Prepping Your Pet for Travel in Toronto, ON
It's normal for pet owners to want to take their cats or dogs with them when they travel. Whether you're considering visiting another province or vacationing in another country, you may be required to show proof that your pet is healthy and up to date with their vaccinations to travel. If you're wondering what steps you need to take, our veterinary practice is here for you.
At Star Veterinary Hospital, we offer time-tested travelling pet services in Toronto that encompass everything from ensuring that your pet's vaccinations are up to date to providing you with a pet health certificate. You can rest assured that our skilled and compassionate team will work to make your cat or dog's time with us as relaxing and stress-free as possible. If you're ready to prepare your pet for travel, contact us today to schedule your next appointment!
CALL US: (416) 900-7827 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
Why Does My Pet Need a Health Certificate?
Preparing your pet for travel can be a time-intensive and stressful process. As such, you may spend so much time focusing on tasks like paying airline pet fees and packing their necessities that you may not think about what the province or country you're visiting requires of your pet. For cats and dogs alike, international and domestic travel often requires a certificate of veterinary inspection or a pet health certificate. Your pet's certificate confirms that your pet is in good health, up to date with their vaccinations, and won't pose a health risk to pets, livestock, and wild fauna. By receiving your pet health certificate, you reduce your chance of being turned away from your destination because of law noncompliance.
Some of the information contained in your health certificate may include your pet's:
- Name
- Age
- Breed
- Weight
- Microchip Number
- Vaccination Records
- Owner Details
Checking Your Pet's Health With Wellness Exams
When you bring in your pet for their appointment, our veterinary staff will start by conducting an extensive wellness exam. We'll look at their eyes, skin, fur, and teeth. From there, we'll ask you various questions about their behavior and health history. Have you noticed that your pet seems more lethargic than normal? Does your pet have any preexisting conditions, like diabetes or heart disease? Once our veterinary staff has confirmed that your pet is in good health, we'll provide you with your pet health certificate. We may also give you other necessary documents, like vaccination-specific papers.
Ensuring Your Pet Is Caught Up on Vaccinations
As part of our Toronto travelling pet services, we'll take the time to look at your pet's vaccination records and get them up to speed if there are any gaps in their history. By keeping your pet up to date with their vaccinations, you protect them from harmful parasites and viruses and any animals that come in contact with them while you're travelling. Some of the vaccinations we may provide your pet, depending on their species, include:
- Feline Rhinotracheitis: Feline rhinotracheitis or FVR is a highly contagious disease that affects the upper respiratory system of cats. Caused by feline herpes virus, FVR can cause long-term eye problems, bacterial infections, and respiratory complications. Unless your cat is fully vaccinated from FVR, they pose the risk of infecting other cats.
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough): One of the most common vaccines for dogs, the Bordetella vaccine is necessary for dogs that are exposed to other dogs either through boarding or in different social situations. If left unvaccinated, your dog can potentially spread kennel cough, a highly contagious respiratory disease.
- Feline Leukemia Virus: Feline leukemia virus, or FeLV, is an infectious disease in cats that causes cancer, blood disorders, and immune deficiency. Your cat must be vaccinated against FeLV well before you take it to travel. Although FeLV doesn't completely protect your pet from being infected, it significantly lowers its chances.
Travelling Pet FAQs
If you have any questions about our Toronto travelling pet services, our team is here for you. We'll answer your questions and give you the information you need to make confident decisions for your pet. Some of the most frequently asked questions about our travelling pet offerings include:
By researching your destination country's requirements, you can help facilitate a great trip for you and your pet. We highly recommend that you visit the agriculture website of the country you're going to, as many will include laws for pets alongside those for livestock.
Yes. Depending on your pet's age and species, various provinces and countries have distinct travel requirements. If you're planning on bringing a cat and dog with you when you travel, take time to research the requirements to ensure you understand them.
Yes. We recommend that you schedule your pet's pre-travel exam as soon as possible within your travel window required by your destination's authorities.
Your Office for Pet Health Certificates in Toronto
At Star Veterinary Hospital, we understand how enriching and fun it can be to take your pet travelling with you. That's why you must take the time to ensure your pet is in good health before taking them across province lines or into another country. Our practice proudly provides pet health certificates as part of our travelling pet services. Call or visit us today to schedule your pet's next appointment!
CALL US: (416) 900-7827 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
CFIA (Travelling with Pets):
https://inspection.canada.ca/travelling-with-pets-food-or-plants/eng/1573770102207/1573770205327
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