Ask The Vet RadioShow Notes

Show #: 06-128

Show Description: "Traveling with your Pet"

Audio Files: ATVR-06-128.mp3, ATVR-06-128.wma

This week on Ask The Vet Radio we discussed traveling pet tips just in time for the Holidays!  Becky Huckaby, McGhee Tyson Airport Spokesperson, called in to discuss airport regulations for flying with your pets.  Tennessee State Veterinarian Dr. Ron Wilson called in to speak about Tennessee’s state guidelines for traveling.  Patty Thurow, Expert Document Examiner from the USDA, also joined us via telephone to talk about international traveling and what additional preparations are required for your pets. 

Show Notes and Resources:

Dr. Tracy Dewhirst lists tips for traveling with your pets.

  • Make a plan and have a list of preparations needed prior to traveling with your pets.  Take a plentiful amount of pet food to last the duration of the trip; this prevents having to buy an alternate food while traveling which can ultimately cause your pet extra stress.  Be sure to take fresh water, food and water dishes, medications, toys, a leash, extra towels, and their bedding (if possible).  Bringing an animal’s bedding provides them with a familiarity that will relieve the stress of traveling and being in an unusual atmosphere.  A crate is also a good item to bring for when you get to your destination.  Animals will feel safer in new places if they have their crate to retreat to.
  • Make sure your pet’s tags have been updated and are securely attached!  Take extra precautions when traveling by car because pets have the tendency to jump out of a vehicle as soon as doors are opened.  Be overly cautious with leashes.  In case an animal does get loose, microchipping and GPS collars are an excellent addition to identification tags and will aid in reuniting you and your pet. 
  • Sedatives are a good way to calm nerves and hyper-activity during car rides.  Be sure to administer a sedative prior to the departure date to check for reactions and side effects that the drug may have on your pet.  Speak to your vet to acquire the appropriate sedative and dosage for your particular pet.  Pet sedation during flights is not a good idea because you are unable to monitor their behavior or reaction to the medication while the pet is loaded below the plane. 
  • Be sure to check with the place you are staying to see if they allow pets and check their policy on the animals being left alone while you are away.  Many pets, especially cats, get very nervous and agitated with traveling short distances, such as a trip to the veterinarian.  Never travel with pets that typically become uncomfortable during short car rides!
  • When moving with pets, never bring animals to the new location until all furniture is moved in and someone will be staying in the new location with them over night.  Contain animals in a room while moving furniture to prevent them from running off during the chaos.  Moving can be very stressful for animals and can cause even the most obedient pets to act out of character and run away. 
  • Never attempt to travel with a horse until it is accustomed to the trailer, especially when traveling long distances.  Make sure the trailer has good ventilation and stop regularly to walk the horse for exercise.  Horses can suffer from laminitis if they are on their feet for hours at a time with no movement or exercise.  Wrap the horse’s legs for the trip to aid in the prevention of injury.  Be sure to bring all state required documents including a health certificate with proof of a negative Coggins test.  For people who frequently travel with their horses, 6 month passports are available to eliminate monthly health assessments. 
  • One caller called and made suggestions for transporting saltwater aquariums.  Bag the fish and put into a Styrofoam cooler.  You can run an oxygen line from the tank.  Leave about an inch of water above the gravel in the aquarium to keep bacteria from dying.  To transport coral, place a battery-powered heater in a bucket with the coral.  Ensure water movement by pouring a cup of water over the coral.  Visit www.coralforum.com for more aquatic traveling tips. 

Call-In Guest: Becky Huckaby, McGhee Tyson Airport Spokesperson

  • When dog shows and other pet-related events take place, pet air travel increases significantly.  Owners are flying with ferrets and other small animals more frequently.  Prior to reserving a flight, check airline requirements for pets.  All airlines are different in terms of restrictions, requirements, and vary with each type of animal.  Some states require health certificates.  Even though some airlines may not require health certificates, certain destinations do (especially international locations).  Also check with your departure airline with connecting flight procedures and regulations.   
  • Animals that are placed in under the plane never get too cold or too warm due to the pressurized temperature-controlled compartment that they are placed in.  Animals are not allowed to board if the flight will travel through a location with a temperature higher than 85 degrees or lower than 45 degrees.   
  • Animals should be accustomed to their kennel prior to traveling.  They should have plenty of space and feel comfortable.  Never put a choke collar on a dog before flight.  Choke collars cause restriction and may cause the animal added stress.  Do not take animals with aggressive tendencies on flights.  If any sign of aggression is detected prior to take off, the animal will be removed and forbidden to fly.  Separation from owners can cause well-behaved animals to act out aggressively, thus preventing them and their owners from arriving to their destination.
  • Label the crate in addition to the identification tags on the animal’s neck.  Be sure to include on the crate the name of the pet, a picture, your name, your destination, and your home address.  Put a note that explains the animal’s temperament.  Many times, dogs that are labeled friendly will be walked by grounds people (if treats and a leash are provided in the crate).  Instead of water, put a chunk of ice in the crate for the dog to lick.  If on the date of your departure the temperature has reached 85 degrees, do not allow your pet to fly.  Once the plane has left the gate, there is no access to the cargo hold.  Temperatures can get very warm in the cargo hold after leaving the gate and prior to take off (even though it is pressurized). 

Call-In Guest: Dr. Ron Wilson, Tennessee State Veterinarian

  • Traveling guidelines vary from state to state.  In Tennessee, dogs and cats are required to have a health certificate from the original state and a rabies certificate stating that the animal has been tested negative within the last year.  The only exception is if the visit to Tennessee lasts less than 15 days and the animal will be leashed at all times and not come into any contact with other animals.  For people participating in pet events such as dog shows, this exception would not apply.  Usually event staff will ask for health certificates and rabies vaccination verification upon arrival.  All regulations vary by species.  Most owners that take animals on trips are very responsible, but need to be aware of pet laws.  Vehicles transporting livestock or horses will usually be stopped to verify all certification.  To learn more information on Tennessee pet regulations, visit www.state.tn.us/agriculture.  Proceed to animal health regulations under animal health.  For all state regulations, visit www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs.

Call-In Guest: Patty Thurow, Expert Document Examiner from the USDA

  • Dogs and cats seem to engage in international travel more frequently than other pets.  International travel requires much paperwork and failure to meet requirements of health certificates, rabies verification, recent blood tests, and even microchipping can cause animals to become quarantined.  Many destinations require these tests to have been taken as recent as a month.  Begin making preparations for international travel with your pets as soon as possible.  Some countries such as the UK, Japan, and Australia can require documents to be processed 7 months prior to departure.  Many countries require a health certificate to be as recent as 10 days.  Also, check to see what vaccine protocols may be unique to the particular country you are visiting and inquire about their rabies policy.  Some countries require an additional vaccine to be administered within 30 days before an animal is allowed to enter the country, even if they are current on a 3 year rabies vaccine. 

Rescue of the Week: Collie Concern, Collie Rescue of East Tennessee

  • Collie Concern, Collie Rescue of East Tennessee is a non-profit, self-funded organization that has been rescuing abandoned and unwanted collies since 1994.  Their main objective is to find a loving and responsible home for every rescued collie.  To view their adoptable collies or learn more information about this rescue, visit http://www.home.earthlink.net/~collie_concern/ or find them on our rescue page!