Hi all,
I'm having a minor panic attack this morning. We are moving to Zurich on May 30th from the US. We are bringing our 10 year old cat with us. From what I have read, she just needs a rabies vaccine that should be given after getting a 15-digit microchip. The rabies vaccine must be at least 21 days before travel.
I downloaded the declaration forms and model vet certificate to look over them today to see what the vet needs to fill out and do. I saw that there is a space for a blood titer test, which has to be done 30 days after the rabies vaccine and 3 months before travel?! I've been scouring the FSVO page looking for official instructions about this and can't seem to find the right information. From other non-official sites, I see that the titer test is only necessary if you are coming from a high-risk for rabies country.
Can anyone who has moved to Switzerland with cats from the US or other low-risk rabies country confirm or deny that I do NOT need to get the blood titer test for my cat?
I'm just panicking a little bit right now because it is less than 3 months before our move date and I'll have to make other arrangements to move our kitty if I actually do need the titer test.
Thanks in advance! Also, if you'd be willing to share your moving experiences with pets or direct me to a thread where this has been extensively discussed, that would be wonderful as well.
I'm sorry you're so stressed. I would go directly to your vet - surely they have all the necessary up-to-date pet vaccination information for travel? I don't see why an antibody assessment thingy - that's what it is, right, or am I confused? - would be needed if your pet is properly vaccinated in the right time frame. Meloncollie is who you need - hopefully she'll be along soon.
Good luck.
Rufus
Thanks, RufusB.
I should further clarify that my cat has not had the rabies vaccine before since she is an indoor only cat. She has no chance to be exposed because we live on the 7th floor of our building and as far as I know she doesn't know how to use the elevator.
Anyways, we are getting her microchipped and vaccinated this month so we will be in good shape for the move unless I need the titer test. Then we are screwed...
For questons on the import process, it would be wise to go directly to the source, the BLV. Don't rely on third party advice - including my post here.
To make it easier for you, the BLV has an online tool to show exactly what you need to do, conveniently in English.
http://blv.bytix.com/plus/dbr/default.aspx?lang=en
If you have questions beyond that, write the BLV. I have found them to be quite helpful, and they will respond in English if needed.
Gute Reise!
Thanks, meloncollie! It actually did not occur to me to just write to the BLV. Dealing with government entities in the US can be counterproductive much of the time so it would not occur to me to just ask the source directly. Haha...
However, I think I may have figured it out. I just used that online tool to compare requirements for a low-risk country vs. a high-risk country according to their risk list and the titration test does appear for the high-risk, but not low-risk country. Whew...