Vaccines and Health Checks for Spanish Rescue Dogs
Bringing a new dog into your home is one of the most rewarding experiences, especially when it means giving a second chance to a rescue dog from Spain. However, ensuring that your furry friend can enter the UK safely and healthily involves more than just a rabies vaccine. From understanding government regulations to recognising the benefits of additional vaccinations like the Canigen DHPPi and essential blood tests, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to adopt a Spanish rescue dog.
The Importance of the Rabies Vaccine
When it comes to bringing a dog into the UK, the rabies vaccine is non-negotiable. The UK is rabies-free and to ensure this continues all dogs entering Great Britain, including those from Spain, must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before entry. This mandate is designed to protect both the incoming dog and the local ecosystem from the potential spread of rabies, a disease that is fatal in both dogs and humans.
Should my rescue dog be vaccinated against anything else?
While the rabies vaccine is crucial, it is not the only vaccination your Spanish rescue dog should have. The shelter we work with in Spain also vaccinates their dogs with the Canigen DHPPi vaccine. This vaccination covers a range of common canine diseases, ensuring that your new pet arrives in the UK in the best possible health.
What Is Canigen DHPPi and Why Is It Important?
The Canigen DHPPi vaccine offers protection against several serious diseases:
Distemper: A contagious and potentially fatal virus affecting a dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
Hepatitis (Adenovirus): Causes liver disease and can lead to severe complications.
Parvovirus: Highly contagious and often deadly, causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
Parainfluenza: Contributes to kennel cough, a highly infectious respiratory disease.
By vaccinating with Canigen DHPPi your dog is safeguarded against these dangerous conditions, reducing the risk of severe illness. This vaccine is an essential part of a comprehensive health programme that prepares your dog for a new life in the UK.
The Importance of Blood Tests
When an adoption is confirmed, we also request a series of blood tests to screen for various diseases. These tests are crucial for identifying potential health issues that could affect your dog's well-being. We request blood tests for the following diseases-
Babesia Canis: A tick-borne disease that affects red blood cells, causing anaemia and other complications.
Brucella Canis: A bacterial infection that can cause reproductive issues and other health problems.
Leishmania: Caused by sandfly bites, this disease can lead to severe skin lesions and organ damage.
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum (Anaplasmosis): Another tick-borne illness, affecting white blood cells.
Filaria (Heartworm): A potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the heart and lungs.
Ehrlichia Canis: Transmitted by ticks, causing a range of symptoms from fever to blood disorder.
Borrelia Burgdorferi (Lyme Disease): Affects joints and can lead to long-term health issues.
This thorough approach provides peace of mind as you welcome your Spanish rescue dog into your family. Some UK vets require dogs from overseas to be tested for Brucella Canis before they can be seen, this blood test is done in Spain and you are given the results to keep and pass on to your vet should this be required.
Peace of Mind for New Owners
Knowing that your new dog has been checked and vaccinated before arriving in the UK can provide immense peace of mind. A comprehensive health check and vaccination programme lays the groundwork for a healthy future.
Adopting a rescue dog from Spain is an amazing thing to do however it is essential to be aware of these additional vaccinations and tests, and not all rescues will provide these. The rabies vaccine may be the only vaccine required for a dog to enter Great Britain, but is it responsible to import dogs without additional vaccinations and checks?
If you’re interested in adopting a dog from Spain or want to learn more about Spanish rescue dogs please get in touch. Together, we can make a difference, one happy tail wag at a time.
By adopting a rescue dog from Spain, you’re not just getting a pet, you’re gaining a loyal companion and embarking on an incredible journey of compassion and transformation.
Adopting a dog from Spain is more straightforward than you might think, we deal with everything for you and with full Rescue Backup with lifetime support, we are there for you from adoption and every day after that.
