Cruising With Your Pet-Sailing the Intracoastal Waterway With Your Pet

Discover Pamlico County at...
                                Pamlico-NC.com
                    The Online Magazine of Pamlico County North Carolina

                                           Cover    Contents    Advertisers

Cruising With Your Pet
TIPS FROM SAILOR/VETERINARIAN BOB MOORE OF ORIENTAL VILLAGE VETERINARY HOSPITAL

What can you do to make your cruising trip with your pet a pleasant experience? Plan ahead!

Always check with your regular veterinarian, if possible, prior to departure for their input on or suggestions that may be unique for you and your pet or your destination.

Have a copy of the vaccinations your pet has had and any pertinent information about your pets past health.

Beware of the heat and how it affects our special friends. Dogs and cats don't sweat as we do - they dissipate heat only through panting.

Often it is hard for them to develop "sea legs" so keep their physical restraint and safety in mind. Harnesses, tether lines, life preservers and even pet carriers should be used.

Ready a medical kit just for them:

	1) Medications such as aceromazine for storm phobias ( a very common occurrence). Remember too, that this drug may affect your pets' ambulation.
	2) Bandage materials: sterile gauze squares, cotton padding, stretch gauze and tape. Ask your veterinarian for a short course in proper bandaging methods. You may even consider splinting materials to stabilize a leg until a port is reached.
	3) Broad spectrum antibiotics and antidiarrhea medications. I had one client trapped at sea with his Great Dane who was experiencing a severe case of diarrhea. You don't want that to happen to you!!!!
	4) Tweezers to use for splinter removal from feet and pads.
	5) Proper identification if they happen to get misplaced.

Use your veterinarian as a possible reference for veterinarians in your cruising areas and take their phone numbers. Also cruise the Internet for sources of help.