Microchips

[Dutchess]

Hi,

I am trying to get clarification on microchips. I was told by the officials that the present chip my dog has(IDEP) is ok to get her into HK. Then they said she would have to be redone with an Avid for the dog licence. Would anyone please be able to clarify when this would done. Is it on arrival or later? I've been told by my vet that it is not wise for a dog to have two chips.
Also, regarding spaying. Are there any rules on this?
Thanks to all....

[dropdedfwed]

It's easiest to leave your pet to be chipped and rabies vaccinated as they arrive in HK. They will definitely be rabies vaccinated again whether they were done overseas or not (9/10 times) and the cost of the microchip is covered in the licence fee anyway (i think). They are generally chipped as they go thru customs/quarantine.

Regarding 2 microchips - there's no real health issues for your pet, but if your pet has 2 local microchips it can be a nuisance as they will both need to be recorded on file... however, as most countries don't use the AVID chip (which is why your pet will need to be chipped here in the first instance), there is no problem having chips from two different formats in the one pet, as most countries will only bother scannin for the format they use for licences (ie most countries use ISO or other chips). My pets all had both AVID (from HK) and ISO (from Oz) chips, with no dramas at all...

[dropdedfwed]

Rules regarding speying? like what? no it is not compulsory, if that is what you mean... what rules do you mean??

[Dutchess]

Thanks...so I guess I will just leave it until they arrive. Do they get microchipped at the airport when they arrive? Do I also get the license at the same time? Are there any other shots they should have besides rabies?

[dropdedfwed]

yes they get the chip as they pass quarantine, ie at the airport. i think you pay for the licence and sign the forms but i'm not sure if you get it on the spot... haven't got the foggiest memory on that, sorry!

re vaccinations - apart from rabies, just the usual, as you would anywhere else. where are you coming from?

[Dutchess]

Canada... Did you give your dogs any relaxants? Basically, I have heard it is not advisable.

[dropdedfwed]

that's my take on it too - it's not advisable...

make sure you get your import permit done before you make too many plans, otherwise your mates will be sent back on the next flight. I'm an advocate of getting pet freight compainies to do all the work for you, even though I had contacts in the business on both sides. it was just so much easier getting someone else who knew it all to do the job, rahter than me doing it and finding out at last minute something had changed and I needed to do something else as well... Others on this forum have done it all on their own and saved a fee or 2 here and there, and they seem to have had positive experiences. It's up to you which way you go, but if paperwork is not your niche, get someone to do it all for you - the major cost at the end of the day is the freight.

[Dutchess]

Thanks again.....I just spoke with my Vet. Distemper is the only other vaccine they have had.

[dropdedfwed]

might be wise to get distemper/hepatitis/parvovirus vaccine done before you come over, +/- kennel cough combo. there's a lot of distemper here, and parvo does rear its ugly head now and then.. I thought distemper vaccine was generally in a combo with hep/parvo? eg C3 vaccine?? never seen it as n individual vaccine, but there you go...!