Taking Your Dog On Holiday - Pet Passports, Dog Ticks, Dogs In Cars, Pet Friendly Accomodation

Continuing on the holiday theme!

There can be quite a few potential problems when taking your dog on holiday.
- Are you going abroad with your dog?
- Do I need to worry about dog ticks and Lyme's Disease?
- Is your dog car sick or travel sick?
- Where to stay with your pet dog?
- What if my dog falls ill?
- What to do if you have to leave your dog in the car.

Going Abroad with Your Dog - Pet Passports

You will need to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to organise the paperwork, vaccinations, microchip, and rabies blood tests. You also have to arrange to see a vet before you return home.

Refer to my Dogs A-Z blog archive for 23/02/2008 and 10/02/2008

Also I suggest visiting the following links:

- the DEFRA site : http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm

- the British Veterinary Association (BVA) :

http://www.bva-awf.org.uk/resources/leaflets/Taking_your_pets_abroad.pdf


Ticks On Dogs and Lyme's Disease

Ticks have to be remove completely and carefully as soon as possible. The bite must then be very thoroughly cleaned.

Lyme's Disease is curable if caught early. If you suspect any problems get help at once - don't wait until you get home.

Please refer to my Dogs A-Z blog archive for 19/03/2008 , 19/07/2008, 10/05/2008

Als0 visit the following links :
http://www.responsiblepetlovers.co.uk/aboutticks.asp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/lymedisease1.shtml
http://www.defra.gov.uk/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-403237/Fears-Lyme-Disease-ticks-flourish.html

Is Your Dog Travel Sick?

- Your vet can prescribe drugs, but they can make your dog very drowsy for much longer than the journey time.

- Get a car sick dog used to the car. Feed it in the back of your vehicle while it is stationary - the dog then associates it with something nice! Take your dog on increasingly longer trips ( stop before it gets sick!)

- Ginger settles the stomach. A ginger biscuit given before the start can be beneficial.

- Take plenty of breaks. Give your dog a short walk.

- Make sure the dog is comfortable (my greyhounds have their quilts to lie on)

- Ensure plenty of ventilation through the vehicle

- Only give a very light meal before departure - or possibly starve.

- Important. If travelling by air speak to your vet and the airline. This is also a good idea if taking a long sea crossing.

See my Dogs A-Z blog archive for 23/02/2008

Where to Stay with Your Dog

Pet friendly accomodation is so important.

- Look out for 'Pets Welcome' or 'Dogs welcome' signs and descriptions.

- There is usually a dog symbol in holiday guides

- Speak to your friends and colleagues

- Ask the locals if your stuck, including the local Tourist Board.

- Always check with the owner that they will accept your dogs

Finding somewhere to eat can be problem.

- Again ask the locals

- Don't be afraid to walk into a pub and ask if dogs are allowed. You can almost always sit outside with them at tables.

What if my dog falls ill on holiday?

- Look on the internet or yellow pages for vets in the area where you are going BEFORE leaving home.

- If your dog is on medication make sure that you have enough.

- Take your vet's phone number in case they need to be consulted.

- Make sure your pet insurance is valid and take the certificate or policy details with you

- Take a doggy first aid kit. You can buy these.

- I suggest that you have the following items: a) claw clippers, b) tick remover c) muzzle (if your dog needs one for vet type things) d) salt to make solution for bathing cuts etc. e) wound powder for small cuts etc. f) blunt ended scissors g) micropore tape h) cotton wool i) kitchen towel j) tweezers

Dogs In Cars

A potentially serious problem! AVOID doing it.

Obviously try to avoid leaving your dog unattended for long periods.

Beware of dog thieves!

Plenty of ventilation - all windows left open by at least 4 inches/ 10 cm. (the width of your hand)

Leave the car roof open - hot air rises!

PARK IN THE SHADE - an absolute must. Temperatures can soar in minutes inside a vehicle - even with ventilation

Offer your dog water to drink at regular intervals

Check often

Take it in turns for somebody to stay with the dogs with the doors open if possible

The hottest time of the day is around 3pm in the UK.

A Final Word On Going On Holiday With Your Dog

Prepare everything in advance.

Take plenty of poo bags

Don't forget your dogs food, bowls, toys, leads, bedding, medication.

Above all Relax and Enjoy!

We Took the Dogs on Holiday to the Lake District - Our Greyhounds Loved It.

We've recently got back from a great holiday in the Lake District just south of Coniston. The weather was fantastic. It was warm enough to have a swim in the sea! There were very few visitors where we were staying. Our two greyhounds loved it.

The dogs love the car (an estate) and are really good travellers. In fact, greyhounds are good travellers.

We stayed in a cottage on a farm. You can walk straight out onto the fell. Dogs are very welcome.

A lot of the local pubs are dog friendly. We were able to have the dogs with us while we had a meal, as long as no other diner minded them being there. Good local food and beer.

One pub we went to was The Greyhound Inn near Broughton-in-Furness. Dogs welcome (subject to the approval of the resident dogs!). They have a Pharaoh Hound. I can highly recommend this pub. More details at http://www.lakedistrictletsgo.co.uk/greyhoundinn.html

This is Olive our greyhound girl (12 years old) refusing to leave the beach!

There was a strong wind blowing the sand so we had to watch the dogs eyes. If this happen gentle bathing with clean warm water or salt water (a teaspoon per 500ml) will usually clean the eyes.

She also enjoyed the sea! (which was good for her paws - another corn has appeared.)

Olive doesn't do much uphill work now. She has arthritis. So when we went up on the fell we were able to leave her behind in the cottage. Now that is dog friendly accomodation!

Boris, our 6 year old greyhound dog, loves the fell. So did our old boy Spot. We put some of his ashes upon the fellside.

To make for easier walking I use a long lead rein instead of the usual clip lead. It only cost me £2.50. By putting a knot in the end of the rope you have a good hold. We don't let the dogs off lead on the fell because of the sheep that roam free.

The fells are covered with tall bracken at this time of year (July/August). Tick country. So I had to remove a few from Boris. We also had to check ourselves as well as the dogs. This particular place isn't too bad (Woodland Fell), but a couple of miles away we've had a big problem with ticks.

There is normally a visible path through that lot!

Anyway a good time was had by all!