Martin & Manifold Vets Ltd

07/10/2025

Further clarification for people. X

In answer to some of our questions regarding the news on mandatory pre-import testing for Brucella Canis for all commercial dog imports from Romania into Great Britain.

From 7 October 2025, new rules will require mandatory pre-import testing for Brucella Canis for all commercial dog imports from Romania into Great Britain.

Find out more: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-urged-to-buy-pets-from-reputable-sources

Yesterday, we considered:

➡️What are classed as 'commercial dog imports'?
➡️What about the illegal trade?
➡️What about the sensitivity and specificity of tests available?
➡️ What about seroconversion and last exposure?

Here's what we have found so far:

From 7 October 2025, dogs commercially imported from Romania must have a negative Brucella canis test result.

➡️Which dogs must be tested before import?

The rules relating to Brucella canis apply to the commercial import of dogs into Great Britain, if they originate in or are dispatched from Romania.

You must follow commercial import rules if there will be a sale or transfer of ownership (including to rehome rescue animals).

Pet owners must also follow commercial import rules to travel with more than 5 dogs (unless they are attending a competition, show, sporting event or related training).

➡️Sending samples to Great Britain

An authorised veterinarian in Romania must take a sample and send it to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in Great Britain for testing, prior to import.

When completing the form, you must select 2 tests: Brucella canis ELISA and Brucella canis SAT.

➡️Getting test results

APHA laboratory reports with the test results are sent by email.

Both tests must be negative. The dog can then enter Great Britain no later than 30 calendar days from when the blood sample was taken. To enter at a later date, a new test is required.

If either test result is positive, you cannot import the dog.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/brucella-canis-testing-dogs-before-import

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-veterinary-surgeon-ovs-notes/6-october-2025-brucella-canis-testing-requirements-for-commercially-imported-dogs-from-romania

Want to know more about Brucella Canis?

The article below aims to support the veterinary profession, the public and dog rescue organisations in our attempts to manage, test and recognise the disease in small animal practice.

In the UK in 2021 Public Health England released a Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance HAIRS risk statement that noted since summer 2020 there has been an unexpectedly high number of reports of Brucella canis infection in dogs, mostly directly imported into the UK from Eastern Europe.

Brucella canis spreads predominantly via reproductive fluids. The risk of spread is particularly high if a pregnant bitch aborts a litter of puppies. Neutered dogs therefore pose a lower risk of transmission, but it does not eliminate risk. The disease can also be spread via blood, urine and saliva. People living with an infected pet will have prolonged exposure to these fluids and may therefore be more at risk if in regular and direct contact with the infected dog. Those working with bodily fluids may also be higher risk, such as laboratory workers, veterinary professionals and kennel professionals.

Read the article in full to understand more about the disease, and how you can reduce the risk whilst managing these patients in practice, and continue to provide outstanding veterinary care whilst protecting your team.

But remember, the most important option is not fuelling illegal puppy and dog trading in the first place.

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/brucellosis-canis-in-the-uk-an-overview

07/10/2025

Brucella canis, is a gram-negative bacterium: some Brucella Sp, including B. Canis are infectious and zoonotic (which means it can spread from animal to human).

From 7 October 2025, new rules will require mandatory pre-import testing for Brucella Canis for all commercial dog imports from Romania into Great Britain.

Find out more: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-urged-to-buy-pets-from-reputable-sources

The Barriers?

1️⃣ Illegal Imports
2️⃣ Some tests have low specificity and sensitivity
3️⃣ Testing should be done at least 12 weeks after last possible 'exposure' due to seroconversion

We look forward to hearing more about the details of how this will be implemented.

Many dogs and puppies being brought into the UK are not via legal routes. Furthermore, the movement of puppies around Europe will make this implementation challenging. Nevertheless, this is still a big step forward in public awareness and being proactive and mitigating risk of B. Canis positive dogs being imported.

“The available estimates indicate that Europe’s pet trade (cats, dogs, exotic) is the third most profitable illegal trade in the EU, after narcotics and weapons,”

Importing puppies is often via illegal and unethical routes. Ongoing research has shown that there is an increasing trend in the number of puppies purchased with passports (i.e imported puppies), in 2021 at least 1 in 10 puppies were imported. In 2020, Dogs Trust found that 14% of all adverts reviewed online were for imported puppies (29% in England), at least 18% of the imported puppies were confirmed by the seller as being under the minimum 15 weeks of age.

Evidence shows a rise in low-welfare imports and smuggling activity with a 260% increase in the number of young puppies being intercepted for not meeting the UK’s pet import rules.

One of the saddest and most distressing increases is the rise in cropped eared dogs. Please DO NOT buy or import a puppy who has needlessly had its ears cropped. The RSPCA (England & Wales) reported a 620% rise in reports of dogs found to have had their ears cropped, covering from 2015 to 2020 - this is only getting worse.

Here are some TOP TIPS on how to stop a bogus puppy or rescue.

1️⃣ They have lots of puppies available at all different ages
2️⃣They offer a drop off service
3️⃣They aren't asking YOU questions about you home, lifestyle or experience
4️⃣They aren't providing proof of health checks and vaccine history
5️⃣They aren't thoroughly health testing imports from abroad
6️⃣Their importation paperwork isn't adding up!

