5) ROMANIAN / OVERSEAS RESCUE DOGS: How to Choose a Romanian or Overseas Rescue Dog & Rescue Organisation, Part 3 of 4 - Tests, Treatments & Vaccinations.
- alexpatchworkpaws
- Jul 2, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 22, 2024
This time, we are going to pick up from blogs 1 & 2 in this part-work, where we talked about the importance of choosing a good 'rescue' (here I define 'rescue' as a UK based charity or non-profit, for the purpose of this blog) BEFORE picking an actual Romanian or overseas originating rescue dog to adopt.
So, this time we're going to focus on tests, treatments & vaccinations, which should also help you to select a preferred rescue to adopt from. Our primary focus here will be on Romanian rescue dogs.
Let's examine the rescue process first, from a tests, treatments & vaccinations perspective. In a nutshell, when a dog is rescued, the rescue will perform a number of initial tests, provide treatments & then retests (where applicable) vaccinations & spay/neuter (if not already done, depending on the health & age of the dog).
But what tests, treatments & vaccinations are needed?
When a dog arrives into rescue, a number of disease based tests should be conducted given the dogs unknown possible exposures & background. These tests should be repeated shortly before travel (ideally the day before) - this is VERY important!
The tests are as follows:
🐶 Anaplasma
Please see this link for further information:
🐶 Babesiosis
Please see this link for further information:
🐶 Brucella Canis (Brucellosis)
Please see this link for further information:
🐶 Ehrlichia Canis
Please see this link for further information:
🐶 Giardia
Please see this link for further information:
🐶 Heartworm
Please see this link for further information:
🐶 Leishmaniasis
Please see this link for further information:
Another test that might be included is:
🐶 Lyme Disease
Please see this link for further information:
We have included American website links here, specifically the VCA Animal Hospitals website, which does include some American specific information which may not be applicable to the UK. However, the information on this website is very good, clear & balanced, hence why we've included these links specifically. You are most welcome to research these further yourself.
So, just to reiterate, these tests should be conducted when a dog is first rescued by the rescue. If the dog is found to be positive, they should be treated accordingly & then retested - until a negative result is secured. These tests should then be REPEATED SHORTLY BEFORE TRAVEL (ideally the day before). This is very important to bear in mind, & you should check with the rescue that all of this is done - preferably, all officially documented. Most rescues will add such information to the dogs' passport or accompanying paperwork - signed, stamped & dated by the vet. You should be given the dog's passport & any accompanying paperwork upon collection or arrival of your new dog.
Some of these diseases that the dogs must be tested & retested for are zoonotic or potentially zoonotic, which means they could potentially affect a human; so it's very important to ensure that the dog is disease-free before they arrive with you - particularly if there is anyone in the household with a weakened immune system.
Also, it's an important safeguard if you already have other pets in your household.
Please also check that the rescue will provide the dog with de-worming treatment & de-fleaing treatment shortly before travel. These treatments should be repeated, after the dog's arrival, as guided by the rescue. It is also recommended that you check your new dog for ticks upon their arrival - once they are happy to be stroked & handled.
The rescue should provide the dog with a microchip. The rescue will either update it with your details for you, or they will ask you to update it as soon as possible after the dog's arrival.
With regards to vaccinations, the UK requires vaccinations against the following diseases for incoming overseas dogs (from within the EU):
🐶 Parvovirus
🐶 Distemper
🐶 Leptospirosis
🐶 Infectious Hepatitis
These are the core vaccinations in the UK.
You might also choose to ask the rescue about...
🐶 Kennel Cough vaccination
Since your dog will be coming from a country where Rabies is present or potentially present, & as an extra safeguard, your dog should also be vaccinated against...
🐶 Rabies
By law, all dogs originating from overseas must be vaccinated against Rabies & they must wait 21 days (or 3 weeks) after getting the vaccine before they can travel to the UK.
Some dogs, depending on the originating country, might also be required to have a Rabies blood test. For the latest rules & regulations on this, please consult the UK Government website.
Please click on this UK website link for further information about dog vaccinations:
Taking into account all of the information above, we would strongly recommend that you consider choosing a rescue based on who offers (or is willing to offer) the most comprehensive batch of tests, vaccinations, treatments & retests as listed above, before committing to adopting a dog from a particular rescue. You can also ask a rescue if you can pay for additional tests, treatments & vaccinations.
It is also worth noting that some UK vets might recommend a retest for Heartworm, Leishmaniasis & Brucella Canis six months after the initial test is negative.
Brucella Canis (B. Canis / B.C.) has very much been in the UK media spotlight in recent months. Some UK vets might require or recommend a retest for this disease before they will treat an Romanian or overseas rescue dog in their practice, regardless of the results of the first test in the dog's originating country.
📣 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT: This topic of Brucella Canis will be covered in more detail in our later blog articles entitled, "Brucella Canis". Please make sure you read these articles BEFORE you go any further with your decision-making process. Things have changed quite a lot since initially writing this article. 📣
We always recommend that you shop around for a UK vet as prices, requirements & recommendations do vary; as does the mindset towards Romanian & overseas originating rescue dogs.
**** PLEASE NOTE: To our knowledge, all information provided here is current as of the publication date, which is the 2nd July 2023, & is provided strictly as a GUIDELINE. Our primary focus here is on Romanian rescue dogs; please note: there may be other country specific tests & treatments required for non-Romanian overseas rescue dogs entering the UK.
We have done our best to include as much relevant information as possible, but we cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies found here or via the website links provided, or indeed any accidentally missed information.
We advise you to consult with the individual rescue & the UK Government website re: the 'commercial movement of animals', which is the section which deals with the movement of overseas rescue dogs to the UK - which is country of origin specific - to ensure the most up-to-date & relevant information.
We also recommend that you conduct your own additional research, particularly if you are interested in overseas dogs from countries other than Romania (as, again, our primary focus here is on Romanian rescue dogs).
This blog article is purely provided as a general guidance & advice resource & we don't profess to be experts in this area. We apologise in advance for any errors or inaccuracies found here or any accidental missed information. ****
Please feel free to post in the comments section below, should you feel we have missed off any important information that other new adopters might find useful. We welcome your comments & feedback.
In part 4 of this blog, we will be focussing on choosing the actual dog. So please do see part 4...
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🐶 Pictured is our handsome tripaw boy Hot Rod 🔥 (aka Rodney). He was rescued from a public shelter in Romania. 🥰
