Flying -- Sedation?

[slahey2000]

Hello, I'm taking Linus and Kimchee on their very first airplane! We're travelling cross-country (6 hours total), and I'm wondering if I should give them sedatives or not? I'm hearing mixed things, i.e., that it helps them because they just sleep and that it is bad for them and makes the flight harder on them. Any advice appreciated -- thanks!

[a_jgonzalez]

It's not possible for you to carry them in the cabin with you??? I have a pet taxi that slides right unhderneath my seat so I never sedate them.

Just FYI

[YorkieRose]

NEVER sedate a dog flying in cargo...very dangerous. If they are going in the cabin, they shoudl do very well..there is something about the sound and motion that puts mine to sleep..and I put two in a carrier...never had one bark or make a sound.

[slahey2000]

Thanks for your responses. I am definitely bring them both in the cabin with me (I could never put them in cargo!), but I wasn't sure if I should sedate them for when they are in the cabin with me. I've purchased a pet taxi to put them in. One of my boys is a barker though, and I'm afraid that he will bark in the cabin. Do you sedate your yorkies for in-cabin flights?

[LuvtheCooper]

It's not a good idea to sedate them. Ideally, you should get them used to the carrier you will be transporting them in, so that isn't something unusual to them. I have a barker too, but because they are unsure of the situation, they tend to be pretty quiet. I have had mine give a few yips and growls, letting me know he wasn't thrilled, but nothing too loud and what with the plane noise itself, no one really heard him. I had people sitting just in front and behind me surprised I had a dog with me when we were deplaning.
Hope all goes well!!

[yorkielover46]

I have flown with my little Yorkie and she flies in the cabin with me. I would NOT sedate her. The hum of the engines put Tina to sleep and she slept all the way from NY to California. I wish I could have been so lucky. I sedated Tina only once (not for flying) and I almost lost her. If they are little,5lbs or less it is very hard to judge how much to give them. What is ok for one 5lb dog may overdose another 5lb dog. I found that out the hard way. Please don't sedate..........

[slahey2000]

Thanks for the responses! I'm definitely not going to sedate them. They are both around 4lbs, so it doesn't sound like a good idea. Meanwhile, fingers crossed that they sleep the whole way!

[Wylie's Mom]

I will have to be in the minority here . Used safely on a healthy dog, sedatives can make a world of difference on the amount of stress placed upon your pet. If your pet is used to a crate and/or loves its crate - a sedative probably isn't necessary and he'll probably do fine.

However, if you have a dog who hates the crate: stuffing him into a tiny, claustrophobic space with changing air pressures and odd sounds for 4-6 hours, without any release is placing your pet under a lot of unnecessary stress.

I've flown a lot w/ my dogs (neither of them see their crate as "hang out" places). Wylie (7.5 lbs) does really pretty well and stays pretty calm, although he may try to paw against his bag.

Marcel (3.4 lbs, and normally the relaxed one) went BONKERS the first time he flew and I thought I was going to lose my mind. He finally calmed down an hour into the flight - but I could not move a muscle or it would start back up again. The way home, I tried Benadryl (childrens) - which helps a little, but not really enough for him. This summer, we again flew home - Benadryl on the way out and Marcel still was bothered and made noise. So, on the way home - we gave Acepromazine - and it made a TOTAL difference. He could relax, be comfortable, be sleepy - stress free for him and us.

I really didn't want to have to use Ace. - but now realize that it can be used safely. If you go that route, it's probably a good idea to try a dose at home first to make sure your dog reacts safely. [It is never supposed to be used for cargo, btw]

Another thing - both our dogs get reallly hot under those seats - so we brought along those "gel packs" that you freeze and put them in their bags to keep them cool. Security didn't say a thing about, which was great.

[slahey2000]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I will have to be in the minority here . Used safely on a healthy dog, sedatives can make a world of difference on the amount of stress placed upon your pet. If your pet is used to a crate and/or loves its crate - a sedative probably isn't necessary and he'll probably do fine.

However, if you have a dog who hates the crate: stuffing him into a tiny, claustrophobic space with changing air pressures and odd sounds for 4-6 hours, without any release is placing your pet under a lot of unnecessary stress.

I've flown a lot w/ my dogs (neither of them see their crate as "hang out" places). Wylie (7.5 lbs) does really pretty well and stays pretty calm, although he may try to paw against his bag.

Marcel (3.4 lbs, and normally the relaxed one) went BONKERS the first time he flew and I thought I was going to lose my mind. He finally calmed down an hour into the flight - but I could not move a muscle or it would start back up again. The way home, I tried Benadryl (childrens) - which helps a little, but not really enough for him. This summer, we again flew home - Benadryl on the way out and Marcel still was bothered and made noise. So, on the way home - we gave Acepromazine - and it made a TOTAL difference. He could relax, be comfortable, be sleepy - stress free for him and us.

I really didn't want to have to use Ace. - but now realize that it can be used safely. If you go that route, it's probably a good idea to try a dose at home first to make sure your dog reacts safely. [It is never supposed to be used for cargo, btw]

Another thing - both our dogs get reallly hot under those seats - so we brought along those "gel packs" that you freeze and put them in their bags to keep them cool. Security didn't say a thing about, which was great.