Read more about these red flags below 👇

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/is-my-rescue-a-red-flag

🎧 Want to listen about this?

Tune in to hear Robyn Lowe in conversation with Rowena Packer and Zoe Belshaw to discuss their research findings into the shocking reality of puppy sale scams and illegal puppy smuggling, where animal health, behaviour and welfare is hugely compromised for financial profit.

It is something we in the veterinary profession, and prospective puppy owners, need to know more about, and we hope that this podcast provides some insight and tools to identify when this is likely to be going on, for example any puppy who has been imported under the age of 15 weeks will have been done so illegally.

We also discuss the hugely damaging impact this has on the puppies, dams and sires from a behaviour, disease and welfare point of view. This issue is becoming more prevalent, and we have a responsibility to educate ourselves and our clients so that we can try and tackle this, ultimately by identifying puppy sellers who are part of the illegal puppy trade and boycotting these purchases.

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/veterinary-voices/episodes/The-shocking-reality-of-the-illegal-puppy-trade-e32gmco

❓ Want to know more about Brucella Canis?

The article below aims to support the veterinary profession, the public and dog rescue organisations in our attempts to manage, test and recognise the disease in small animal practice.

In the UK in 2021 Public Health England released a Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance HAIRS risk statement that noted since summer 2020 there has been an unexpectedly high number of reports of Brucella canis infection in dogs, mostly directly imported into the UK from Eastern Europe.

B. Canis spreads predominantly via reproductive fluids. The risk of spread is particularly high if a pregnant bitch aborts a litter of puppies. Neutered dogs therefore pose a lower risk of transmission, but it does not eliminate risk. The disease can also be spread via blood, urine and saliva. People living with an infected pet will have prolonged exposure to these fluids and may therefore more at risk if in regular and direct contact with the infected dog. Those working with the bodily fluids of infected dogs may also be higher risk, such as laboratory workers, veterinary professionals and kennel professionals.

Read the article in full to understand more about the disease, and how you can reduce the risk of exposure whilst managing these patients in practice, and continue to provide outstanding veterinary care whilst protecting your team and having fully informed clients.

But remember, the most important option is not fuelling illegal puppy and dog trading in the first place.

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/brucellosis-canis-in-the-uk-an-overview

31/07/2025

Love a tortoise!

28/07/2025

Thank you for our lovely presents! 🥰

25/07/2025

We are very lucky to have an extremely clever, multi talented team of veterinary professionals here at Martin and Manifold - known as Registered Vet Nurses (RVNs).

This often overlooked bunch of super hero’s can turn their hands to anything!

From phlebotomy to anaesthesiology, from consulting to laboratory procedures and everything in between! RVNs are a vital and valued member of the team here at MMV!

23/07/2025

As part of our roles as veterinary professionals, we all have to keep up with our training and keep our qualifications topped up.

Emma & Casey met up with their vet nursing colleagues to enjoy some top notch training and research at the recent British Veterinary Association congress.

Alice and I very lucky to work with such a great team! 🥰

22/07/2025

Course Spotlight 🔦

Level 2 Diploma Veterinary Nursing Assistant
The Veterinary Nursing Assistant Diploma will give you the underpinning knowledge and basic nursing skills you need to support qualified veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons in a clinical setting.

The Veterinary Nursing Assistant Diploma is a part time course taught over one year. It includes sessions at our training center in Monmouth, formal live webinar lessons every two weeks and blended distance learning. As well as the formal teaching, these days allow you to access one-to-one support from our experienced tutors.

Get in touch or visit our website to find out more:
📍 Apex House, Monmouth
📞 01600 737040
💻 www.vetnursetraining.co.uk

22/07/2025

Bright sunlight in the summer can cause pale egg shells; however, the exact reason for this is still widely unknown.

However, there can be other causes too, including respiratory disease, a calcium deficiency or stress.

Find out more about eggshell quality >> https://www.chickenvet.co.uk/eggshell-quality

19/07/2025

💕 Emma has done a wonderful job of shopping and topping up all the toys and treats! 💕

18/07/2025

Much fun has been had this spring and summer judging lots of dog shows.

Thanks for inviting us everyone!

If you would like us to judge at your dog show, help with a school talk or careers event, be sure to get in touch.

We are booking the 2026 diary already! 🐾💕

17/07/2025

Summer is for new adventures, not stress! 🐶🌿☀️

The ADAPTIL Calm Collar helps your dog feel secure and relaxed wherever your summer plans take you – whether it’s exploring new walking trails, staying with a pet sitter, or meeting new friends at the beach.

🐾 Easy to use, clinically proven, and working wherever your dog goes!

Help your dog enjoy a calm, confident summer with ADAPTIL. 💚

17/07/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗩𝗲𝘁

It's based on unique and proven technology and has an immediate and long-lasting effect. The strong adhesive liquid suspension forms a residual protective chalky coating that dries out red mite. Suitable for housing with up to 10 hens, it works 12 x faster and protects up to 2 x longer compared to conventional diamataceous products.

Find out more >> https://www.chickenvet.co.uk/home-shield