If your pet gets sick while traveling, it’s even scarier than when it happens at home. Advance planning can make things easier. I hope you will never need these plans. But should the worst happen, you’ll be glad you’re ready.
sickness is coming
Pets get sick. We hate to even think about it – yet it’s part of our responsibility as pet parents. Illnesses or accidents that require a trip to the vet are hard enough when you’re at home, but it’s a little more complicated when you’re traveling.
While traveling full time, we did a lot of vet visits with dogs. And we’ve learned that a little advanced planning can save a lot of stress. We hope these tips give you food for thought. And that you will never have to use them!
LEARN MORE ⇒ How to tell if your dog has a fever
Advice if your pet gets sick while traveling – Preparation
1. Pack a good first aid kit. Whether you buy one or assemble it yourself, you’ll have everything you need to deal with minor cuts, splinters and stomach aches. See our list of recommended first aid supplies on our Amazon store. Or our article on making a first aid kit for pets. Next, take the time to familiarize yourself with the contents of the kit. You can even take online courses on basic first aid procedures before you need to use them.
Discuss with your veterinarian the appropriate dosages for common medications (such as antihistamines or aspirin) that your pet might need to take. There are also how-to books and videos that walk you through the steps to help your pet in the most common emergency situations.
LEARN MORE ⇒ How to make a pet first aid kit for your car
2. Pack your pet’s medical records. In an emergency, remembering your name, let alone the details of your dog or cat’s medical history, will be a challenge. Before leaving, scan their medical records and store them on a USB drive. It’s easy to pack and the emergency vet will have all the information they need right at their fingertips.
Some veterinary practices offer online digital records with an ID. If your vet does, be sure to set it up before you go!
3. Don’t forget your veterinarian’s contact details and fax number. The emergency vet might have questions for your vet. Or they may want to send follow-up reports and instructions. Don’t waste time looking for contact information. Having the contact information will allow the vet and technician to spend more time on care and less time on paperwork.
4. Have a muzzle your dog is comfortable in. Many emergency hospitals do not allow you to accompany your pet into the examination area. And some dogs, when in pain, in an unfamiliar environment and surrounded by strangers, might react to “defend” themselves. A muzzle will keep everyone safe. And for your dog, wearing a familiar muzzle will help reduce stress.
Be sure to practice putting the muzzle on your dog before you need it. Teach your dog that a muzzle is a magical treat dispenser. They’ll be looking forward to wearing it in no time.
LEARN MORE ⇒ What you need to know about emergency vets before you need them
5. Know where the emergency veterinary hospital is. You probably know where to take your pet in an emergency when you’re home. But when you travel, you’ll need to research area veterinary hospitals and note their location and hours.
You can search for vets where you are staying on the GoPetFriendly search tool. You will find them under “services” and under “facilities” you can find those that are open 24 hours a day. Search Now will save you time when every minute counts.
Advice if your pet gets sick while traveling – in the moment
6. Rely on your friends or social network for veterinary recommendations. Years ago, Ty developed a high fever and became dehydrated while we were visiting a big city. There was no trouble finding a vet – in fact, there were so many we didn’t know which one to choose!
Having a personal recommendation is always helpful, so we posted our dilemma on our Facebook page, and within minutes I received a suggestion for a local vet. The doctor was able to get us in on a Saturday morning and the care we received was fantastic.
7. Determine the visiting policy. Although emergency veterinary hospitals are unlikely to welcome you into the trauma area, some allow you to visit your pet when it is stabilized.
Once, when Ty was to be observed overnight, the hospital staff allowed me to sit with him outside the kennel whenever he was not treating another emergency. It made us both feel better!
When the emergency is over
The emotions and stress of an emergency often make it difficult to think clearly, but a little preparation will allow you to give your pets the best possible care. And, we hope it’s a bit like taking an umbrella on a day with a chance of showers – if you take it, it’s definitely not going to rain!
If the worst happens and you feel well prepared, treat yourself. You deserve it!
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