Travelling with Reno

trp

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This coming Sunday I'll be taking Reno with me to visit my dad for Thanksgiving. Thanks to everyone's wonderful help here we've established that Reno's somewhere in the range if 9-12 weeks old.

I'll be taking Reno with me in-cabin on two connecting flights across the country. The minimum age requirement for taking kittens and puppies on flights is 8 weeks, so he meets that qualification. He'll be getting his shots and Frontline today. So I have a few questions..

#1: If he gets his vaccinations on Tuesday and comes on the trip Sunday will he be well enough? I know vaccinations typically make kitties a little under the weather but I'm assuming that's only for a day or so.. yes?

#2: I've flown dozens of times but never with a pet before. Is there anything I should be aware of before hand? Any tips from those with experience?

#3: Opinions on the sedation route? Reno, being an energetic little kitty, certainly isn't going to remain quiet in his little carrier for upwards of 5 hours. I've read that sedatives upset an animal's ability to maintain balance and adjust to changes in cabin pressure, so I've got very mixed feelings. My vet seems to think Reno will be safe with mild sedatives; enough to make him groggy but not put him out.

Reno's done extremely well with changes in environment (the poor thing's had to deal with life indoors and out, along with being hauled all over the place with all his vet visits). I've purchased a special carrier for the trip and in an attempt to ensure he's comfortable with it, I've left it open on the floor and put his food and water inside.

I'm just anxious to get everyone's thoughs since this is new territory for me and with Reno being as young as he is I want to ensure I go about the whole thing just right.
 

cyberkitten

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It's not wise to give kitties sedatives before flying since they can fall asleep and get caught up in a blanlet or have difficulty breathing. Also, some cats react exactly the opposite to some meds than they are supposied to - it wouold be best to see how he reacts first before trying it on an airplane!! I think you are cutting it a bit close to his surgery to be honest but he should be fine by then. What will you do if there is an emergency (bleeding postop) and you are on an airplane for example? Granted, this is so remote. I have travelled with my little Siamese from Halifax to Florida - a plane trip - one stop of about 4 hours with no probs at all but she is a seasoned traveller. He may do well too given that he is young.

Make sure the airline knows you have a cat and have a vet certificate up to date (most airlines cite 10 days pre flight but they all have different plolicies so check with your airline). Usually, they allow one cat per flight so make sure he will be the "only" kitty inflight, Ask to go on when pre boardiing is called. That gives you extra time to get adjusted.

Good luck!!
 
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trp

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Originally Posted by CyberKitten

It's not wise to give kitties sedatives before flying since they can fall asleep and get caught up in a blanlet or have difficulty breathing. Also, some cats react exactly the opposite to some meds than they are supposied to - it wouold be best to see how he reacts first before trying it on an airplane!! I think you are cutting it a bit close to his surgery to be honest but he should be fine by then. What will you do if there is an emergency (bleeding postop) and you are on an airplane for example? Granted, this is so remote. I have travelled with my little Siamese from Halifax to Florida - a plane trip - one stop of about 4 hours with no probs at all but she is a seasoned traveller. He may do well too given that he is young.

Make sure the airline knows you have a cat and have a vet certificate up to date (most airlines cite 10 days pre flight but they all have different plolicies so check with your airline). Usually, they allow one cat per flight so make sure he will be the "only" kitty inflight, Ask to go on when pre boardiing is called. That gives you extra time to get adjusted.

Good luck!!
Reno's surgery was at the end of September, his last cast was removed weeks ago, his wound is totally closed and already grown-over with fur, so I don't think his operation poses any possible threat.

I really don't want to sedate him but he can't be alone in a room more than 30 minutes without sitting at the door and crying. When he was still bottle-feeding and I had to keep him in a box at night he typically spent the first hour crying. If I were allowed to take him out of his carrier in-cabin I wouldn't worry about it but the airline's website says that's strictly against the rules. As far as vet papers and such, suprisingly they don't require them. I also got a carrier that meets their regulations, so I think I'm okay on that front. The problem just comes back to sedation.

I'll definately see if I can purchase an extra dose from the vet and test it on Reno before the trip. I didn't even think to do that, but ensuring he does well with the sedative beforehand sounds like a good plan.

Thanks for the advice.
 

seppolina

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I flew with my kittens for the 1st time when they were 13 months old. It was only an 1 1/2 flight but my girl, Pete Pete, is very sensitive & high strung & I was not as educated on cats as I am now (
) so I opted to tranquilize her. I WISH I HADN'T. It did no have the desired effect; she became frantic, cried the entire way, & even managed to get out of her carrier TWICE (she is an escape artist)! We have since flown much longer distances and she has never been sedated again, with excellent effect.

If you really think that sedation will be necessary for Reno, you can try the homeopathic remedy Aconitum napellus 30C. Dr. Pitcairn (a leading homeopathic vet) recommends giving 1 pellet an hour before leaving the house, followed by another pellet a few minutes before leaving the house. He says that this will minimize fear & upset during travelling & often works better than a tranquilizer.

When I fly with my babies, I fast them for 8 hours prior to travel...they are allowed water until about 2 hours before we leave. I line the bottom of their carriers with wee wee pads (made for dogs) so that if they have an accident, they don't have to sit in a puddle.

Hope you & Reno have a safe & fun trip!
Amanda
 

erinandseamus

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The only advice I would add, is to be careful going through security. From what I gather, some airports have a private room that you can request so your cat doesn't struggle and get away from you. I wasn't able to do that. Seamus was quite chill, however, and spent the time going through security in my arms looking around and checking things out. He was also so interested in what was going on in the airports that he never made a peep. Oh, and when you try and put his carrier under the seat, I found it's easier to place it in the center aisle and slide it horizontally, rather then trying to squeeze it from above. Have fun! Erin
 
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