When you travel with your pet you are both able to enjoy the same companionship you cherish when you are at home, and with careful preparation and the right products you can share wonderful experiences! Taking the time to adequately plan your trip will keep everyone happily on the trail.

Medication

One of your biggest concerns is the protection of your pet’s health. Be certain that you have enough of your pet’s prescriptions to last through your trip and into the busy days following your return home. You can ask your vet’s office to split a prescription into multiple bottles (there may be a nominal fee for the extra vials and labels) so they can be stored in more than one bag, just in case one is lost in transit. Carry copies of pertinent medical history and a prescription signed by your veterinarian. If your pet requires insulin injections you will want an insulated lunchbox type container and cold packs that you can refreeze in your hotel rooms.

Nutrition

Your pet’s digestive health depends on continuing with a familiar diet. Most pets are more sensitive than people when confronted with unusual food, and the consequences can be inconvenient and very messy. Try to take enough of your pet’s normal food along, or be certain that you can obtain it throughout your journey.By the way, if you wouldn’t eat it or drink it, don’t let your pet! Spoiled food on the ground at the rest stop and untreated stream water at the campsite will likely make your pet sick, with consequences ranging from minor to serious.

Vaccinations

It’s very important that you pet’s vaccinations are current, and you should always have a copy of those records with you. The government only requires a valid rabies vaccination because that disease can be transmitted to humans, but you want to be certain that your pet is adequately protected from the other contagious diseases to which it may be exposed. Remember, when you are out on rest stops your pet may be nose-to-nose with another adventuresome pet, and will definitely be sniffing and licking around spots where other pets have been, so disease transmission is relatively easy.

Parasites

Another other category of preventive care involves parasites. Products which protect against fleas, ticks, and heartworm disease carried by mosquitoes are more effective and easier to use than ever before. Some of those medications also control intestinal worms that can be acquired when a pet ingests eggs left by another pet’s eliminations and that even remain in the soil for months or years.  Depending on the location and season of travel, deworming after your trip may also be advisable.

Health Certificates

Obtaining a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), otherwise known as a Health Certificate, for your pet may be necessary. How far from home are you venturing? If you are not crossing a state line you will not need to schedule a special visit with your veterinarian unless your pet has specific health concerns or you need to check on seasonal parasite control. Simply obtain the copies of vaccinations and other records you feel you need, have your pet’s prescriptions filled, have your pet’s normal food ready to go, and make certain that you have the items that will make the trip together as smooth and fun for both of you as possible.If your pet is crossing state lines you may need your veterinarian to issue a Health Certificate. It’s very important that you plan ahead in order to have the appointment scheduled appropriately. Your veterinarian will be signing a government form that states that, on that date, your pet has been examined and found to be free of disease. The form also requires information about vaccination status, as well as home address and destination address. In some cases airlines also require a written statement from the veterinarian that the pet can physically deal with any extreme temperatures that may be encountered.It’s important to understand that your veterinarian cannot fill out and sign the certificate without performing the brief physical examination on that day. Even in a situation where your pet was at the vet’s office recently, a new and usually very quick appointment will be required. You may want to schedule a routine or annual visit to fall in the ten-day window and take care of both purposes at the same time. Just remember mention the need for the Health Certificate when you schedule the appointment, to enable the staff to be prepared with the necessary paperwork and allow adequate time with the doctor.Every airline will require a Health Certificate and will have other specific guidelines if your pet will be flying with you. Their websites often are clear enough, but don’t hesitate to call and speak with a representative if you have any questions. Remember, your veterinarian’s staff will be able to provide you with some general information, but there are too many different and ever-changing rules for them to be up-to-date with them all. We wish you and your pet a fun and safe journey on the adventures ahead of you. Bon Voyage!

Resources:

This link to the United States Department of Agriculture takes you to their helpful pages: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/pet_travel/content/wp_c_pet_travel_tips.shtml

These links are to useful information from the American Veterinary Association’s site:

General travel tips: http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/livingwithpets/traveling.asp

State regulations: http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/livingwithpets/stateregs.asp

Notes about sedation: http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/livingwithpets/sedate.asp