Pet Advice

Don’t lose your pet!

If your pet goes missing, it can mean days or weeks of worry for all involved, and some animals are never found. As a result, Oakfield is now advising all cat and dog owners to consider pet microchipping – a simple and effective means of identifying your pet wherever it goes.

The process is both quick and painless, involving the simple insertion of a tiny microchip into loose skin at the back of the animal’s neck.

The microchip contains a unique code, so when your cat or dog is found, a special scanner can be used to detect the microchip and read the code. These details are then fed into a computer and reveal address and contact information which ensures that your pet can be quickly returned to you.

Cat Microchipping laws have changed. All cats aged 20 weeks and older must have a microchip implanted or you could be fined. Microchipping is a permanent way of identifying any pet. It is a quick procedure that can be done in a routine appointment.

For full details or to arrange an appointment, contact us today.

Travelling with your pet

Here at Oakfield, we no longer offer certificates for pet travel. This includes AHC (Animal health certificates), passports, or exports. Our veterinarians need to take additional training and certification to be able to operate as an Official Veterinarian (OV) which gives them the legal ability to sign travel documents. Unfortunately, at this time, our previous OVs are no longer certified and cannot legally sign travel documents.

If you are considering travelling with your pet(s) we advise that you fully research as soon as possible into what you may need. While travel to the EU is relatively simple these days for cats and dogs, other countries and other animals can be quite complicated. We advise you look at the government website for the most up to date information, such as https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad or https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-a-noneu-country.

If you are travelling to an EU country, for no more than four months in total, then an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) will be suitable. We advise you to look into online companies such as https://www.petairuk.com or https://animalhealthcertificate.online. There are others available. You can also call around local clinics in the area in case someone is able to offer this service.

If the animal is not travelling with the owner, and the owner will not be with the animal within five days of travel abroad, an AHC is not applicable, and the owner will need to apply for an export certificate.

If you are travelling to a non-EU country you will need to apply for an export certificate. If you are travelling with the intention to not return to the UK, you will need to apply for an export certificate.

This certificate can be partially done with an online or export service, or you can call around local clinics to see who can help. The export certificate will then need to be requested through the government website. Some countries require very specific tests, usually blood sampling, but sometimes even faecal tests, at very specific times before travel, and some countries require more than six months of preparation for travel with pets. Some countries require certain treatments or products that must be provided by a vet, and if not in stock, we may need to order them.  Consider using a specialist pet export company to help with travel plans and timings, as this can be a very stressful event.

For travel within the EU:

You will need a confirmed working microchip and rabies vaccination at least 21 days before any certification can be done. Rabies vaccines given in the UK are valid for 3 years (unless more than three months is spent abroad in which case you need to check with that countries vaccine recommendations). We can still give rabies vaccinations at Oakfield vets. We can provide a document or sign a vaccination record card to confirm Rabies vaccine has been given, for you to then provide to the service provider for your travel documents.

An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) will need to be issued within 10 days of travel. An AHC is valid for up to 5 animals; cats, dogs or ferrets, and is valid for 4 months onwards travel within the EU. 

For return into the UK you will need a vet to sign that a tapeworm treatment has been given 1-5 days before returning. We suggest you locate a veterinary clinic in the area you have travelled to and book an appointment for this ahead of travel.

Small Mammals

(Rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, degus, etc.)

Travel setup:

• Use familiar substrate from their enclosure for comfort and scent
• Hay can be used for hiding but may poke eyes and cause ulcers
• Provide a cosy hide (plastic house or fabric pouch)
• A small amount of Pet Remedy can be sprayed onto a towel/blanket
• Do not spray directly on the pet, use only a small amount
• Ensure good ventilation

Stress reduction & handling:

• These species stress easily
• Habituate pets to the travel carrier in advance
• Gentle handling training for likely vet procedures is advised
• A species-experienced behaviourist can help (look for CCAB or FABC accreditation)

Transport tips:

• Place carrier securely fastened in the footwell to reduce movement
• Leave plenty of time — rushing increases stress

At the clinic:

Remember to bring a routine husbandry record (notepad or spreadsheet) if you keep one detailing regular weights and other important information about your pet.

Leave with plenty of time for the appointment, rushing adds undue stress.

If the clinic does not have separate waiting areas for exotics or is busy/loud, you can request for your pet to be placed in a quiet part of the practice as you wait for your appointment.

