By Will Sennitt MRCVS, Ryedale Vets
Summer is just around the corner – hopefully with a little less rain – and you may be thinking about getting away with your family and maybe even your pets. Our pets can certainly enjoy holidays too, but there are important things to consider to make your trip a success.
Planning ahead is vital. If you are travelling far from home, its a good idea to research where the nearest veterinary practices are in case of emergency. All vets should provide information of their out-of-hours emergency provision. If your pet has an ongoing condition that requires medication or treatment, you may find contacting a vet local to your accommodation can get them ready for any potential visits.
When booking your place to stay, make sure they can accommodate pets and check for any specific rules you need to follow when you arrive. Some places may ask for additional fees to cover the cost of cleaning. Many camp sites are dog-friendly but it’s always prudent to ensure you have the means to keep your dog within your pitch. You can buy stakes that go in the ground designed for leads to be attached – if using these, you should always make sure your dog has plenty of access to shade and water. Dogs should also never be left tied up unattended.
Being in new surroundings can be stressful for some dogs and it may be difficult for them to settle initially. Taking something along that is familiar, such as their crate or a blanket that smells like home, may make the change less stressful. There are also a variety of stress-relieving remedies available to try – our vets and nurses can advise on the best to suit your needs.
If we are lucky enough to see some sunshine this summer, you must always have provisions to protect your dog from overheating. You should always carry a bottle of water reserved for your dog to drink from. Dogs cannot sweat to cool themselves down, their tongues swell to drawer in more blood and pant to pass air over it. This evaporates saliva from the tongue and cools their blood. Because of this, dogs that become dehydrated can quickly overheat and become hyperthermic. Having a high temperature for too long can cause seizures and multiple organ failures which can sadly be fatal. Unfortunately, there is rarely a summer that goes by without the practice seeing a hyperthermic dog for emergency treatment at the practice. Dogs with shorter noses are at higher risk of hyperthermia because of the anatomy of their upper airway. It is for these same reasons that we warn every summer to never leave dogs in hot cars.
Travelling to the EU with a dog, cat or ferret requires even more preparation as they require and Animal Health Certificate, alongside a rabies vaccination. An Animal Health Certificate is a 10 page document that will be checked at the border of the first EU country you enter. Because of the detailed nature of the certificate and rabies vaccination requirements, it is best to let your vet know 1-2 months in advance of your planned travel date. This will help ensure your trip abroad will go without a hiccup!
If you have any questions about caring for your pet whilst you’re away from home, just give us a call or send us an email.
Station Road, Helmsley, YO62 5BZ
Tel: 01439 771166
133 Eastgate, Pickering YO18 7DW
Tel: 01751 472204