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Gayle Martz

Flying With a Dog or a Cat – Tips

Flying with Dogs

Flying With a Dog or a Cat: Domestic Travel

Anyone who plans to travel while flying with dogs to another state with her pet needs to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).  This official document is a health Certificate signed by a licensed and accredited veterinarian.  It guarantees that the pet shows no signs of communicable disease and gives a date that the inspection (examination) took place.  This document should include rabies vaccination information with the date the rabies shot was given.  Rabies vaccination documentation is required by all states for dogs and by most states for cats.  I recommend you contact the particular state’s agricultural or veterinary department directly for updated information before you travel.  In addition to your CVI certificate, for travel within the United States, your pet needs to have a health certificate from your veterinarian dated within ten days of departure stating that your pet is fit to travel.  The health certificate and your pet’s vaccination certificates should be attached to the kennel.  Always carry extra copies on your person, in case you are asked to produce them.  If your pet is tranquilized before travel, your veterinarian must supply the name of the drug, the dosage, and how the drug was administered.  This information should be included with the pet’s health certificate and other veterinary paperwork, and a copy of this information should also be attached to the kennel.

There are a wide variety of airlines now that accept pets, always be sure to call the airlines and ask about their pet policies before you purchase a ticket.  While small dogs and cats are generally allowed in the cabin, large dogs are often required to be checked as baggage.  Baggage holds can become hazardous if pets are exposed to extreme heat or cold for extended periods because they miss flights or planes are delayed.  There is no way for owners to assist baggage-checked pets during flight.  For this reason, the United States government recently required better training in pet handling for airline employees, and airlines must now notify the Department of Transportation about incidents involving animals.

Flying With a Dog or a Cat: International Travel

Before flying with dogs to another country, always contact that country’s consulate or embassy for information concerning their requirements.  Every country has specific health requirements for the entry of animals and most countries, including those of the European Union, have a veterinary certificate specific to their country.  If foreign countries do not have written policies specifically addressing your species of pet, I strong advise that you obtain something in writing from both the country’s embassy and your chosen airline carrier to avoid potential problems.  Read more

Gayle Martz

My Dog/Cat Gets Car Sick

I have been very fortunate.  SHERPA, SuNae, KIMBA, KARTU, and KoKo never suffered from motion sickness. But many people do have to deal with this problem.  I’ve had many people ask me “my dog gets car sick what can I do?”.  Fortunately, motion sickness is something that most puppies outgrow.  If you want to include your puppy or other pet in your active lifestyle, don’t let your pet’s tendency to become sick stop you from taking him or her in the car.

Part of an animal’s inclination toward motion sickness stems from the stress or anxiety of riding in a car.  Try to create positive experiences for your pet that she will associate with the car.  Why not try a trip to the new park for a game of Frisbee or catch? A ride to a pet bakery?  A trip to a favorite friend?  Maybe your pet enjoys riding through the car wash with you.  SHERPA used to love it when I sang in the car and she would chime right in.  Cats that don’t travel very often can moan and wail all the way there and back.  That’s unpleasant for both of you; So, I advise you, if you have a kitten, to start car training now, and he may soon take it to.  Be sure to keep your cat in a carrier while traveling and invest in squirm-proof halter and leash so that you can exercise him during long-distance trips.

 

Warning signs and treatments

Keep an eye on your pet.  Usually the first signs of motion sickness are yawning or drooling.  The good news is that a lot of the same things that help people overcome motion sickness also work for pets.  If you stop the car and take your dog or cat out for a walk when you notice warning signs, you can often prevent sickness, at least for a while.  Cracking a window to increase ventilation in the back seat can help these pets and small, crate bound pets too.  Sometimes the churning juices in an empty stomach can make matters worse.  If you see the warning signs, offer your pet an unsalted cracker or piece of plain bread.  Other bland, calming foods you can offer any pet suffering from nausea or diarrhea include a little plain, boiled hamburger, rice, oatmeal, or the appropriate type of baby food for your pet species.  Calm your pet by talking to them. Read more