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Animal Doc AM Multi-Media
July 10th 2012 with Dr. Don DeForge
"Providing A Vacation for Your Pet"

It's that time of year again called: VACATION.  Why not take your friend with you this year on vacation!  Forget the boarding kennel, inconveniencing relatives, friends, or neighbors: hit the road this summer with your beloved dog or cat.

When taking your pet with you on vacation, there are some important tips to remember from Animal Doc AM, Dr. Don DeForge:
  • Create a detailed medical file of all of your recent exams, diagnostics testing, and include a letter from your veterinarian explaining in detail any medical conditions now being treated.
  • Make sure you have a vaccine history with you including your up-to-date Rabies Vaccine Certificate dated and signed by your veterinarian.
  • Make sure your pet is COMPUTER CHIPPED in case you get separated or the pet becomes frightened and runs away miles from home.  Most of the new COMPUTER CHIPS include medical history in case your pet needs insulin, cardiac medicines, etc.  The computer chip is implanted by your veterinarian with a large syringe.  Ask for a mild sedative or a pain medicine before it is placed.  If your pet is undergoing a minor anesthetic procedure and does not have a COMPUTER CHIP yet have it placed at that time.
  • If traveling out of state or to another country ask your veterinarian for the proper Health Certificate.  Some certificates, depending on destination, have to be co-signed by the State Veterinarian.  Do not wait to the last minute.  Do this one month before traveling.
  • If flying, speak to your veterinarian.  Some pets cannot fly because of age, injury, illness, or temperament.  Also, each airline has different boarding regulations.  Again, check 30 days before travel and definitely before selecting your pet-carrier airline.  In the summer, if your pet is too large to stay in the cabin with you be sure the pet-holding area of the plane is cooled to avoid heat stroke or death.
  • If traveling by car, 30 days in advance, check to be sure your lodging site will accept pets and what are their regulations on pets within their facilities.
  • Always bring a Pet Emergency Treatment Kit with you. Go to the Web and research the AVMA Pet First Aid site.
  • Bring a collapsible large portable kennel that can be placed outdoors when you make a rest stop.  It must be large enough for your pet and if traveling with a cat it is the best site for a litter pan after you stop for the night.
  • Always have fresh bottled water in your car.  When you stop for your soft drinks and water, your companion should also have access to a short drink during the summer.


Enjoy these Internet sites:
Traveling with Pets- www.cdc.gov
AAA Pet Book
AVMA Travel Section
AVMA First Aid Site

Have a great summer vacation with your pet from Animal Doc AM, Dr. Don DeForge!

Dr. Don DeForge
Silver Sands Veterinary
17 Seemans Lane
Milford, CT. 06460
203-877-3221
E-Mail DonDeForge@aol.com
E-Mail CDRSVMD@yahoo.com
Visit us on FACEBOOK at Silver Sands Veterinary
Feel free to contribute to this Blog; we want to answer your questions at any time!

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