First time over the channel with my dog!

The Defra regulations state:  

A vet must treat your dog for tapeworm and record it in the pet passport every time you want to bring it to the UK.

The treatment must have been given no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before you enter the UK. Your dog can be refused entry or put into quarantine if you don’t follow this rule.

You can either visit a vet near to your campsite, or en-route, but make absolutely sure it's within the above time frame and that the vet completes the paperwork properly.  Most French vets have a 'turn up' surgery, but some campsite receptions will keep a list and will make an appointment for you.

The pet will be scanned at the Pet check-in at the French Eurotunnel terminal - so make sure you allow extra time for this.  There is now a 'drive-in' section, where you simply drive through, are handed a scanner, hand back the scanner and your documents, and if the chip reads correctly you can go through.  A good idea is to take your pet to the vet just before you go to make sure the chip is working.

I've done this a few times with the dog now, just to france though, and just popped in to a vet nearby where we were staying and checked they could do the passport and booked an appointment that was with in the 5days of returning to the uk to bring them in to get the passports signed. It cost 86 euros per dog so a bit steep, I dont know if other vets would have been cheaper.

You do have to be careful and ensure the correct sections have been completed, signed and stamped. On our way home a couple had 7 dogs, and the vet had not stamped one of the passports and they had to go to the vets again before being alowed to board the eurotunnel.

I also baught a dog from netherlands and the breeder got the passport and the worming treatment had been put into the incorrect section, I chanced it and was turned away at the pet check in. I had to go to a vet, the port provided details of a local vet that was open and they charged 27 euros to sign the passport in the worming section and didn't even look at th dog! I missed the departure but they give you a pass when you've had an issue with the pet passport and let you on the next avaliable crossing.

It can be easy if every thing it filled in ok, and its nice to bring the dogs away.

It cost 86 euros per dog so a bit steep,

My son paid just 11 euros for his dog (he took his own treatment) and the vet gave him a Scalibor collar to try, too! He'd been given samples to hand out by the company which sells them!  That was at a small vet's practice in Ruoms in the Ardeche

We pay about 30 euros, but always go to the same vets, (3 times a year) and pay in cash. !

We have paid between €10 and €30 in Germany. The nearer you get to Calais the higher the price.....

We paid about 35 euros at Chalons-en-Champagne - we've used the same vet a few times now and I know they are used to doing the pet passport so we haven't had any problems.  I've always booked the appointment well in advance by email from home before the holiday.

David 

Have a look at this <MAP> for Vets that will do the worming treatment 1-5 days before the return tunnel.

It gives the address, Tel No and approx cost of treatment.

If you kind people would like to spend a few minutes giving details of the Vets you've used in the last year or two I'll add them to the Google Map (link in previous post).

€86 is down and out robbery and if my map can save others from being exploited, because that's what it is, then it will serve a helpful purpose.

But I need details of the address, price, opening hours and ease of parking to improve and expand the map.

Any help appreciated.

Travelling to Italy in June via the tunnel with car and caravan. Obviously need a pet passport, but how do you go about vet checks for return trip two weeks later? Advice please!

A couple of things to be aware of:

- Italy is one of the places where Leishmaniasis is found.  Also some other nasty things like Lyme disease make protection from ticks desirable.  Fore those reasons a Scalibor collar or something equivalent is strongly recommended.  This site gives a good guide.

- Italy isn't quite as dog friendly as the rest of europe and public transport often requires the dog be muzzled.  Take one just in case.

- The best way to organise vet checks is to get the campsite reception to make the booking for you.  WHilst most (not all!) vets speak some english the same cannot be said of their receptionists :-)

- After the vet has signed and stamped the pet passport check and double check that they've done it correctly.  If you only find out when at pet passport control then it's usually too late to do anything other than get it done again and postpone your return.

I agree that €86 is extortionate.  €30-40 per dog including tablets seems to be the going rate,  Even so it's money for old rope for the vets.

PS: please don't be put off by the above - it's quite straightforward really and the dogs will love it

Keith, I notice on your map you state you do not need an appointment for the Clinic Vet Courteline in Chateauroux. This is not so, this year I had to make an appointment.

peedee