To Tranquilize or Not

If you are planning a long car or airplane trip with your pet, you may be considering tranquilizing your furry travel companion. But is this the best approach?

If your trip is by airplane, the airlines often have regulations about tranquilizing. Some do not allow any animal travelers to be tranquilized at all. Others only allow tranquilizing with a note from a veterinarian saying the animal is healthy enough to be tranquilized while flying. Others do not require a statement from a veterinarian, but do not allow animals younger than a certain age or older than a certain age to be tranquilized.

So, the most important thing to do if you are considering tranquilizing your pet for a flight is to check with the airline's website for their requirements. If your questions are not answered by their website, then contact their toll-free number. It is better to have your questions answered ahead of time than to discover that your pet will not be able to fly until the tranquilizers have worn off.

If your trip is by car and you are considering tranquilizing your pet, the most important thing to consider is your pet's age and health. Also, pet breed plays an important factor. Snub- or pug-nosed breeds of dogs and cats often have hereditary respiratory problems, and can easily experience heatstroke or breathing difficulty in warm temperatures. If tranquilized, these breeds can be even more susceptible.

If your pet is very young or is an older animal, it is best to have a physical exam done by your veterinarian to determine whether your pet is healthy enough to be tranquilized. Your veterinarian will also be able to determine the best dosage for your pet. Young and older animals can often react differently to a drug dosage than an adult animal of the same size and weight.

Even if your pet seems healthy, it is a good idea to have your veterinarian perform a physical on your pet before tranquilizing. Your veterinarian may discover a heart or respiratory problem that could become worse under tranquilizers.

You may discover that once your pet senses that you have driven further than your typical "trip to the vet" mileage, he relaxes and enjoys the trip. So even if you have the tranquilizers in hand, you might wait to see if your pet relaxes during the first day's drive. If it is absolutely necessary to tranquilize your pet, you will want to do so about an hour before you are actually ready to get into the car. This is because the tranquilizers are less effective if your pet is already agitated.

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