CW // Content Warning: Some readers may find the content of this article upsetting.

We all want out pets to live long and happy lives. Unfortunately growing old is part of the journey and we would like to help you ensure that your pet's golden years are as comfortable as they can be. We are always happy to arrange a 'quality of life' discussion to help you decide if it is the right time to say goodbye. If your pet has been having ongoing treatment we may be able to discuss this over the phone. If we have not seen them for a little while we will arrange an appointment so that we can assess their condition. We understand how difficult these conversations are so please do not worry if you can’t discuss the subject without becoming emotional.

If further treatment options are not possible, or would not be in the best interests of your pet, we can arrange a final appointment. We usually try to book these at the start or end of appointment times so that the surgery is at its quietest. In some instances a home visit may be possible. It can be useful to decide ahead of the appointment whether you would like to create a final resting place for your pet in your garden, or let us arrange an individual or communal cremation. If you opt for a communal cremation, your pet's ashes will be scattered over a garden of remembrance. If you choose an individual cremation, the ashes will be returned to you a week or two later in either a small wooden casket or a biodegradable scatter tube.

You are welcome to bring additional family members or friends along to the final appointment.

Saying goodbye to a companion can leave a big space and if you are struggling with difficult emotions following the loss of a pet, the Blue Cross have a Pet Loss Support helpline which may be of comfort.

Blue Cross - Grief Support

If you would like to send us a photo and short memory of your pet we would be very honoured to add them to the 'Gone but not Forgotten' section of our website and help their memory live on.

Following our departure from the EU the Pet Passport is no longer valid for travel. You now need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) each time you travel within the EU.

The process for taking your pet to countries within the EU is now as follows:

1 Pets must be micro-chipped.
2 Pets must be vaccinated against Rabies – they need to be at least 12 weeks old before they can be vaccinated. They have to  then wait 21 days before travelling.
3 An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) needs be signed by an Official Vet (OV) no more than 10 days before travel.
4 Tapeworm treatment is required for entry into Norway, Malta, Finland and Ireland, and return to the UK.

The AHC is a dual language certificate issued in English and the language of the point of entry into the EU, therefore it is important you let us know which country you are first travelling to within the EU.

To complete an AHC we need your pet’s micro-chipping date and Rabies vaccination history. We have to take copies of these documents for our records so it is important to bring paper copies, or email them to us well in advance of your appointment

The AHC is valid for:
• 10 days after the date of issue for entry into the EU
• Onward travel within the EU for 4 months after the date of issue
• Re-entry to Great Britain for 4 months after the date of issue

Arriving in the EU
On arrival in the EU, pet owners travelling with pets will need to enter through a designated Travellers’ point of entry (TPE). At the TPE the original AHC must be presented along with proof of:
• The pet’s microchip
• Rabies vaccination
• Tapeworm treatment (if required)

Your pet will need a new AHC for each trip to the EU. To get a new health certificate, the pet must visit an Official Vet no more than 10 days before travel.

To enter the UK you will need either the AHC issued in Great Britain used to travel to the EU (which you can use up to 4 months after it was issued) or a UK pet health certificate (for travel into the UK only.)

More information on Pet travel is available at GOV.UK Travel Advice

If you are travelling to a destination outside the EU, travelling at a different time to your pet or relocating an animal to a new home abroad, different rules will apply.

If you have any queries or would like to make an appointment to discuss travelling abroad with your pets, please get in touch via email, PetsApp or call us on 01223 359 021.

At Clarendon Street Vets we are keen to provide holistic care for your pet. Whilst many of the problems we see are predominantly physical conditions such as injury, infection or ongoing health conditions, we are also on hand to help with any behavioural changes or challenges you may face with your pet. In some cases these may be connected to the physical symptoms your animal is displaying, in other cases behaviour changes may relate to life events or early life experiences.

There are a lot of people offering help with dog training and behaviour issues in both cats and dogs (and an increasing number of behaviourists will also treat exotic pets.) Dog trainers tend to focus on training issues such as poor recall or jumping up, while behaviourists may concentrate on more entrenched problems such as anxiety or house soiling, however quite a few experts will offer both. Some will offer training in a group setting, others will do one-to-one sessions or visit you at home.

The qualifications for trainers and behaviourists can vary quite a lot so we are keen to try and help you find someone best suited for you and your pet. There are several organisations that regulate the training and behaviour professions and their websites offer a good starting point if you want to find someone local or work out what kind of help your pet needs.

https://www.apbc.org.uk/

https://apdt.co.uk/

For most behaviour types problems, a veterinary referral will be required. This is to ensure that any physical factors that may be causing or exacerbating the problem can be identified before it is treated as purely behavioural. We are very happy to give your pet a check up if you have concerns about his or her behaviour and refer you on to a local behaviourist if appropriate.

If you have concerns about any aspect of your pet’s behaviour please don’t hesitate to get in touch.