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First aid when traveling with pets
Pet medical emergencies don't just happen at home. A few simple steps can better prepare you to help your pet with first aid treatment while you are traveling.
- When traveling, pack a simple travel-size first aid kit for your pet, similar to the one you have at home, along with an antidiarrheal medication that is safe for animals (ask your veterinarian to suggest a product).
- Be sure to have handy the phone numbers of your veterinarian, the national animal poison control hotline (888.426.4235), and a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital in the area where you will be visiting. You can obtain a list of emergency veterinary clinics by country/state on the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society's directory page at http://veccs.org/hospital_directory.php. It's a good idea to keep this URL with you during your travels as well, so you can find an emergency veterinary hospital wherever you are.
- Your pet should be wearing an ID tag (which should be labeled with your name, home address and phone number) in addition to a travel tag or collar with information on where you are staying while away from home, so you can be contacted while still in the area.
- Perform a daily "health check" on your pet when away from home. Contact your veterinarian or a local veterinarian if you are concerned about any physical or behavioral changes.
- For more information about traveling with your pet, see the AVMA's brochure, "What You Should Know About Traveling With Pets."
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= AVMA/SAVMA Members Only
