by Dr. Amy | Aug 19, 2015 | Uncategorized
As much as we love our cats, taking them on vacation may not be the best way to express your affection. It’s the rare cat who travels well – they tend to like their own turf and their own routines, and travel upsets both of those things. So, if you plan a short trip, a sitter or visiting cat-lover who cares for your cat at your home, might be the least stressful solution for all concerned. For an extended trip however, or – if your cat has that rare personality that lends itself to travel, here are some pointers to make the journey easier. First, make sure that your cat is examined and up to date on all vaccinations. Next, ask for copies of your cat’s medical records and take them with you on your trip. It might sound unnecessary, but in an emergency you will be glad that you have these when visiting a new veterinarian. And another important thing is to have your vet implant a microchip (painless and safe), and make sure that all of your contact information is recorded with the microchip company. I can’t tell you the number of pets who have scampered away while traveling but were soon reunited with their families because of a microchip. A found animal is scanned with a reader (all vets and shelters have them) and the number on the microchip is used to locate the owner. Long before your vacation date, get your cat used to being in a cat carrier. Leave the carrier out and open, and encourage your cat to go inside to get a...
by Dr. Amy | Aug 5, 2015 | Uncategorized
Before you automatically say ‘yes’, think twice about whether your choice of your vacation destination will be as much fun for your dog as it will be for you. If, instead of accompanying you on most of your vacation activities, your dog is confined to a hotel room – complete with strange smells, unusual noises and no one to play with – perhaps this is not the ideal vacation for your dog. On the other hand, if your dog travels well in the car, and if you can choose a destination where your dog is welcome and en-gaged, a drive-to get-away might be just the thing. Here are a few tips to enhance the safety and comfort of the trip. • In advance of the trip, make sure your dog is up to date on all its vaccines and smart flea and tick prevention. • Ask your veterinarian if there are any special medical consid-erations for the particular destination to which you are going. • Make sure to bring a copy of your dog’s medical records and vaccine history. This might sound like a lot effort but it is worth it for your dog’s health since in an emergency the new veterinarian will need this information quickly. Your veterinar-ian’s office can provide this. • Have your vet implant a microchip (painless!), and make sure that all of the information registered to that chip’s number is current and correct. I can’t tell you the number of pets who have scampered away while traveling but were soon reunited with their families because of a simple microchip. A found animal is scanned...
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