Dogs are among our favorite travel companions. And while we hope that everyone on a trip will stay healthy, humans and dogs alike, there may be instances in which you need to find veterinary care while traveling with dogs. This blog post will discuss when to take your dog to the vet, finding a vet for your dog when traveling, and information to take while traveling with dogs.
When to Take Your Dog to the Vet
Many pet parents struggle with the question of when to take their dogs to the vet when they are sick or injured. Do you take them immediately? Do you wait a day to see if they get better over time? It can be a tricky subject at home, and it is only made more stressful when traveling with dogs.
- No appetite for more than two days
- Excessive thirst not related to exercise or climate changes
- Red or cloudy eyes
- Severe or prolonged vomiting
- Diarrhea for more than 24 hours
- Black/tar-colored stools
- The lethargy that’s not related to exercise or weather changes
- Sudden weight loss
- Prolonged rear-end scooting.
Of course, many emergencies are more evident, like seizures, open wounds, broken bones, uncontrolled bleeding, signs of bloat, and many more. You can read more on the American Kennel Club’s article, When Should I Call the Vet.
Finding a Vet for Your Dog When Traveling
Finding a veterinarian for your dog is much easier today because of available technology like mobile phones and WIFI in many public places. Of course, accessing a vet with your smartphone is the most obvious option when looking for an emergency vet. VetChat by Waggle provides just that. VetChat is a veterinary telehealth service where you can connect and chat with a live veterinarian anytime and get answers on every pet-related problem.
If you are traveling to a remote area where you think you may not have good internet service, you can prepare in advance by researching some veterinary care providers along your route. Write their contact information on a piece of paper and keep it with your other veterinary records. If you are on a long road trip, you can research to locate veterinarians along your route so that you are prepared just in case something happens.
Information to Take While Traveling with Dogs
If your dog has previous health conditions, it is better to keep their medical records handy, like your dog’s vaccination records, license information if applicable, and any other veterinary records. That way, you can save more time explaining the situation to the live vet during an emergency.
If your dog takes prescription medicines or over-the-counter supplements, include the name and dosage that he/she takes. If your pet has chronic health problems, keep a record of that. It might help bring a new vet up to speed on your dog’s overall health.
Carry these in a plastic folder or a zip-top bag to protect them from water damage. By taking a paper copy with you, you will still have access to the information when a medical emergency happens somewhere you do not have a good quality internet connection. If you are someone who frequently goes boondocking or hiking in rural areas, you should definitely have paper copies of your vet records in your RV unit or vehicle.
Waggle VetChat Can Help with Pet Emergencies
Because our dogs cannot tell us exactly what is bothering them or how they are feeling, most dog owners tend to err on the side of caution. While they might not go to the doctor for 24 hours of stomach distress for themselves, they will certainly take their dogs to the veterinarian, as they do not know what the dog might have eaten or encountered.
Waggle VetChat is both a source of everyday health information for your pet as well as being someone who you can ask to determine if you should take your pet to the vet.
With hundreds of experienced veterinary professionals available 24/7, you can get all the help you want with unlimited sessions at a budget-friendly cost. VetChat is the best place for pet owners to get answers for all their douts on pet health, pet care, pet training, counseling sessions for new pet parents, and many more.
You can access to VetChat by downloading the Waggle Pet App available on both App Store and Play Store.
