Pet Travel Tips

Traveling for the holiday? Here is a quick go to list of what you may need whether traveling within the state, interstate or internationally:

• Microchip identification 

• Current microchip registration

•  Current vaccines

• Health certificate 

• Heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention 

• Flea and tick prevention 

• Secured vehicle travel

• Calming aid and/or car sickness preventative 

Why Microchip?

Pets should always be microchipped whether they travel or not. Most of our fur babies will lose collars and identification tags while on the run. All animal shelters, rescues and veterinarians have scanners to scan lost pets and find their family if they have these permanent ID’s.  When traveling internationally it is highly recommended and a lot of times it is required to have an ISO microchip. This is a 15 digit microchip that other countries can read with their microchip reader. 

Already Microchipped?

If your pet is already microchipped make sure that their microchip is registered and the information is current. Can’t find their microchip Information? You can have them scanned at any veterinarian and look up to see if there microchip identification number was registered and with what company at the following website: http://www.petmicrochiplookup.org/

Vaccines

 
 Vaccines are important when traveling because it is not only a requirement in some states and countries but a health concern as well. They will have more exposure to viruses. In addition, their vaccines might not include viruses that are not a risk in their current environment. Call your veterinarian and let them know your travel plans and ask if your pet would need any other vaccines. 
 

Health Certificate 
 

Many Airlines, interstate and international travel require health certificates for your pet to cross their borders. This is a certificate completed by your veterinarian after an exam. You can visit the following website to look up both state and country requirements:
 https://www.aphis.usda.gov
 Most airlines require health certificates within 10 days of travel. If traveling out of the country you will most likely need a USDA accredited veterinarian. Our veterinarian, Amrit Rai, DVM is a USDA accredited veterinarian.

  
Heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention

This is not only a requirement to enter some states and countries with your pet, but also a health concern for both you and your pet. Heartworm is a life threatening parasitic worm that affects both cats and dogs  and is transmitted by mosquitos. Heartworm prevention should also include a preventative for intestinal parasites that are dangerous to both humans and pets, such as roundworm, hookworm and whipworm. The center for disease control and veterinarians recommend this preventative to keep humans as well as their fur babies safe from these parasites long-term. Although, traveling with your pet puts them at an increased risk for both heartworm and intestinal parasites even pets that do not leave their backyard should be on prevention. Your veterinarian can prescribe a safe preventative that they should be on lifelong.

 
Flea and tick prevention

While traveling your pet will have more exposure to external parasites such as ticks and fleas not only is it a requirement in some international travel, but also a health concern. Fleas and Ticks transmit a lot of diseases that can make your pets very ill such as Bartonella, Tick fever, Lyme disease, Babesia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever .Some of these can also be transmitted to humans as well.  There are many safe preventatives that your veterinarian can recommend. 
 

Safe car travel

 
 Secured pets while traveling is not only safer for them but for you, as well. This can be easily accomplished with the use of pet seat belts or a crate that is secured in case of an accident, sharp turn, or abrupt stop. 
 

Calming aid and/or car sickness preventative

Many pets are anxious while traveling. Anxiety is shown in many ways such as panting, pacing, and/or vocalizing. This is considered a medical issue and should be treated. Your veterinarian can prescribe a safe anti-anxiety aid to help with this in addition to pheromone products that will help as well. If your dog or cat vomits or salivates during travel your veterinarian can prescribe an anti-nausea medication to keep them comfortable .

Safe and Happy Travels!