Our Sudbury Vets Discuss Travelling With Your Furry Friends
The holiday season is quickly approaching!! Many people spend a portion of their holidays travelling to see friends and loved ones. Are you planning on a vacation and want to include your furry family member in the festivities but unsure how to go about it? Our Sudbury Vets at The Barrydowne Animal Hospital have some helpful tips for you.
Firstly, ensure your pet is healthy and able to participate in your planned activities. If you are unsure whether or not your pet is up to speed, a visit to our Sudbury Vets for a complete nose-to-tail health exam can put your mind at ease. We can also counsel you in considering important information before travelling with your four legged companion. Factors such as the age of your pet, the obedience level of your pet and whether or not your pet’s noise making (even if they are overcome with excitement) will disrupt your fellow vacationers all need to be taken into account.
Once our Sudbury Vets have given your furry friend a clean bill of health, it is important that you make certain you have thoroughly researched your destination before confirming your plans. Make sure that you are aware of pet policies before you arrive to make certain that these policies co-inside with your expectations. Things to take into account are quarantine requirements, pet lodging policies, and health and safety risks associated with your vacation paradise. Running into unexpected roadblocks can create a detour in any travel plans!! We can supply you with information on risks and preventions of various contractible diseases that may pose a threat to your furry family member. If your pet is on prescription medication, speak to our Sudbury Vets prior to travelling to ensure that you will not run out of medications for your pet while on vacation.
Our Sudbury Vets can provide the necessary vaccinations and documentation for your pets to travel abroad. Just as their human companions, our furry friends need proper immunizations to ensure that they have a safe and happy holiday as well. There is always the possibility that your pet may become disoriented in an unfamiliar location and will have to be retrieved from the local shelter. Could you imagine your pet becoming lost in a strange place?? Microchipping is an effective and permanent way to identify your pet and can be instrumental in reuniting you and your four legged family member.
Some pets experience motion sickness when travelling by car which can make for a very unpleasant ride for everyone. Our Sudbury Vets suggest gradually acclimatizing your pet to car travel. Start with short trips such as a ride around the block. Increase to longer trips with a rewarding ending for your pet such as a visit to the dog park, a trip to the beach or a hike in the woods. If you pet never seems to become accustomed to car travel, we may be able to recommend a product especially formulated for your pet that will help make the trip pleasurable for all.
To keep everyone healthy and happy, our Sudbury Vets advise never travelling with your pet loose in the vehicle. This may distract the driver with catastrophic results to both owner and pet alike. An approved pet carrier or pet car seat firmly secured in the rear seat is recommended for use. Our Sudbury Vets caution to never let your pet put his head out of the window. This may result in harm to both your pet’s ears and eyes due to flying debris. Never leave your pet in a parked vehicle. The temperatures within a vehicle can rise to an unbearable temperature resulting in heat stroke and maybe even result in death. When travelling with your pet always make frequent stops allowing your pet to stretch, get a drink and relieve himself.
Consulting with our Sudbury Vets at The Barrydowne Animal Hospital before completing your travel arrangements can make your vacation enjoyable and memorable for every member of your family. If you have any questions feel free to contact us at 705-566-4243 or visit our website at www.barrydowneanimalhospital.com or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BarrydowneAnimalHospital. Have a pawsitively safe and happy holiday season from The Barrydowne Animal Hospital!!