Birds

General stress reduction:

• It is important to reduce stress as much as possible for all birds. You can always enquire if the vet offers home visits.
• Regular health check visits by a trained veterinarian are advised at least yearly. A bird used to travel, handling, and examinations, will be less stressed in the unfortunate event they are also sick.
• Teach basic handling at home
• It is a good idea to teach your bird at home some basic handling likely to be performed at the vets. A CCAB or FABC certified behaviourist knowledgeable in the species will be a wealth of knowledge to give pointers on training these.

Travel cage setup:

• Escape-proof, not too large, minimal clutter, partially cover the cage to reduce visual stimulation (some birds prefer full darkness (but ensure ventilation)
• With sturdy perch attached low, (or towel-lined base if balance is poor)
• Use non-slip towel flooring
• Avoid loose substrates
• Hanging swinging toys may be unsafe during travel, but a piece of safe foliage especially for parrots that like shredding can help reduce stress.
• A safe shredding item (e.g. foliage) may reduce stress

For journeys over 30 minutes:

Offer a small amount of usual food in a shallow dish

Avoid water bowls (risk of soaking/chilling) but offer water regularly if travelling long distance). Ensure all items are secure and not heavy

Transport tips:

• Keep cage away from open windows and air vents, pre-warm car in winter (birds are cold-sensitive), secure cage with a seatbelt
• Bring a fresh faecal sample if possible
• Leave with plenty of time for the appointment, rushing adds undue stress.

If the clinic does not have separate waiting areas for exotics or is busy/loud, you can request for your pet to be placed in a quiet part of the practice as you wait for your appointment.

 Reptiles & Invertebrates

Carrier & setup:

• Use a secure, escape-proof, well-ventilated container, large enough for the animal to turn around comfortably, with familiar substrate from enclosure
• Remove food before travel, if possible, to reduce regurgitation risk (check with your vet if unsure)

Species-specific considerations:

• Snakes: pillowcase or familiar hide
• Lizards & Chelonia: hide and digging substrate
• Invertebrates: ensure nothing heavy can move or crush them
• Terrapins: may travel drydocked (bring separate tank water for testing)

Avoid sharp substrates (e.g. hay — eye injury risk)

Heating & temperature:

• There is no need to bring UV lighting for the visit, but heat should be provided (especially for long travel or in the colder months, though all year round to always maintain their comfortable temperature is advised). Heat can be provided in a variety of forms with the aim of providing a warm and a cool end for the animal to thermoregulate:

Heat options: Microwaveable heat pad (e.g. Snuggle safe), covered hot water bottle, “Hot hands” (warm water in glove, wrapped safely). Use a temperature probe. Heat sources can be reheated or made at the practice) Check heat sources regularly to ensure they are not too hot.

Travel tips:

• Minimise temperature fluctuations, ensure adequate ventilation
• Plan route, drive slowly, park close to clinic
• Keep container covered for warmth and darkness, avoid direct sunlight
• Bring to the appointment details of enclosure setup (temperatures, supplements and expiry dates, heating and UV bulb types and replacement dates, routine health logs of weights, shedding, defecation etc)
• Recent faecal sample (refrigerated if collected in advance)

Fish & Aquatic Invertebrates

Transport water:

• Use aquarium water, not fresh or untreated tap water
• Consider a partial water change before travel to reduce waste
• Do not feed just before transport to reduce defecation in the travel container

Container setup:

• Ensure a suitable size of container for the species (check with your vet if you are unsure), and around a third of the container should be air. For very long trips consider a portable air pump or oxygen canister/stone to maintain dissolved oxygen.
• Tropical fish will benefit from keeping water at a stable temperature in their normal range. A temperature gauge is advised. Heat can be provided externally with a microwaveable heating pad (such as a Snuggle safe) or a hot water bottle.
• Minimise temperature fluctuations as these can be very stressful.

Travel tips:

• Secure container safely in the car - footwell placement reduces movement
• Drive as slowly and smoothly as possible
• Keep the container covered to insulate heat in and the darkness helps reduce stress of transport. A polystyrene box can be useful to place the container in if available.

Bring to the clinic separate container of tank water (≈20 ml+) for testing

Recent faecal sample if available (refrigerated until visit)

After the visit:

Acclimate fish slowly back to home temperature and water chemistry