Russian veterinary certificates for a newt???

[jen]

A veterinary certificate is needed to transport pets on the train between Moscow and St Petersburg. This applies to tiny amphibians. Does anyone have any advice about how to get one for a newt? I'm getting conflicting information from different sources. Besides the fact that it's confusing because there are different kinds of certificates, some vet services here say a month of quarantine is necessary plus lab analysis of faeces to rule out helminthosis and salmonellosis, then a visit to the vet for inspection of the newt. It seems awfully difficult and I don't think my newt poops enough to do both (or any) analyses in any realistic time frame (turtle owner told another forum that six 1cm poops were only enough for one of the tests). Plus half the vet services don't seem to know what a newt is. I say 'triton' (newt) and they seem to hear 'piton' (python). 'It's a snake?' Or 'Is it a lizard?' So maybe they don't really know anything about certificates for newts. Does anyone have any experience with this? Any advice? Thanks.

 

[ChristineB]

Would you still need the paperwork if you mailed him? Maybe a specialist vet could walk you through the paperwork, since they've likely done it before. Sounds frustrating. Or if you only keep getting clueless vets, maybe the train people could spell out what's needed? And maybe inform you of the consequences of not having the certificate. Do they just deny your newt passage as a train policy thing, or is it an actual legally required public safety requirement? Good luck!

 

[jen]

Yes, it's a legal requirement. The vet certificate (bearing his name!) would allow him to get his own ticket, board the train and occupy a special spot designated for pets. Those are the strict rules for transporting animals. Newts don't get mailed around Russia, I don't think it's allowed - but if it was it would also require vet certificates and I wouldn't risk it anyway. Too slow and not safe. Actually the whole idea of mailing a newt sounds quite comical in the Russian context!
The district veterinary center says it can send a vet on a house call to inspect the newt, put him in quarantine, collect specimens for analysis, etc, so I'm going to give it a try. Fingers crossed.

 

[ChristineB]

Sounds so expensive and complicated, it's a wonder anybody takes their pets when they move. You're very committed!