Thanks! I had heard mixed things. Definitely something to think about. Both of my boys HATE being in crates. They much prefer to roam free or sit on my lap Our flight isn't until tomorrow (and I've already gotten the medicine just in case), so I will think about it all day and tomorrow!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by slahey2000

Thanks! I had heard mixed things. Definitely something to think about. Both of my boys HATE being in crates. They much prefer to roam free or sit on my lap Our flight isn't until tomorrow (and I've already gotten the medicine just in case), so I will think about it all day and tomorrow!

What you can do, is buy some Childrens Liquid Benadryl. Try flying without giving anything at all and see how they do, but bring the benadryl along (you'll also want to bring along an empty syringe you can squirt it in their mouth if needed). If they are going nuts on the flight, you could give the benadryl - but it will take about 30-45 mins to work.

Benadryl is mild, so you could give it anyway ahead of time - if you want. How much do your babies weigh?

[izzierj]

My Harlee HATES the crate or any bag that she would have to go into ....I have flown to Jersey and back to Az with her a few times..Never again !!!!!!!!!
One time my son brought her over here (we usually sneak her out and put her under the blanket) this time not....She scratched a hole in the mesh on the bag and it was awful...
One time we had to take her on the plane , I gave her 'Rescue Remedy" to relax her homeopathically, well, the plane didn't even take off yet and she was having a fit , panting, her tongue almost black from stress...The airline hostess announced if there was a vet on the plane, asked if we wanted to get off. (how could I, it was my son's bootcamp graduation)...A doctor and his wife who happened to be a therapist whose jack russell had similar anxiety on a plane had to give her Jack Daniels, yep, 2 drops (or whatever touched my finger) of Jack Daniels on her tongue...That's desperation!!! You had to be there, I needed to finish the bottle myself... (I didn't)....It was a grain whiskey , they said it would be ok....Well, it was, finally after about fighting off being nervous, she settled down and on my lap...They announced on the plane that she was alright and everyone clapped....What a trip !!! I will never do that to her again !!!
I don't recommed giving any animal liquor at all, except in my scary situation ...she's also 6yrs old and thinks she's the boss and would probably want me in that bag !! LOL And I would have gone in instead of her if I could have...

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by izzierj

My Harlee HATES the crate or any bag that she would have to go into ....I have flown to Jersey and back to Az with her a few times..Never again !!!!!!!!! One time my son brought her over here (we usually sneak her out and put her under the blanket) this time not....She scratched a hole in the mesh on the bag and it was awful...

Yep - and this is where sedatives have their place. Granted, we'd all prefer not to give them, of course. But when we have to travel with our dogs - and we have to choose between causing a stress level of 9 out of 10 for the dog - or giving a sedative, I'd choose a safely dosed sedative.

It's a medication, and it can be given safely.

[cesar49]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I will have to be in the minority here . Used safely on a healthy dog, sedatives can make a world of difference on the amount of stress placed upon your pet. If your pet is used to a crate and/or loves its crate - a sedative probably isn't necessary and he'll probably do fine.

However, if you have a dog who hates the crate: stuffing him into a tiny, claustrophobic space with changing air pressures and odd sounds for 4-6 hours, without any release is placing your pet under a lot of unnecessary stress.

I've flown a lot w/ my dogs (neither of them see their crate as "hang out" places). Wylie (7.5 lbs) does really pretty well and stays pretty calm, although he may try to paw against his bag.

Marcel (3.4 lbs, and normally the relaxed one) went BONKERS the first time he flew and I thought I was going to lose my mind. He finally calmed down an hour into the flight - but I could not move a muscle or it would start back up again. The way home, I tried Benadryl (childrens) - which helps a little, but not really enough for him. This summer, we again flew home - Benadryl on the way out and Marcel still was bothered and made noise. So, on the way home - we gave Acepromazine - and it made a TOTAL difference. He could relax, be comfortable, be sleepy - stress free for him and us.

I really didn't want to have to use Ace. - but now realize that it can be used safely. If you go that route, it's probably a good idea to try a dose at home first to make sure your dog reacts safely. [It is never supposed to be used for cargo, btw]

Another thing - both our dogs get reallly hot under those seats - so we brought along those "gel packs" that you freeze and put them in their bags to keep them cool. Security didn't say a thing about, which was great.

the ACE.....a question... can this sedative be used for grooming with a difficult dog? is this a prescription drug? also.. what dosage of childrens benadryl did you use? thank you

[romeos mommy]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

What you can do, is buy some Childrens Liquid Benadryl. Try flying without giving anything at all and see how they do, but bring the benadryl along (you'll also want to bring along an empty syringe you can squirt it in their mouth if needed). If they are going nuts on the flight, you could give the benadryl - but it will take about 30-45 mins to work.

Benadryl is mild, so you could give it anyway ahead of time - if you want. How much do your babies weigh?

does the liquid contain too much alcohol for them???

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by cesar49

the ACE.....a question... can this sedative be used for grooming with a difficult dog? is this a prescription drug? also.. what dosage of childrens benadryl did you use? thank you

I'm guessing it would help for that...but honestly in that case, I'd probably look into valium for the doggie - bc valium is usually considered even safer than Ace. (but valium can't be found small enough and convenient enough, for some dogs). Ace. is a prescription. There is a formula for Benadryl - but I give about 1.5 ml to Marcel and about 2-2.5 ml to Wylie.

Originally Posted by romeos mommy

does the liquid contain too much alcohol for them???

Childrens Ben. is considered safe for dogs, but if your dog has any medical issues, I'd clear it w/ your vet first.