There are many UK based charities which focus on importing dogs in need of loving homes from outside the UK. Getting any pet is a huge commitment and there are some extra considerations to make if you decide to adopt an imported dog. Particularly, there are some canine diseases which are prevalent in mainland Europe but rarely seen in the UK, such as Leishmaniasis, that can have lasting health implications for an infected dog. For an owner, thinking practically, this means more trips to the vets, increased medical bills and has effects on your pet’s insurance cover. It’s very important, when getting any pet, to consider the various factors that will impact on their life with you, so this post is not to discourage anyone from adopting a foreign rescue (we see so many wonderful pets who are from abroad!). However, for many owners, these potential health issues and their implications come as a shock, so this article is being written to provide some guidance on what to consider when adopting a rescue from abroad, as well as give guidance on how best to look after them and their health, as well as your own, if you do choose to adopt a foreign rescue.
What diseases are imported dogs screened for?
Importing foreign rescues actually comes with very little regulation. Other than confirmation of vaccination against rabies and tapeworm treatment, there are no other health screening requirements for importing dogs into the UK from Europe. The only way of confirming if a potential rescue is carrying a harmful disease is with a screening blood test, conducted at the right time interval – carrying it out too close to their possible exposure can result in a false negative. Any screening tests therefore have to be carried out either by charities as an additional measure before adopting out a dog, or by the new owner after they have already adopted them. If you are considering adopting a foreign rescue and the charity has not carried out any screening tests, this is something to be aware of when considering the process; it may be worth discussing the available options with the charity you are considering.
What diseases can affect imported dogs?
Whilst there are many diseases that imported dogs may suffer from, the most common are listed below.
Brucella canis
Brucella canis is spread through contaminated tissues and fluid, particularly those associated with breeding. It can also be shed in bodily fluids such as urine, blood and saliva. A lot of foreign rescues are originally unneutered street dogs, so they spread Brucella canis between each other when they mate, and from mum to pup if they give birth, making it particularly prevalent in European countries with high stray populations (which also tend to be the countries that foreign rescues come from).
In dogs, brucellosis may not result in any obvious symptoms but causes reproductive issues such as infertility and abortions as well as muscle weakness, lethargy and premature aging. The biggest concern is that Brucella canis is a zoonotic pathogen and can be passed to humans, leaving owners and veterinary professionals at risk of infection. More can be read about the impact of Brucella canis on humans here. Unfortunately, infected dogs are infected for life; there is no effective elimination treatment for the disease. Sadly, the only way to completely ensure no risk of transmission is euthanasia, although owners of infected dogs can also choose to undertake measures to reduce transmission, such as antibiotic therapy and neutering; these options and their risks should be discussed with your veterinarian following diagnosis.
Due to the risk of transmission to humans, many external laboratories (the places where your pet’s blood, urine, faeces and histology samples are sent to for interpreting and diagnosis) and referral centres (where your pet receives specialist care for illnesses or injuries) now require pre-screening tests for Brucella canis prior to handling any high risk samples or patients who have been imported from outside the UK, in order to reduce the risk of transmission to their staff and the potentially devastating consequences on their health. This means treatment or diagnostics could be delayed due to the requirement for this testing if it has not already been undertaken. It is very likely that the requirement for pre-screening will become standard across the UK, including your local veterinary practice; this will allow your pet to access all the care they need without delay, protect your veterinary team and also protect you, as the person who may be unknowingly living with a dog that is infected.
We recommend that anyone who has an imported dog undertakes a Brucella canis screening test. This involves a blood sample being taken and sent to the Animal, Plant and Health Agency (APHA) laboratory, which can take up to 20 days to provide the results. This is best undertaken 3 months after last possible exposure, so usually once they have been in the UK for 3 months, as this is how long it can take Brucella canis to show up on a blood test. This screening test can be used as proof of negative testing for the remainder of your dog’s life, provided they do not travel outside the UK again. Performing a screening test early means no delays should your dog require urgent diagnostic testing or referral in the future.
Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is a disease spread by sandflies and is prevalent in the Mediterranean, as sandflies prefer warmer climates. Leishmaniasis is a chronic disease which can present with no clinical signs for months or even years after infection. Common symptoms include skin lesions, weight loss and depression and can lead to kidney failure. Leishmaniasis can be diagnosed with blood and urine tests and potentially tissue biopsies; the disease is then categorised into one of four stages which range from mild to very severe disease. Leishmaniasis cannot be cured, although symptoms can be treated with medication. The stage of the disease will dictate the treatment protocol and prognosis. Dogs with higher stage leishmaniasis unfortunately have a shorter life expectancy.
Leishmaniasis can be a difficult disease to monitor and manage and it is important to be aware of the implications this may have as an owner or potential owner, particularly as dogs with active symptoms may require extensive treatment and testing, which carries significant costs. Once the symptoms are under control, because the Leishmania remains in the system, they can have recurring flare ups so ongoing monitoring is also needed.
Tick borne diseases
Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis are both diseases spread by ticks and whilst rare in the UK, are endemic in central and southern Europe. Imported rescue dogs are particularly at risk as they are unlikely to have had regular tick prevention throughout their lives and have originated from areas where the diseases are prevalent. Infection can be diagnosed through blood tests or tissue biopsies and whilst both diseases are treatable, they can cause serious illness.
Will my pet insurance cover the costs?
When you take out a pet insurance policy, it covers your pet for any future conditions they may be diagnosed with. Any conditions which began before you took the policy out are called ‘pre-existing’ and will not be covered. This does not just include diagnosed issues, but any which presented with symptoms or were present before taking the policy out. For example, if your dog is infected with Leishmaniasis, which can only have occurred before their import to the UK, your insurance company are likely to consider this to be pre-existing and may not cover any diagnostics or treatment associated with the disease. When taking out a policy for a dog which has been imported, it is worth telephoning the insurance company you are considering to discuss whether they would cover it or not, and to examine the policy documents in detail.
What should I do to prepare for adopting a foreign rescue?
- Vet the rescue centre or charity thoroughly and ensure they are a legitimate rehoming centre.
- Ask questions about the dog’s origin and how long they will have been in the UK for before being rehomed.
- Confirm whether they have been vet checked, vaccinated, neutered and treated for parasites.
- Ask about pre-screening blood tests for leishmaniasis and Brucella canis. The test for Brucella canis must be performed at least 3 months after their arrival in the UK.
- Ask about their temperament, behaviour and any concerns the rescue centre has. In the UK, dogs are often with a rescue centre for some time whilst they are assessed prior to rehoming. With foreign rescues, there may not be an opportunity between import and rehoming for the rescue centre to adequately assess any behavioural needs.
- Check with your vet about the cost of pre-screening blood tests if the rescue centre has not performed these. It may also be worth checking with your vet to see if they require any pre-screening tests before seeing an imported dog.
- Look into an insurance policy for rescue pets.
- Ensure you are able to afford any care not covered by your dog’s insurance policy.
Adoption is an incredible way to provide amazing recue dogs that need loving homes with the chance to become our most wonderful companions. We love seeing those that have had a tough start in life thriving with a new family. When considering adopting from abroad, it’s important for your and their health that you are aware of the aspects of their care that aren’t always spoken about before adoption, and to be aware of the steps you should take early on to help protect them and you.
Call us on 01435 864422 if you have questions about adopting a foreign rescue.
