Asking

[syrenatricksy]

Sigh. Well, I had thought that my ex would be able to take care of Eliza (see LJ icon for cuteness) over the Christmas break while I'm in Texas, but that is not to be. So, I thought I'd draw on the combined wisdom of my LJ dearies to see if anyone had any advice about flying with a dog. She's 12 pounds, so I believe that it'll be no problem to

Comments

[ellen_fremedon2]

She should be fine. There is a sedative she can take--the vet will give you the right dose for her weight. My best advice to you is to have her leash ready. They make you take your pets out of their carriers to go through security, and I almost lost a cat that way! But she will appreciate being with you for the holiday--it's all for the best.

[syrenatricksy]

Thanks for the heads-up -- knowledge is power!

[imahobbit2]

If you already have the dog carrying bag.... start taking her for short walks....so she gets used to the bag and doesn't associate it with anything scary. I agree with EF2 that the leash is a good idea... pack snacks and when the big day comes you can put a t-shirt or something with your smell on it in the bag with her... a sock... something you've worn so it smells like you. I've flown with cats and dogs before (though never at the same time) and mostly they just want constant assurance that you're still there.... then they pretty much chill. I mean, think about it.... Eliza won't really know that she is in a large metal tube speeding above the ground at great heights.... she'll just think she and mommy are going on a really long errand. If you go with the sedation method.... then ignore the following 'cause I'm not a doctor, but if you're going to skip the meds then don't feed her for about eight hours before the flight... and no water for two hours before the flight.... if it's a long flight... carry a bowl with you so you

[syrenatricksy]

Thanks for the advice, Hobbit! I will go looking for a carry bag today so that, in case we do indeed fly, she'll be well acclimated to the carrier.

[elizawharton]

First, check with the airline and make sure you can bring her on the plane and don't have to put her in the cargo area. That can be very traumatic.

Second, I'd try Bach's "Rescue Remedy" to calm her down, and try not to sedate her. Many vets will not give you sedatives and have spoken out against it, because most animal injuries and deaths on planes are the result of sedatives. If anything happens -- cabin pressure changes, turbulence -- animals can adjust themselves to the changes. But when they're sedated, their bodies can't always respond the way they may need to. Not sedating her may be inconvenient to the other passengers, but so are screaming babies. And unless people are willing to start giving their kids valium, they should shut the hell up if your baby whines a little bit. But it will actually be healthier for her if you don't sedate her, and just give her a little bit of herbal medicine and lots of cuddles to help ease the stress.

[syrenatricksy]

The natural aspect of the Bach's is nice -- I don't care so much about the other passengers (well, I do, but Eliza is my first concern), but Eliza is so nervous in new situations, that my impulse toward a sedative is more in the hopes of keeping her more happy (and less freaked out) -- thanks for the recommedation!

[daggerquill]

Sedation is really a question of the lesser of two evils

[syrenatricksy]

Many thanks for the specifics on the measurement! Luckily, Eliza's Chihuahua ancestry makes her pretty compact, and her Daschund-ness makes her longer than she is tall -- so I am pretty sure that she'll meet the "carry on" requirements.

I need to do a little more research on the hold, as I know that airlines often won't transport animals when the temperature is below (or, in summer, above) a certain benchmark. But I take your point about the under-seat space cramping even a small dog's style ... !

[salient73]

I don't have a lot to add--no direct experience. There is sometimes a limit on the number of animals on a flight, so be sure to book as soon as possible to make sure you can get her on there.

As for the sedative issue--you know her best. I would have sedated Sammy regardless of the risk but would have been less likely to do so with Tryamour (who is nervous but not high-strung) and would have resisted it with Buddy (who had medical issues and was incredibly mellow--although he would have screamed like a baby the whole time, much to the annoyance of everyone else). Daggerquill is right--you need to decide which would be more harmful to Eliza, and no one knows her as well as you, so trust your judgment.

And it'll be nice for you to wake up with her on Christmas morning. The best part about staying in Boston for Christmas last year was that I got to share it with my fuzzy babies.

[syrenatricksy]

Eliza is both nervous and high strung, so my main concern is making her as comfortable and stress-free as possible. She's also spoiled and would probably protest at getting to be near me, but not in my lap (and I know that that's a big airplane no-no!). So I still need to figure out what is likely to be best.

But thanks for the heads up on the animal-flight-limit -- I didn't realize that, so I'm going to try to get this booked ASAP!

[salient73]

If you can get her under the seat, I think that is best. Even sedated, she may wake up and being able to reach down and touch her, for her to smell your hand, will reassure her.

The more I think about this, the more I think sedation is the way to go, as the hold completely freaks me out. Has she been sedated before? EF2 and I have had to dope cats to get them to the vet or to let the vet examine them (I'm thinking of Misty and Sammy here) and they had no ill effects. As long as you have a vet you trust. Even if you don't go with full sedation, we had something we used to give Misty that was enough to keep her drowsy and loggy for much of the time. Talk to your vet, and they will have a better idea.