Dog Days of Travel
By Luke Viramontes, DVM
It’s fair to say we’ve seen the shift in the way we consider pets as part of our families. From the amount of care we provide to them, to including them in our daily activities. It’s more common than not nowadays to see someone in the airport or the plane with their furriest family member! As the world continues to change, we also need to think about all the unknowns that can accompany traveling with our pets.
Traveling already comes with enough hassle, however when traveling with pets, we have to remember that there are special considerations for our companions. First, always check with your airline that you have the proper documentation and requirements fulfilled well before your trip. This is to ensure that you have enough time to ensure a seamless trip, but also that if anything is needed prior to travel, that your veterinarian has enough time to accommodate you. This includes, but is not limited to, fulfilling all recommended vaccinations and tests, filling all necessary medications, and ensuring that your pet is healthy enough for travel.
In many cases, traveling can be a stressful experience for animals. They don’t know that they’re about to be stuck in a metal tube 30,000 feet above sea level, flying far away from home. They don’t know the sights and smells that they’re going to come across. Everything is new, and we have to keep in mind that some animals don’t adjust to change well. Always consider using anxiety medications to help relieve this stress if needed. Signs of anxiety include excessive panting, trembling, a “whale-eyed” appearance, pinned back ears, pulled back lips, and restlessness.
Keep in mind for our older pets that they may have chronic health conditions, where it may be better off leaving them at home with a trusted friend, family member, or boarding facility. For example, animals with a history of congestive heart failure or seizures can decompensate at anytime, and when traveling with them, it can be very difficult, or impossible, to initiate life-saving measures if something were to unfortunately happen.