Over the last few weeks, I have been attempting to dissuade pet caregivers /owners from requesting medication (both prophylactic and curative) from their veterinarian(s). I am mindful (though wary) that certain medicines have relatively harmless side effects, or none at all, and are sold over the counter without prescription. Dewormers, for example, can be given to the pet owner for him/her to administer to the companion animal at home.
If an animal really does not travel well, and has anxiety attacks when going from its home to the vet’s clinic, the veterinarian might relent and give the pet owner certain relatively harmless (no harmful side effects) medication(s) for that pet.
However, I cannot, and would not, advocate the provision of vaccines, sedatives, anesthetics, or those drugs known to threaten an animal’s immune system (which could result in an anaphylactic shock – a dangerous systemic and over-sensitive reaction).
In this regard, I advise (and commonsense dictates) that after administering a drug for the first time – (for example an antibiotic), the animal should remain in the clinic for at least 15 minutes, to observe its reaction and to ensure that there is no immediate side effect.
Veterinarians, many of whom have companion animals of their own, do understand the existential dilemma associated with travelling with one’s pet – whether for a relatively short distance in a car, or when a plane ride (even overseas) is involved. Vets recognize that pets are part of a family. Leaving them at home with a neighbour or with a specialized caregiver (pet sitter) can be very agonizing. In addition, there is such great happiness and enriching togetherness when the canine companion accompanies the family. Dogs, in particular, have no inhibitions in exhibiting their excitement for going with the family on an appropriate vacation.
Within this latter context, I would like to suggest that some planning must be involved. If the length of the drive entails stopovers at hotels, then the pet caregiver must ensure that the hotel accepts pets as part of the familial accommodation; and whether there is an extra fee demanded. Moreover, you may wish to enquire on the on-feed options. Hotel foods are notorious for adding spices/ condiments/flavour enhancers to their meals. Such additions to the diet can result in visible discomfort (vomiting, diarrhoeas, etc.) to your pet. For this reason, you may wish to carry enough of the food that your travelling companion is accustomed to.
Drinking water must always accompany long trips. Actually, a feeding and exercise schedule can be prepared before the trip.
Further, where lengthy overland drives are contemplated, ensure you build in road stops (for your pet’s urinating and defecating, as well as some road walks with your pet on a leash).
What about medication? “Bugs” (ticks, lice, mites, worms, etc.) are ubiquitous in the tropics. If you are proceeding on a lengthy overland trip, I would suggest that the dog be medicated against endo- and ectoparasitic creatures. These medications would have an efficacy period of at least three weeks in the animal’s body, protecting your pet from a host of parasites and their life cycles.
The aforementioned recommendations are specific to road travel. I maintain that there is really no need for sedation of your pet when it is travelling with the family. My own experience is that dogs love partaking in the environment as it whizzes by. They are interested in the changing surroundings – the views, the smells, the cars, etc. When they are tired of visually engaging with the novel surroundings, they’ll curl up in their blankets and relax and sleep.
Of course, it is imperative that you take your pet’s accustomed paraphernalia, viz favourite blanket and toys.
Lastly, it is not a good idea for you to allow your pet to put its head out of open vehicle windows. I see that so often as I drive along Guyana’s roads. It looks cute, and other motorists give supportive gestures to this novelty. The air dries up the necessary defensive fluids that cover the eyeball, making the eye surface much more conducive to eye infection. Of course, flying debris (sand, insects, etc.) from the road can actually damage the eyeball. And you may well experience the worst, where the dog becomes agitated by seeing a walking dog/cat or some other excitable object, and jumps out of the car and is knocked over by another vehicle.
I must also plead with reader to never let your children place their heads outside the car’s open window.
Next week, we will address airline travel. That’s a totally different ball game, which needs special attention.
