Valid Vaccines Keep Pets Safe & Departure Ready!
Keeping vaccinations for our pets up-to-date is not only essential to protect our pets from dangerous and highly fatal viral diseases, but is also key to being able to take pets overseas or to other cities in China.
Even with the most meticulous planning, situations can arise that are beyond our control. And this may mean leaving earlier than planned due to employment or family emergencies or airline ticketing issues. Pets with expired vaccinations could face travel delays of one to six-months or more.
ICVS answers your most frequently asked questions about pet vaccinations and ensuring your pets are healthy and safe and “departure ready.”
Q: Which vaccines do my pets need?
A: Core vaccines for dogs are:
Rabies vaccine
Canine distemper vaccine (usually the DHPPL-CV, 8-part vaccines available in China which protects against canine distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, coronavirus and leptospirosis)
Core vaccines for cats are:
Rabies vaccine
Feline distemper vaccine (known as the FVRCP or three-in-one vaccine available in China which protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia)
All vaccinations are valid for one year in China and must be renewed annually.
Q: What is the difference between a primary vaccination and a booster vaccination?
A: A primary vaccination may be the pet’s first time receiving the vaccine (e.g., puppies and kittens). A series of vaccines may be given as a primary vaccination (first distemper vaccine) followed by additional booster vaccines (e.g., 2nd distemper and 3rd distemper vaccines for puppies and kittens).
An “annual booster” is a vaccination given before the expiration date of the previous year’s vaccination.
Q: If my pet had a 3-year vaccine from overseas, do I still need to vaccinate my pet annually?
A: Yes. As China is an endemic country for rabies, canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, canine coronavirus, feline distemper virus, etc., core vaccinations are required annually. China does not recognize the 3-year vaccines from overseas once the pet has been imported to China.
Q: What happens if my pet’s vaccinations expire?
A: If the vaccination expires before an annual booster vaccination is given, then the next vaccination is considered a “primary” vaccination.
For pets that are traveling, this may mean a waiting period after the primary rabies vaccination of at least one month (30-days) or as long as six months (180 days) or more, if the previous vaccination has expired. The length of the waiting period after the primary rabies vaccination is given will depend on import regulations of the destination country.
Q: How early can I re-vaccinate my pet?
A: It is safe to re-vaccinate pets earlier than the expiration date. Scheduling your pet’s annual vaccinations at least one month or more before the expiration date is recommended. Each time you renew vaccinations, they will be valid for one year. So vaccinating your pets well before the expiration date will help ensure your vaccinations remain continuously valid.
Q: How does the rabies vaccination affect the rabies antibody titre test?
A: Pets who are microchipped and rabies vaccinated may complete rabies antibody titre testing at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination date. For pets who have passed the rabies antibody titre test, the test is only valid as long as the rabies vaccinations do not expire and are kept up-to-date annually. Once the rabies vaccination expires, the rabies antibody titre test becomes void and must be repeated. For pets going to the EU/UK and other countries, this will require at least 4.5 to 5 months of preparation. The pet will need to receive a new rabies vaccination and then wait at least 30 days before undergoing the rabies antibody titre test. From the date of the blood draw for the rabies antibody titre test, the pet must wait at least 90 days before entering the EU/UK.
Having valid vaccinations for your pet is like having a valid travel visa. If you have a valid visa, you can leave China and enter your destination country whenever you need to travel.
Please contact ICVS for information about legal vaccinations for pets, official rabies vaccination certificates and officially authorized rabies antibody titre testing for pets.
The International Center for Veterinary Services is an officially designated animal vaccination hospital and can provide the required legal rabies vaccination and official vaccination certificate for export, microchipping and rabies antibody titre testing for EU, UK, UAE, USA, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and all other countries. ICVS is delighted to provide this service for all pet owners!
Please register for the ICVS online “Departing From China With Pets" information session by emailing:
reception@icvsasia.com
Online sessions are FREE and hosted every weekend in English and Chinese.
Please check the ICVS web site for next "Departing From China With Pets" information session dates:
www.ICVSASIA.com
ICVS Non-Profit Humane Animal Welfare Programs:
Please support and donate to the ICVS Non-Profit Humane Animal Welfare Programs:
http://www.icvsasia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=62&Itemid=91&lang=en
Donations may be made directly on the ICVS web site through
PayPal: www.ICVSASIA.com
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Your donations support ICVS in helping the many stray/rescued/abandoned/rehomed and shelter animals in our community. The pets receive world-class medical care, treatments, good nutrition and socialization with love and compassion that allows them to become healthy adoptable pets!
Please contact the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) for more information about the many adoptable pets waiting for homes and how to take pets to other countries or to other cities. Because pets are for life!
International Center for Veterinary Services
No. 13-16 Rong Ke Gan Lan Cheng Shang Jie, Fu Tong Xi Da Jie, Wangjing, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100102 (Across the street from the Mercedes Benz Tower & behind the Smile Angel Children’s Hospital)
地址：北京新天地国际动物医院,
北京市朝阳区望京阜通西大街融科橄榄城商街13-16号
Tel: (010) 8456-1939, 8456-1940
Email: reception@ICVSASIA.com
Website: www.ICVSASIA.com
Dialog WeChat: ICVSASIA
Official WeChat: ICVSCHINA
