Microchip
Implant
Dogs must be identified by a microchip that can be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader. Microchip must be scanned and recorded at each vet visit.
Rabies
Vaccination
Your dog must be vaccinated with an inactivated rabies vaccine that was given in an approved country when the dog was at least 90 days old and is valid in accordance with manufacturers directions, at the time of export. Rabies vaccinations with a three (3) year validity are acceptable if given in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Other
Vaccinations
Leptospira interrogans, Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica, and CIV (Canine Influenza Virus). To ship a pet to Australia, the pet has to be fully vaccinated more than 14 days before the export.
FAVN
Titer Test
Wait 3-4 weeks between the rabies vaccination and the blood sample collection for the RNAT test. If the dog has a history of regular rabies vaccinations, it may be possible to collect the blood sample sooner. A result of 0.5 IU/ml or more is acceptable. The RNAT test is valid for 24 months from the date of blood sampling.
RNAT Test
Declaration
An official government veterinarian (not the government approved veterinarian) in the country of export must check the RNAT test laboratory report and rabies vaccination certificate and complete, sign and stamp the RNAT test declaration.
Import
Permit
To import a pet to Australia: Once the USDA has endorsed the RNAT Declaration, your pet shipping experts will apply for the import permit. The import permit will be valid for 12 months or until the Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titer (RNAT) test expires, whichever occurs first.
Quarantine
Space
Your pet shipping agent will apply for the quarantine space for your pet after the import permit has been received.
External Parasite
Treatment
A government approved veterinarian must treat the dog with a product that kills ticks and fleas on contact at least 21 days before blood collection for Ehrlichia canis antibody testing. Continuous protection from external parasites must be maintained until the time of export and treatments may need to be repeated by the veterinarian in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions. To calculate 21 days after initial external parasite treatment, count the day the treatment is applied as day 0.
Ehrlichia
Canis testing
A government approved veterinarian must scan and verify the animal’s microchip and collect a blood sample at least 21 days after external parasite treatment starts (Step 10) and within 45 days before export. The sample must be tested for Ehrlichia canis infection by an Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) for the detection of IgG antibodies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests or an IFAT for the detection of IgM antibodies are not accepted. The test must produce a negative result at a dilution of 1:40.
Brucella
Canis Testing
If the dog is desexed, it doesn’t need testing for Brucellosis (evidence of desexing may be requested by the competent authority in the exporting country or the department).
OR
If the dog is not desexed, a government-approved veterinarian must scan and verify the animal’s microchip and collect a blood sample to be tested for Brucella Canis using a Rapid Slide Agglutination Test (RSAT), a Tube Agglutination Test (TAT) or an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) within 45 days before the date of export.
The test must produce a negative result.
Leishmania
Infantum
A government-approved veterinarian must scan and verify the animal’s microchip and collect a blood sample to be tested for Leishmania Infantum using either an Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) or an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) within 45 days before the date of export. The test must produce a negative result.
Canicola
Testing
Leptospira Interrogans Serovar Canicola testing – This step only applies if the dog has not been vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola
A government-approved veterinarian must scan and verify the animal’s microchip and collect a blood sample to be tested for Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola using a Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) within 45 days before the date of export.
The test must produce a negative result (less than 50% agglutination) at a serum dilution of 1:100.
Parasite
Treatment
To ship pet to Australia: A government-approved veterinarian must treat the dog twice with an internal parasite treatment effective against internal parasites (nematodes and cestodes). The two treatments must be administered at least 14 days apart and within 45 days before export. The second treatment must be given within five (5) days before export.
Health
Certificate
The dog must be examined by a government approved veterinarian or an official government veterinarian and found to be free from external parasites and clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease within five (5) days before export. An official government veterinarian must complete, sign and stamp all pages of the veterinary health certificate.
