The dogs and I have just returned from a trip up the east coast with stops in New York, Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts. The trip was wonderful: full of new adventures and visits with old friends but we are very happy to be home with the kitties. I got to spend a lot of time with the dogs and was able to introduce Poppy to the beach which she enjoyed. Sparkle has always loved swimming and I was hoping that Poppy would follow but it took my swimming in the freezing cold water to get her all the way in.
I thought I would post a few pointers for taking your dogs on driving trips. The most important thing is to be extremely cautious when leaving your dog in the car for any length of time. Temperatures inside a car on even a mild day can quickly rise to dangerous levels resulting in heat stroke. You should also offer your pup water frequently during the trip to prevent any dehydration.
Luckily my dogs do not have any issues with motion sickness but this is a frequent occurrence. Meclizine (Bonine) is an over the counter medication for motion sickness that is similar to dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) but causes less sedation. If you are taking a long trip and you know your dog is going to be sick ask your veterinarian about oral, prescription anti-nausea medications like Cerenia. Often anxiety or excitability can be a problem, there are also medications your veterinarian can prescribe that may help with this. Speaking with your veterinarian and planning ahead are an ideal combination for a safe drive that both you and your dog can enjoy.
Dr. Hughes, what are your thoughts on airline travel with pets? Our medium-sized dog is too big to fit under the seat of the plane, so our options are limited to sending him as cargo under the plane, or trying the new pet-only airlines, Pet Airways. We are going to California for Christmas and would love our pup to come with us.
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