiting period before your pet is allowed to travel. This period varies by destination — typically around 21 days, though some countries have much longer requirements. For example, New Zealand mandates a six-month waiting period.

Rabies vaccines are generally valid for one to three years, but it’s important to note that not all countries recognise three-year vaccines. Some may also require the vaccination to be administered within a specific time frame before travel, therefore depending on which country you are travelling too you will be advised accordingly.

As the name suggests, the DHPP vaccine is for dogs only. It’s a combination vaccine that protects against three serious diseases: distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus. While not every country requires this vaccination for entry, many do — and in the UK, it’s commonly included as part of your dog’s routine annual vaccinations.

For dogs over 12 weeks old, a single DHPP vaccination typically offers protection for up to three years before a booster is needed.

Commonly known as "Lepto," this core vaccination is required by many countries for pet travel. While Lepto is routinely given in the UK, it is also one of the most frequently mis-administered vaccines, as to be considered valid for travel, the manufacturer's recommendations must be adhered too, which consists of two initial doses exactly 28 days apart.

To maintain annual validity, the annual booster must be administered no more than 12 months after the second dose. If this date is missed, the entire course should be restarted.

However, some UK veterinary practices may only administer a single initial dose, or fail to restart the full course after a break — contrary to manufacturer guidelines. As a result, your pet may appear up-to-date but still not meet international travel requirements.

To avoid delays or complications, it's important to ensure your pet's vaccination records are fully compliant — your travel consultant will guide you through what’s needed based on your destination.

While the Bordetella vaccine (commonly known as the Kennel Cough)  is not a requirement for international travel, it is widely recommended — particularly for dogs travelling to countries with mandatory quarantine upon arrival. In the UK, it is a common preventative vaccination.

We strongly advise that all travelling dogs are vaccinated against Kennel Cough to minimise the risk of respiratory infections during transit and quarantine stays.

If your pet will be boarding with us prior to departure, this vaccine is a mandatory requirement and must be administered at least 14 days before boarding. To maintain protection, annual boosters are required following the initial vaccination.

Rabies vaccination is a requirement for entry into almost every country worldwide. If you're planning to travel abroad with your pet, this is likely to be the first vaccination you'll need to arrange. In the UK, the rabies vaccine is not routinely included in annual vaccinations for cats and dogs, so it’s often a new requirement for many pet owners.

After the initial rabies vaccination, most countries will require a mandatory waiting period before your pet is allowed to travel. This period varies by destination — typically around 21 days, though some countries have much longer requirements. For example, New Zealand mandates a six-month waiting period.

Rabies vaccines are generally valid for one to three years, but it’s important to note that not all countries recognise three-year vaccines. Some may also require the vaccination to be administered within a specific time frame before travel, therefore depending on which country you are travelling too you will be advised accordingly.

Commonly referred to in combination as FVRCP, the most common vaccination that covers the three illnesses above is Nobivac TRIcat. This is a three-year vaccine, but only for one of the three elements; therefore, to keep the vaccine valid, you are required to administer DUOcat not more than 12 months after the initial vaccine. If the initial vaccine is year 0, then for years 1 and 2, you would use DUO Cat and then TRicat in the third year, restarting the process.

The initial vaccine itself is always two vaccines, 3-4 weeks apart. To comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations, the initial two courses must be administered, followed by the annual booster no later than 12 months later.

Protecting against cancer and anaemia, leukaemia is the other commonly requested travel vaccination, which again requires an initial dose, 3-4 weeks apart, with annual vaccinations thereafter. This can sometimes be combined with the FVRCP vaccination to provide multiple coverage; however, this is dependent on other factors and should be discussed with your vet.