Yay! We're Taking Brunhilde the Rabbit with Us on Vacation! Ingrid Braulini

Whoa! Let’s stop and take a breath here! Traveling with your pet can be a challenge especially if you are doing this for the first time. Regardless of the type of animal, or breed, you have some things to think about right at the get-go. • Will you be traveling by car?

Plane? Ship? • Will you be crossing one or more time zones, going to foreign countries, winter resorts, or hot climates? • The age and general health of your critter? • Are you traveling alone, with a partner, or with kids?

Yay! We’re Taking Brunhilde the Rabbit With Us On Winter Vacay!

Ingrid Braulini - Grantham, NH

If you are taking a leisurely ride down to Florida, or a trip to California, or wintering on the slopes in Canada, it does make a big difference. So, first things first: Make sure the animal you are traveling with will not have restrictions in any of the places you are traveling to (or through). For instance, Canada requires proof of Rabies Vaccination and if the dog is not obviously under three months old, they will need proof of age as well. In addition, make sure all the health requirements for each state or country are met before you leave. When you next visit your vet for your animal’s annual checkup, you may want to ask for a certificate of health and a medical record and make sure their shots are up to date just in case you need to get out of town or State in a hurry. It’s also important to have that documentation should your pet need care once you get to where you are going.

If traveling by plane, make sure your airline will accept your pet. Not all airlines will allow all breeds and types of animals. You may need a special pet carrier. Also, if you intend on having your animal in the cabin with you, your airline may not allow it unless it is a licensed service animal. No sense in trying to carry your pet hidden in a carry-on…that never works.

Ships have their own rules and regulaContinued ON Page 16

tions so check with the cruise line. Some will only allow pets in the hoity-toity private cabins on the upper decks, but most ships will insist on having them in a kennel. So that leaves traveling by car. If you are crossing times zones and climate zones it’s best to make sure your pet will withstand the changes without a negative impact. Weather and temperature changes, especially drastic ones, can have a serious impact on both very young and very old animals. Don’t assume because George the Peke handled the trip to Mexico just fine the last time that he will do so this time. Your animal may have some underlying conditions, so it’s best to take the whole process slowly. High humidity is not great for cats and other small mammals and coupled with heat it can cause heatstroke. Dropping a dog or cat from winter weather into the hot southern sun and throwing in high humidity can create myriad problems, however, transitioning them quickly into highly air-conditioned air can also cause issues. That dramatic change can cause an animal to go into shock. You can help avoid this at the start by opening the windows and turning on fans for plenty of circulation and slowly dropping the temperature with air conditioning. Keep in mind how many times you have changed climate and temperature from one extreme to another only to find you’ve gotten sick.

This shouldn’t need to be said BUT, be sure NEVER to leave any animal in any vehicle anywhere on your route for any length of time, especially in warm weather or a warmer climate.

As mentioned before, it is of utmost importance that whenever you travel with your pet or pets, they are vaccinated and are given a clean bill of health. This is not only for your safety but also for the safety of any animals they should encounter. Also, with a medical file on your pet Whoopsie, you can be sure that any vet will be able to see her history and be better able to care for her if the need should arise. Especially important are any x-rays, lab results, results of surgical procedures, heartworm tests, vaccination records, and seizure history (should there be one).

The situations where you absolutely need to see a vet on your trip? Those are any chest, head, or abdomen trauma, a prolonged or first-time seizure, arterial bleeding, a suspected fracture, poisoning, shock, breathing distress, bloat, and unconsciousness. Travel with the names of a couple of veterinarians or vet hospitals along the way and certainly the names of them at your destination.

While you are at it: make sure you know who will take care of your pet while you go out to dinner in Miami, Topeka, or Rome… not all hotels, even the dog-friendly ones, will allow you to leave a pet unsupervised in your hotel room. It’s best to make sure they, and you, have a list of certified experienced pet sitters. Besides, no one wants to hear your dog barking or cat meowing from your apartment/house for the duration of your evening out.

So, on a car trip to Florida, Arizona, or wherever the cold drives you, or even on a skiing trip what to bring with you besides a boatload of general health information? It would be great if you are not traveling alone and your travel companion can help you double-check everything each day before you head out. Make sure you have a comfortable carrier, favorite blankie, her toys, and stuffed animal. You will need a restraint for a dog and a comfortable carrier for whatever animal you are schlepping with you in the car, and if you are smart, a dog muzzle (you probably won’t need it but it shows you are a responsible pet owner), esp. in airports. Besides if your animal gets hurt on your trip, you may want to use the muzzle so you and no one else gets bitten. Have plenty of food of the brand your pet likes with you and a gallon jug of water for drinking and cooling down. Make sure your animal medicine chest is full and all supplies are renewed (list of essentials below). If your pet is on medication? Make sure you have enough for your trip, or until you get where you are going. A car sunshade for the side windows is a good idea… actually, the best idea.

Meds to bring with you? Benadryl (best in liquid or gel form) or another antihistamine, with your dog’s name and the amount to be given in case of allergies and insect bites. A fresh bottle of peroxide for cuts and as a vomit inducer in the case of poison. Room temperature (tepid) bottled water to wash out burns, cuts, and scrapes. A liquid bandage and something to cover it with as well as a blood-clotting agent (check your pharmacy). A rectal digital thermometer with fresh batteries…plastic only, please, and some petroleum jelly to help with insertion! A variety of bandages (not band-aids), gauze pads in various sizes, adhesive tape, and a syringe with no needle to help with liquid medicine administration. Extras you can grab: activated charcoal in case of poisoning, chemical ice pack, and individually packed sanitary napkins for heavy bleeding. Finally: rubber gloves for yourself.

WOW! Who would have thunk? Well, sometimes we think Iris the pug can go everywhere and do everything just like at home but that’s not always accurate so why not make this as easy on yourself as on them? All I can say is happy holidays and Bon Voyage to you and your pets!

Ingrid Braulini is the owner of Pet First Aid & Wellness. She is a certified Pet Tech and Wellness Instructor, a NAPPS Board Member, and NAPPS Certified. For more information, visit www.PetAidClasses.com