Taking a 10 year old Labarador to Sydney??????

[Guest Dionne and Rickie]

Just wandered what peoples opinions were really on this subject we have 2 dogs a 5 year old boxer and a 10 year old Lab we have found a very loving home for Mollie the Boxer with one of my friends would love to take them both wioth us but its just not fair on them and too bloody expensive, but my heart is aching for Lucy the Lab i want to take her desperetly but my husband thiks it will kill her has anyone taken an elderly dog before and what are your views on the subject.

 

I think hes hoping one of our reletives will adopt her but i dont think anyone will, she will be 10 in May and we are hoping to be there this time next year......

[daniel 6]

Hi Dionne

 

Just to let you know, we brought over our 10yr old black lab to Melbourne in May and she was fine. Better than fine infact, she absolutely loved everything about the journey apparently. In England she had arthritis and was on daily meds, she is now off of them. She did get kennel cough in quarantine but the vet called us and said she was fine. We didn't visit her at all as we didn't think it would be fair to her when we had to leave again but we rang every week and the staff were great. We think they gave her extra attention as she's old and loves cuddles. It was the hardest time of our lives but we got there and when we were allowed to collect her we took her straight to the beach and you would never have known the ordeal she must have been through. She is now absolutely loving australia, she hates rain and the cold so spends most of her time sunbathing. I am so glad we did it, I don't think the kids would have settled as well as they have without her and she really does make australia feel like home.

 

Hope I've helped a little bit.

 

Emma x

[Guest Dionne and Rickie]

Thanks a lot Emma thats fantastic i will have to try and win my husband round.

[cartertucker 2,566]

Hi,

 

We have a 9 year old Boxer & a 7 year old Beagle & although we'd love to leave the beagle behind, as shes so naughty! We couldnt split them, as the beagle would go mad :wacko:

 

But like you, with our 9 year old boxer we too are worried, as we probably wont be going for another year, he is however, thankfully very fit & healthy & still bounces around like a young dog, in fact some times people ask if the beagle is older!

 

I think as the time gets nearer, you should re-assess the health your Lab is in & take it from their. Good luck, I hope it all goes well for you.

 

There have been lots of other threads on here about taking dogs/older dogs if you do a search you can find them, they may be usefull

 

Kelly :smile:

[Guest Richard and carole]

Hi there, I know how hard this must be although i am new to doggy world! Bought a choccy lab 9 months ago and he is so loyal and such a great nature around dogs and children.

 

I think the hardest part is quaranteen but not sure if you have herd of the 'pet passport' then they don't have to go into it at all? Maybe Lucy could start it now and stay with your friend or family til she is ready to fly, much cheaper option than 6 months kennels.

 

You have to look up a vet that does this scheme in the uk and microchip is involved and a jab for rabies and month later a test to see if it's taken, they take a small sample of blood. Then they have to wait to fly for 6 months from the time the jab was given.

 

I really hope it all works out for you, Carole

[cartertucker 2,566]

Hi there, I know how hard this must be although i am new to doggy world! Bought a choccy lab 9 months ago and he is so loyal and such a great nature around dogs and children.

 

I think the hardest part is quaranteen but not sure if you have herd of the 'pet passport' then they don't have to go into it at all? Maybe Lucy could start it now and stay with your friend or family til she is ready to fly, much cheaper option than 6 months kennels.

 

You have to look up a vet that does this scheme in the uk and microchip is involved and a jab for rabies and month later a test to see if it's taken, they take a small sample of blood. Then they have to wait to fly for 6 months from the time the jab was given.

 

I really hope it all works out for you, Carole

 

Hi Carole,

 

Thats very interesting, I had heard of the pet passport, but had no idea what it was for & what it meant!

 

But this sounds a great way of avoiding the quarantine. :yes:

 

Kelly :smile:

[Guest Richard and carole]

Hi Kelly, Glad to help, if there is anything else you need to know just ask. Oh you have to keep the jab up once a year as well if you want to travel about the world! But it cost us about $500 all up including the microchip. Keep me posted to let me know how you go. all the best Carole.

[Guest johno1]

Hi, good post.

 

I have a question for Emma...could you tell me which shipping company you used for your dogs? It sounds as though you had a good experience compared to some that I have seen on POI.

