Question for all those who have travelled anywhere with their dog!

[CBRorBust]

My mom and I will be taking a quick trip to San Antonio this next weekend. I REALLY don't want to leave my Shih Tzu with anyone because she is a lot of work. As far as grooming, her sleeping schedule, food, basically she's a brat and I love her! I just don't trust anyone to actually brush her hair daily so I don't come home to her with matted hair! I could leave her with my brothers or father, but that's exactly what would happpen.

I would love to take her with me. I've done my research and found hotels that will accomadate pets, and such things.

Here's the problem. She is not comfortable in Cars. She begins to breath really heavy, and gets really scared. This will be a 5 hour trip! She barely made it on a trip to Petsmart 10 minutes away. IS there any tips or advise you all can give me if I do decide to take her with me. Can out Vet give her any medication that would soothe her in the travel that won't turn her into a Zombie Dog?

I'd hate to have her here in Dallas without the proper attention. If you have a Shih Tzu, you'll know what I mean about her being a brat! They sleep all day! and LOVE to have you talking to them constantly.

 

[flyingcircus]

I don't know much about little dogs (mine is a 130 lb Newfie/lab mix), but how about putting her in one of those travel kennels. It seems that on the plane, the dogs do well with that. Maybe she will feel more comfortable in a smaller place, that she cannot see the trees whizzing by.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

There are drugs they can give the dog, and a pet kennel was a wonderful suggestion, but, I would get one a bit before the trip so the dog can get used to it.
As to the drugs, call your vet.

 

[ducklite]

I would be VERY careful about giving an animal a sedative. They can have some unexpected results, including causing the inability to thermoregulate. This is not a problem while at a vets office, where they can put the dog on a warming pad or place a fan on him. But in a car in the middle of no where it could be really bad.

There is a product called Rescue Remedy that is all natural and is supposed to calm animals, however I would NOT advise it to be used for the first time on a long trip.

By the sounds of it, your dog has car issues. They can often be overcome, but it takes time, which you do not currently have. In all honesty, that trip would be a lot more stressful to your dog than not getting attention for a few days.

Here are some suggestions on leaving him home with proper care:

1. Call your vet and see if there is a local Shih Tzu club, or if he treats other Shih Tzu's. If so, perhaps you can make arrangements with another owner to watch your dog.

2. See if one of his techs would be willing to come in a few times a day to care for your dog. If they won't, do they know anyone who will.

I work with a rescue, and deal with stressed animals all the time. I'ts not pretty. Animals do best in their own homes whenever possible. Another option--do you have a local vet school, agricultural college, or even a community college with a vet tech progem? If so, get in touch with a professor there and ask if they have a student who might be interested in a pet sitting/house sitting job. This is how I found my pet sitter (I usually have about 10 rescues sheltered at my house at any time). She is great, also works p/t at a vet's office. I leave very detailed instructions, and each time before we go away she stops over to meet the animals that she'll be caring for... because it's always different.

I am not a vet, but have a lot of veterinary care experience. IMHO you will be seriously risking the health of your dog if you subject him to that car ride. A dog who gets that panicked on a short ride could literally have a heart attack on a longer one. IMHO it's better to have to come home and shave your dog to remove the matts than to take the dog and have to come home and bury him.

Anne

 

[margaretCT]

Anne, we have three Shih Tzus, so I know where you're coming from. We feel guilty but we leave the dogs home with our kids (now 18 and 22) when we travel. I work out of my home so the dogs are used to having someone home all day. If my kids are going to be in school or at work most of the day, I have my girlfriend (who the dogs love) stop by during the day. We call every day to check on the kids, supposedly, but we usually end up just checking on the dogs!

Shih Tzus are finicky eaters. Even when we're home, sometimes one will go without eating much for a few days and then his appetite will pick back up. So, if they don't eat much while we're away, it's not too unusual and we tell the kids to be a little more liberal with the snacks.

As far as sleeping, we have one of the kids sleep in our bed since the dogs sleep in our bedroom. The kids don't mind because they get TV with cable in bed!.

As far as grooming, our dogs have puppy cuts so if we can, we arrange haircuts shortly before we go so matting isn't a problem. It sounds like your dog has long hair, but maybe you can consider a shorter cut for a while.

Anyway, we have left our dogs several times (with neices before our kids were old enough to stay home on their own) and they have done fine. They have made us "pay" too much when we get back. Our oldest dog is the worst. When she sees the suitcases come out, she knows something is up and makes us feel guilty while packing. All dogs are back to normal after a half-day back at home.

Margaret in CT

PS Maybe your dog would do better with a "friend". Get another Shih Tzu!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Anne,
Once again you have said what was on my mind.
I advised the vet hoping they would discourage the trip for the dog.
Ten rescues? My goodness Anne, pets, a little one, traveling etc. You must be exhausted most of the time.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We've never traveled with dogs, but we've taken 3 cats on an airplane in carriers from Hartford, changing planes in Dallas, down to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. First of all, my vet refused to medicate them, and at the time I was sure that was the wrong decision-thought they'd panic. But he said if we hit turbulence, medicated animals may get injured because they wouldn't have normal fast reactions. In retrospect I'm sure he made the right call, and they were surprisingly calm. Didn't put them in with the luggage-there are FCC regulations about if it's hotter than 95 degrees, animals aren't allowed in luggage on the flight. Well, Texas in July? We'd have waited forever! But we did have to check with the airline beforehand to find out the exact maximum height of the carrier allowed, then we just put them under our seat. Only problem was in going through security-they made us open the carriers while they "wanded" inside. Trying to hold the cat back and hoping it wouldn't jump out past me was a little scary! Oh, yes-and we had to carry the cats' shot papers at all times.