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Travelling with a pet usually involves more than putting the animal
in a car and driving off, especially if you will be driving long
distances or be away for a long time.
If your
pet is not accustomed to the car, take it for a few short rides
before the trip. This can help keep your pet from becoming nervous
or agitated, and may lessen the effects of motion sickness. If,
after a number of practice trips, your pet continues to cry
excessively or becomes sick, consult your veterinarian.
Buckling
up is an important safety precaution for your pet. Restraints have
several advantages. They help protect pets in case of a collision,
and they keep pets from running loose and distracting the driver.
They also keep pets from escaping the car through an open window or
door. Cats and smaller dogs are often most comfortable in
pet carriers, which can be purchased in various sizes.
Carriers
give many animals a sense of security and familiar surroundings, and
can be secured to the car seat with a seat belt or a specially
designed carrier restraint. There are also pet restraints available
that can be used without carriers, including
harnesses, seat belt attachments, pet car seats and vehicle
barriers. No matter what kind of restraint you use, be sure that it
does not permit your pet's head to extend outside the car window. If
pets ride with their heads outside the car, particles of dirt can
penetrate the eyes, ears, and nose, causing injury or infections.
Excessive amounts of cold air taken into lungs can also cause
illness.
While
packing for your trip, remember to throw in a few of your pet's
favourite toys,
food
and water bowls, a
leash, and
food. You should also carry a first aid kit for your pet and
know basic pet first aid. If your pet is on medication, be sure to
have plenty for the trip, and then some.
Stick to
your regular feeding routine while travelling, and give your pet its
main meal at the end of the day or when you've reached your
destination. It will be more convenient to feed
dry food if your pet is used to it. Dispose of unused
canned food unless it can be refrigerated. Take along a plastic
jug of cold water to avoid possible stomach upset the first day, as
new areas can have minerals or bacteria in their water supply that
pets need time to adjust to. Give your pet small portions of both
food and water and plan to stop every two hours for exercise.
Remember
that your veterinarian is a good source of information about what
your pet will need when travelling. Consider having your pet
examined before you leave as well, to check for any developing
problems. Have your current veterinarian's phone number handy in
case of an emergency. Also, be sure to travel with a copy of your
pet's medical records, especially if the animal has a difficult
medical history.
Some
pets travel better while tranquillised. Tranquillisers can lessen
agitation and motion sickness in pets travelling by car. Discuss
this with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may suggest giving
your pet a tranquilliser three to four weeks before your trip to
check the dosage and adjust it if necessary.
Find
hotels, motels, and campsites that accept animals and book them
ahead of time. Learn more about the area you will be visiting. Your
veterinarian can tell you if there are any diseases like heartworm
or Lyme disease and vaccinations or medications your pets may
require. A health examination following your trip should be
considered to determine if any internal parasites (roundworms,
hookworms, heartworms) or external parasites (ticks, fleas) were
picked up in contaminated exercise or wooded areas.
To avoid
losing your pet during a trip, make sure your pet is wearing an
i.d. tag. To be doubly protected, consider having your
pet tattooed or having a microchip implanted.
Source;
www.healthypet.com |