 

Thanks

 

Debby (& Bunny the Tibetan Terrier)

[Guest Dionne and Rickie]

Thanks everyone you have all been very helpfull i have heard of the pet passport and new any animal needs one now to leave the country but i didnt know about avoiding the quarentine thanks very much i will defo look into it....

[Guest earlswood]

They can slightly drug animals these days for the trip, bring her it will be no problem as I have heard they really look after them in transit.

[cartertucker 2,566]

They can slightly drug animals these days for the trip, bring her it will be no problem as I have heard they really look after them in transit.

 

 

Sounds better than economy class! :biglaugh:

 

Kelly :smile:

[Guest OzzieWren]

Hi

 

Just to say unfortuanately the Pet Passport scheme is for pets re entering the UK (they avoid quarantine) or entering EU and a few Non EU countries but not OZ yet - to import a pet to Oz you still need 30 days quarantine Bringing Cats and Dogs and other pets to Australia - DAFF

 

Also found this on the Pet Air site FAQ :

Will my pet be sedated?

Absolutely not. This is extremely inadvisable on health grounds due to the effect on your pets blood pressure. Sedation lowers blood pressure and altitude can exacerbate this effect. In fact airlines will refuse to allow pets to board if they are known to have been sedated. The area in which pets travel is kept warm and dark which encourages them to settle down and sleep.

 

I have to go through all this with my 2 pooches when I go home for good - so have been doing some research - also as someone else said - there are lots of old threads about transporting pets - along with recommended companies - maybe you could give one of them a call and ask advice.

 

Good Luck!

[samozsoon 27]

Hi there, I know how hard this must be although i am new to doggy world! Bought a choccy lab 9 months ago and he is so loyal and such a great nature around dogs and children.

 

I think the hardest part is quaranteen but not sure if you have herd of the 'pet passport' then they don't have to go into it at all? Maybe Lucy could start it now and stay with your friend or family til she is ready to fly, much cheaper option than 6 months kennels.

 

You have to look up a vet that does this scheme in the uk and microchip is involved and a jab for rabies and month later a test to see if it's taken, they take a small sample of blood. Then they have to wait to fly for 6 months from the time the jab was given.

 

I really hope it all works out for you, Carole

 

 

As far as I'm aware, and things could have changed since we arrived in Jan, but this pet passport thing is for bringing your animals back into the UK.

Taking them to Aus requires 30 days in quarantine and no rabies vaccinations just blood tests to check for certain diseases.

 

Maybe you can use the pet passport thing and avoid quarantine but this was never pointed out to us and we had 3 quotes from different shippers. Worth checking out though.

 

Sam x

[Guest Richard and carole]

Oh right maybe it is different from the uk? But i was told to Get the Passport for either way? To avoid Quarantine? I was told Australia and Uk have Rabies so have to be vaccinated to avoid it coming into this country, Australia. Maybe there is a vet on here who can help us out on this mine field? I was told Uk and Oz have the same system. I think anyone who is taking the dog or cat should just contact their vet for the facts, like you say things change.

 

It's great to get the facts on here so we all don't get confused about it. Thanks Carole.

[samozsoon 27]

Hi Carole

Just been looking on the AQIS website

Category 2: 30 days quarantine in Australia - DAFF

and it seems that they do have to spend 30 days in quarantine and it also states

 

No additional documentation, vaccinations or testing can be completed to reduce or avoid the quarantine period.

 

You can download all the info from the website, I've had a quick look at it and it seems to tell you all you need to know. I hadnt looked at it before as our shipper, Gloden Arrow, did everything for us including obtaining the import permit.

 

Shame they cant avoid the quarantine period but at least it gives you time to find somewhere to live beforehand lol.

 

All the best with your move,

Sam x

[samozsoon 27]

Hi

 

Just to say unfortuanately the Pet Passport scheme is for pets re entering the UK (they avoid quarantine) or entering EU and a few Non EU countries but not OZ yet - to import a pet to Oz you still need 30 days quarantine Bringing Cats and Dogs and other pets to Australia - DAFF

 

Also found this on the Pet Air site FAQ :

Will my pet be sedated?

