gailc

If she is in good shape - she should be ok - have you talked to the vet about it.
I have used those chewy stress recieves on Toby, but they don't seem to affect him either.
They won't allow an animal to be drugged though - they won't accept them if they think they have - more for their protection as if they are groggy and go through turbulence etc. they can't keep their balance and could get hurt.

Poppy girl

Correct if the airlines or authoritys suspect even if natural, pets have taken an anti stress formula then they will be removed from the plane, thats if they get that far, the reason is what if the pet has a reaction to the meds and vomits chokes ...........................

ElizabethK

She's in good shape for a 12 year old dog, she's just never been a good passenger in a car. I'm hoping that once she's in her travel crate she'll settle especially if I put in an old t-shirt of mine so she can get the scent

gailc

That is one thing they do suggest - an unwashed shirt or something.
I know it is worrying - I would be scared to death until we got there and saw them. I would spend the whole flight wondering how they are doing and probably bugging the crew to have someone go down and check on them. I think it is something they should do - regardless.

Celticspirit

You can't get into the hold from the cabin/cockpit. The crates are strapped to a pallet so they can't shift around.

gailc

That is what air animal told me as well, but it would be nice if they could - would give some piece of mind to the poor pet 'parents'

Celticspirit

I have flown dogs twice with no problems and mine are very tiny - Chihuahuas. They did really well and were not affected at all by the trips.

gailc

Mine is tinsy as well - weighs 8 lbs. King Charles Cav/mini poodle mix.
He is smaller than the smallest of our 3 cats -
I think I saw where you have mentioned you flew them overseas and back unless I am wrong.

Celticspirit

You are correct........my children were in college and I was recently divorced. I was in panic mode. I missed my kids too much and returned several months later.

ElizabethK

I won't even be on the flight with them I've decided it will be far too much for me to do on my own, so they'll be going on a couple of days before me.

My husband will collect them at the other end in Manchester. I will be frantic until I have seen them via Skype, hopefully settled and curled up asleep

dollface

If it's any help - we travelled back from Toronto to Manchester Dec 2012, with a 12 year Golden. I too was frantic (she was on the same plane as us) our dog wasn't a bad car traveller but wasn't overly keen, she was afraid of loud noises and a bit skittish. In her kennel we had a soft bed and an old t-shirt with our scent on it.

I was a blubbering mess when I left her at Cargo , a blubbering mess when I boarded the plane, so much so that the pilot asked to see me and assured me it would all be fine as he asked me the optimal tempreture she'd be comfortable at in the hold and set it to that while I was in the cockpit.

It was the worst flight of my life. Once we arrived at Manchester and went to collect her from the pet reception area, she was wandering about behind the counter, being treated like a lady - when she saw us she barked several times, wagged her tail at us as if to say WTF did you just do to me? she was in great shape! thankfully.

We stayed over at an airport hotel that night, we were all tired and stressed and I didn't want the dog to just come off a stressful flight then be put in the back of a car and driver for another 4 hours. It was the right decision for us all.

I think I was more stressed than the dog. 4 months in, she has settled right in. Good luck to you , it will be fine

gailc

I am sure we all worry for nothing - something you can't help.
I feel bad enough going away - hate leaving them

gailc

That probably is best.
Are you going with air animal or doing it all yourself.
They will come (for a fee of course) and pick them up from your house and take them to the airport.
It is a lot, especially when there is more than one.

ElizabethK

Yes I'm going to use Air Animal, the "door-to-arirport" option. I've been back and forth with Evelyn there ( as I know you have too) and she has put my mind at rest with all my questions and concerns.

it's just a case of waiting until I have a set date to leave USA once the house has sold before I begin the rushing round getting all the necessary rabies vaccines and microchipping done

Lorry1

Confused.com!

My vet has sent me a copy of the 3rd Country certificate for my dog but it's different from the one on the Defra website. One is old and one is new and I don't know which is which

I have sent a copy to Defra by email so hopefully they will respond before I leave. They seem very slow on the emails.