Sedating furry friends for flight

The airlines will not let you sedate your pet traveling in the cargo hold because there is no one to check on their status. You can use a mild sedative for in cabin pets (under 20th. Lbs ) because they are with you at all times.

OK great thanks!

I gave my dog some sort of natural anti-anxiety thing on his first trip, and he had diarrhea when I walked him in Miami between flights. Never used it again, and he never had the issue again, and has flown possibly 20 or more roundtrips since then.

When we flew our big dog down we used doggie valium. We got it from our vet. Ask your vet about it. We just gave her enough to relax her.
Had to give it to her during thunderstorms also.
It just helps them to chill out. She seem very relaxed when she arrived in STX.

Different dogs (pets in general) react differently to sedatives so if preparing your dog/cat for meds on a long flight, one should first give at home while home well in advance of your travel plans to see individual animal's reactions.

This goes for geting them used to being in a travel crate prior to departure as well. You don't want to wait until the day of flight and have them freaking out on you or completely knocked out. Talk to your vet about options.

what about a thunder vest

Like Alana said, you can test the Valium first on your pet. But just remember your pet will not be under any stress at home. So the affects will be different. You can give them a very small dosage and see how they do. When they are in a stressful situation you will have to give a higher dosage.

We did buy the crate a month before we left. My husband got in the crate first then our dog followed. We put one of my husbands shirts in the crate so she could smell his scent. She ended up sleeping in it every night before we left. She actually liked it.

Lol margaritagirl! Your hubby fit in the crate? What do y'all have, a great dane? mastiff?

speee1dy: looks interesting, might have to try one out

We lightly sedated ours. Drug from vet. Airline didnt even ask. She was in cargo. Do it mildly. Ask vet for drug to try out and see how she does. Good luck. Ours made it fine. She had only been trained to car ride a few weeks before flight. Her decision not ours. Get her use to kennel weeks in advance if possible. Becomes their "safe haven". Good luck.
I will say a doggie prayer.

Thanks everyone! A little anxious about the flight and the other posts about stray or out of control dogs on the island.

I was told by two vets that altitude and sedation was a recipe for disaster. It's stressful but not that bad. They'll be fine. If you're really worried for them, charter a private flight. It's not as bad as you think $$ wise.

There are a lots of stray... More so owned dogs that their irresponsible owners let them roam free. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE fence your pet or keep them inside.

I wonder what kind of sedation they used in the 80s regularly on animals traveling. We used it, and I remember my dog being zonked but staying awake cause he knew something was going on,

What about drugs like Propranolol?

Propranolol (INN) is a sympatholytic non-selective beta blocker. Sympatholytics are used to treat hypertension, anxiety and panic. It was the first successful beta blocker developed.[1] Propranolol is available in generic form as Propranolol Hydrochloride; marketed in India under brand names like Ciplar and Ciplar LA by Cipla, also other brands from AstraZeneca and Wyeth under brand names Inderal, Inderal LA, Avlocardyl, Deralin, Dociton, Inderalici, InnoPran XL, Sumial, Anaprilinum, Bedranol SR

Sorry for the cut and paste, but I took it for a short period but it gave me abdominal cramps so I can't take it. From what I understand you can't get high and overdose on this requires that you take a whole lot.

I dunno, just a suggestion maybe somebody can pass by their vet.

The animal can have respiratory issues when drugged and with no one around to check on them, they can die.

Don't risk it, they'll be fine. Thunder vest.

Petra, I know, it was funny to see my husband get in the crate. We had a very tall German Sheppard. The crate was huge. She was 8 years old when we flew her down.
We drove to Miami, we only wanted her on one flight.

Again, talk with your vet. He made us feel very comfortable about giving her doggie Valium. She wasn't knocked out, she was awake and feeling chilled out.

As far as strays, I have 2 more dogs that I have been feeding for 2 weeks now. Very skiddish, can't get near them. The animal shelter is so busy and has no help. I've been on a waiting list for 2 weeks now for a trap.
This makes 6 dogs this month that I have either taken to the shelter or they have trapped on my property. People just keep dropping them off in our area.
My husband said he saw a new dog that must of gotten dropped off in our area last night. This makes 3 now.
It's crazy. I feel so bad for these dogs. They are so scared.