Absolutely not. This is extremely inadvisable on health grounds due to the effect on your pets blood pressure. Sedation lowers blood pressure and altitude can exacerbate this effect. In fact airlines will refuse to allow pets to board if they are known to have been sedated. The area in which pets travel is kept warm and dark which encourages them to settle down and sleep.

 

I have to go through all this with my 2 pooches when I go home for good - so have been doing some research - also as someone else said - there are lots of old threads about transporting pets - along with recommended companies - maybe you could give one of them a call and ask advice.

 

Good Luck!

 

 

Sorry OzzieWren, didnt realise you'd already replied with the same info, still better to have to much info than not enough (I think:wacko:).

 

Good luck with your move back.

Sam x

[Guest Richard and carole]

Thanks for that, i have looked on the website and it does state 30 days, i have been a bit confused about it and i am new to this so please forgive me if i lead you up the garden path to speak!

I have been doing all this from oz to go to uk and was told it was the same sytem in the uk as well??, Seems not so true. Like i say it is good to get the facts on here as people know coming from the uk what the system is with pets and what it's like for them, so they can give the best advice.

Maybe it's just the 30 days thing that's the difference? oh well, good to keep the forum going and finding the facts as we go. Thanks Carole.

[Guest HappyBunny]

Hi Dionne

 

Just to let you know, we brought over our 10yr old black lab to Melbourne in May and she was fine. Better than fine infact, she absolutely loved everything about the journey apparently. In England she had arthritis and was on daily meds, she is now off of them. She did get kennel cough in quarantine but the vet called us and said she was fine. We didn't visit her at all as we didn't think it would be fair to her when we had to leave again but we rang every week and the staff were great. We think they gave her extra attention as she's old and loves cuddles. It was the hardest time of our lives but we got there and when we were allowed to collect her we took her straight to the beach and you would never have known the ordeal she must have been through. She is now absolutely loving australia, she hates rain and the cold so spends most of her time sunbathing. I am so glad we did it, I don't think the kids would have settled as well as they have without her and she really does make australia feel like home.

 

Hope I've helped a little bit.

 

Emma x

 

You can vaccinate against kennel cough. It's not expensive and is recommended by AQIS (though not compulsory). It's worth it as kennel cough is not pleasant. Also, remember if you do bring your lab to start heartworm medication asap after arrival and if you are settling on the east coast it's worth treating regularly for ticks, the paralysis tick can be lethal. We brought both our labs (though they are younger than yours) and don't regret it for a second, even though we could have bought a car with the money it cost to bring them!! x

[daniel 6]

Hi again!

 

We used Airpets near Heathrow as our agents. They were very helpful as was our vet. Our dog did have the kennel cough drops before going but she is obviously prone to it as she had had it before. The quarantine is the hardest bit but you are so busy with other things it goes quite quickly. Australia and the UK do not have rabies so you do not need to get them vaccinated against it. The heartworm and tick advice from HappyBunny is really good as-well. It's certainly not cheap but she has been with us longer than our children and there was no way we were leaving her behind. She is now chilled out on our sofa watching the telly, such a life!

 

Emma x

[Guest tincan]

I'm getting a little emotional reading this thread , i had to leave my cocker spaniel (jasper) in the UK , he was 15 when we left last nov the vet okayed him but said he's old shirl though he's fit for his age theres a risk , that statement made the decision for me, i could'nt risk it , it broke my heart had him since he was 10 wks old , always there wet nose nudging your hand for a stroke, pinching socks putting them in "his place " wating outside each and every room i went into , you know the story , he pined for 6 wks , crying at the bedroom door, front door, chewed the carpet (lol) and scratched the wallpaper off, we went back to the UK in Aug , he went ballastic when we walked in yelping, bombing it around like a loony, skidding all over the wood floor, it was just so good to see him again , he had'nt forgotten us, upset when i had to leave him again felt really quite bad ,the kids said he only pined for just under a week , relief !!! think what i'm trying to say is if you have the means to take your pets and they are healthy don't hesitate , the wrench is soul destroying , if he'd been 10 he'd be here with us now , i know some people have the mind set of "it's only an animal" not in my book they go way beyond that :cry: ..... great thread

[Guest HappyBunny]

