When I was a kid, June meant that the summer break was just around the corner. The morning after school ended, my mum packed up my three sisters and myself, the dog, Gavotte, (a Briard, easily 70 pounds of panting, drooling mess) and every piece of luggage we could think of for the next two and half months and off we went in our little Renault 5 to our cabin up north. To those of you unfamiliar with that car, imagine a Mini Cooper but smaller. 🚙
Halfway through the three hour drive the dog had already vomited on most of us, my sisters and I were fighting and my mum was probably already envious of my dad who had to stay behind for work. The whole experience was hectic to say the least.
To those of you travelling with a pet this summer I wish you a very pleasant experience. Thankfully as a veterinarian, I can now offer insight into making this experience a lot more pet friendly and enjoyable for the entire family. Pheromone collars and pheromone spraysthat have a calming effect, to calming treats and CBD can be a more natural way to decrease a pet’s anxiety. Nausea and motion sickness can be addressed with anti-emetics like Cerenia. Our more anxious patients can be prescribed Trazodone, Gabapentin or a combination of both for more sedation. It’s important to discuss with your veterinarian, and even do trial runs prior to departure to avoid surprises (like an adverse reaction to a medication) the day of departure. Pets After Dark can help you navigate any concern you may have even if you’re away!
Vacationing without your pet? Think about kennels, but also explore the possibility of pet sitting at home by a trusted company like Rover, or any other local company. You must verify that they have good credentials and liability insurance and make sure to meet with the pet-sitter a few times before trusting him or her into your home.
At Pets After Dark, with your subscription, we will stay in touch with your pet-sitter as needed for any issues that may arise after hours, providing you with that extra layer of peace of mind.
Safe travels!
Dr. Caroline Simard-Swimmer
Medical Director and Co-Founder, Pets After Dark
