Summer is here and you are planning a holiday away from home. If you are like many modern families, you have included the family pet in your vacation plans, especially if the vacation involves an escape to a cottage retreat or a family road trip. If this is the case, you'll need to ensure that your furry travelling companions are safe and comfortable, both during and after the trip.
The most important thing that you can do to assure your pet's safety is to make sure they have more than one means of identification in case they stray or get lost. Often people think that a collar is adequate, but many pets slip out of their collars or otherwise lose them.
 If your pet wears an identification tag, make sure that the information is still readable on it, and that it is current - for example, if a telephone number is listed, make sure it's the number where you can be reached, not your home number.
A microchip provides permanent identification that can't be lost, but again, if the information that was provided at the time of registration has not been updated, the company won't be able to contact you!
Next, your pet should be up-to-date on its vaccinations, and don't forget to pack any medications that your animal is currently taking, including any flea or heartworm products.
Once you arrive at your destination, protect both your pet and the local wildlife from harm by using common sense. During breeding season, many wild creatures will be raising their young, and thus will be more vulnerable and possibly more aggressive (because of the need to protect their offspring). Porcupines and skunks are both more active during summer months, especially at night, and both are capable of inflicting injuries to an unsuspecting or curious pet.
If you're going to be near the water, be vigilant - not every pet can swim, and travel in boats can be especially frightening. For safety's sake, you should outfit your dog with a life jacket and clip on a leash before venturing out onto a boat. If you are taking your cat on a boat, confine her safely in a cat carrier.
The two most common hazards that pets encounter on the beach are broken glass and hot sand - both of which can injure your pet's paws easily. Watch out for dirty water - puddles and ponds may contain toxins, bacteria or parasites that could cause a serious infection. Don't allow your pet to use the beach as a bathroom facility.
Broken glass presents a hazard in the water, in the woods, and on the street. If your pet cuts its paw, you might be able to use materials such as bandages from your own first aid kit. However, be very cautious about using any topical medications on your pet, since few topical preparations are intended for internal use - but your pet can't read those caution labels and will instinctively lick a wound or any substance that is applied to the wound.
If you leave your pet in the cottage while you go out on the water, remember that heat stroke represents a serious threat to an animal confined in an unventilated space. And NEVER leave your pet in a parked car, not even if you've parked in the shade. At an outside temperature of 20oC (70oF), the inside of a car can reach temperatures in excess of 60oC (140oF) within minutes.
Finally, remember that toxic substances are often found at a cottage or vacation home, and storage areas for these poisons may be less secure than at home. Common toxins that are found at the cottage include rodenticides, wood preservatives, charcoal lighter fluid, paint thinners, and other chemicals. Many seasonal cottage owners use ethylene glycol (radiator antifreeze) to winterize toilets. The sweet taste of this extremely toxic substance is irresistible to pets, and represents an insidious threat that is easily overlooked in the excitement of arriving at your destination.
We hope that these suggestions will help you enjoy a happy and relaxing vacation and that your pet has as great a time as you do. For additional information about car or airplane travel with your pet, read the articles in the Pet Health section of our website, or call our clinic for advice.
Caution: These news items, written by Lifelearn Inc., are licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written permission of Lifelearn Inc. Please note that the news information presented here is NOT a substitute for a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by our clinic veterinarian.
| 