I'm getting a little emotional reading this thread , i had to leave my cocker spaniel (jasper) in the UK , he was 15 when we left last nov the vet okayed him but said he's old shirl though he's fit for his age theres a risk , that statement made the decision for me, i could'nt risk it , it broke my heart had him since he was 10 wks old , always there wet nose nudging your hand for a stroke, pinching socks putting them in "his place " wating outside each and every room i went into , you know the story , he pined for 6 wks , crying at the bedroom door, front door, chewed the carpet (lol) and scratched the wallpaper off, we went back to the UK in Aug , he went ballastic when we walked in yelping, bombing it around like a loony, skidding all over the wood floor, it was just so good to see him again , he had'nt forgotten us, upset when i had to leave him again felt really quite bad ,the kids said he only pined for just under a week , relief !!! think what i'm trying to say is if you have the means to take your pets and they are healthy don't hesitate , the wrench is soul destroying , if he'd been 10 he'd be here with us now , i know some people have the mind set of "it's only an animal" not in my book they go way beyond that :cry: ..... great thread

 

oh tincan I feel for you. We had to have our beloved cat put to sleep shortly before we left. He was 15, blind and had old timers (would sit and cry into thin air for ages). We were advised not to take him because at that age the stress of moving can adversely affect them as you say. Unfortunately we had no-one to leave him with and had to make the heart rending decision to have him put to sleep. Just after that we found out one of our dogs has a rare metabolic disorder. She's only 18months but our vet advised us against taking her because of the risk of sudden death. We started the process of rehoming her but I couldn't do it. So me and hubs decided she was going no matter what. Our vet was brilliant and backed our decision even though she wasn't sure we were doing the right thing. Isis is with us now and loving it here. She seems to have a sixth sense for when she needs to rest and has adjusted as well as our other dog. Although you must have gone through the mill leaving your baby in the UK it sounds as if he's okay and at least you can visit. You did the right thing for him and that's all anyone can ask. x

[LojaChica 287]

I had to leave my 17 year old behind as the Vet said that although she was fit and healthy he wasn't prepare to put his name to the cerificate in case something happened! This was after I had spent £300 on tests! Anyway it broke my heart as I decided to leave my 11year old Yorkie with her as I didn't want to split them up! Unfortunately Tess my older Dog died just recently........I don't know what was worse.....leaving them or her passing away and I wasn't there? Anyway Petair are fantastic so if you need quotes or advice then I would highly recommend them!

[Guest Richard and carole]

Oh i am so sorry for you tincan, it must be so hard leaving your baby. How your describing your doggy just sounds like mine! He sits by the doors of anywhere you go to toilet an all!! He also loves my plant pots, especially with all my new plants in, oh i came home one day after going into the garden centre and spending $100 he must of destoyed at lest 50 of that, roots an all scattereed all all over the garden, i was not amused ,but as he stood there looking at me with his sad eyes, and what did i do, i had to laugh! he is only 10 months and i hope he grows out of it.

Anyway, good thread and i am enjoying listening to everyones story about their dogs and life.

 

I think he needs puppy school does anyone know how old is best to train them? I have had different views on this as he pulls like mad and chases the birds in my garden, think he has cought a few and i am not ammused, love the wildlife here and got a bird feeder on my big tree but he keeps waiting like a cat, never knew dogs did this? I might have to get hubby to build a fence, just any advice would be good. Thanks Carole.

[Guest Dionne and Rickie]

Thankyou very much tincan i really do want to take her i will get her assessed by our vet nearer the time i think and get his opinion so sorry you had to leave your family member here.!!

[Guest tincan]

Thanks guy's i was'nt looking for a sympathy vote, just trying to express how it feel's to leave something behind that means so much, yeah i've left my boys in England, that hurt's , my dog however is in a dff place, totally loyal, no i don't put him b4 a human .... tho i'm not sure lol he was and remains so loyal , to my son's and me i can't stand it ..... i know we did the right thing but jesus how it pulls , always had pet's from a kiddie , respected them totally my parents made sure of that , he is such a challenging bugger, Irish stock, bloody willfull in tempremant, .... train them from a young age , i don't mean beat or be cruel but if perchance you have a male cocker (red) beware seriosly .... have his you know whats nipped at an early age ..... my hubby cringed "how can you have his ball's chopped off " well quite easily lol ..... enough said. :twitcy: