Houston, We have a problem!

Returning from Boise wasn’t the most stress free experience. When we left we thought everything was under control. So we thought…

Our first day back in Houston, September 30, 2010 we had to mail the Sabbia and Pali’s paperwork off to the USDA for approval. When we received Pali’s paperwork, I realized the form from the vet was missing a rabies vaccination date. The rabies vaccination date is 3/14/2009. What happened to her May of 2010 vaccination? Was I going crazy? Did I forget to vaccinate my dog 30 days prior to arrival?

I panic, rush back to the Nguyen household, hoping what I remember reading wasn't true. Part of Israel’s requirement to allow pet’s into the country is that the animal must be vaccinated with Rabies a minimum of 30 days prior to entering the country as well as a rabies titer test after the 30 days of vaccination. The titer test takes 6 to 8 weeks to receive. If the dog is vaccinated more than a year upon arrival the dog must be quarantined for 8 days. OH, OH…

I email the vet and made frantic calls to the Israeli embassy, the USDA, and email our all time favorite pet sitter, Amber from Bow wow pals. Can Pali stay with you for 3 months and will you take her to get all her tests done for the third time? Yes, a third time. The first time the vet put her information on the vile of blood in the wrong location. The State of Kanasas rabies lab is particular about which side the sticker lies. Pali had to go back in two days later for another blood draw.

Our vet gets back to us within a few hours. They check their records. They don’t have a record of a rabies vaccination. I refresh his memory of how my timid dog jumped and part of the vaccination wasn’t administered. He went to the back, got another vaccination, and how he told me she cannot OD on this stuff. He remembers now! It’s in his notes. But why wasn’t anything recorded? And we didn't pay for her vaccination?!?!

I drive 45 minutes to his office and literally ask him, "Can I write in the new date and send it to the USDA? Is this considered a felony?" His response "Yes, it is a felony. If you are so inclined to do so, do it after the USDA approves everything." The USDA has access to Kansas lab reports, they will see another date written which will raise a red flag. When they notice this we will have to resubmit blood to Kansas which will take 6 to 8 weeks. Let's see what happens and in the mean time he will email the head veterinarian in Israel and ask for a waiver.

Our vet contacted Israel, sent a letter to the USDA, took the blame and everything was approved. Even though there is no record of her shot, the head veterinarian of Israel said no quarantine either since her titer was greater than 1.99. With the vet’s letter stating this, the USDA approved Pali’s paperwork and now it’s time to leave.

Phew. Now let’s hope nothing happens to her on the flight and when we arrive.