Photo

Click on photo to enlarge

Metro Graphics

When travelling with a pet sure to bring their food and water dishes, bedding, litter and litter box, leash, collar and tags and favorite toys.

Photo

Click on photo to enlarge

Metro Graphics

Although dogs who enjoy car travel do not have to be confined in a carrier, it is always a good idea to keep them in a restraining harness to protect them from injury in an accident and prevent them from interfering with the driver. Cats should be kept in a carrier.

CLEMSON — Pet carriers are de facto, but microchip implants can prove golden when traveling with dogs or cats. Relax: the device is injected into Mittens, not you.

About the size of a grain of rice, the microchips serve as a permanent form of identification should your pet become lost — at the beach, home or wherever.

When chip IDs are read with a handheld scanner, data is automatically retrieved from several national databases, including the American Kennel Club.

Veterinarian Dr. Derek Lindsey performs microchip procedures at the Clemson Animal Hospital, located at 101 Liberty Dr.

“The injections are usually done with the animal still awake; they’re not painful,” Lindsey said. “I would highly recommend microchip identification. By state law any animal brought into an animal shelter or pound is supposed to be scanned for microchips to help find their owner.”

The concept sounds Orwellian, but this is not “1984.” According to Lindsey, the technology for internal pet GPS, “isn’t there yet,” although there are some collar-mounted systems for short range.

“The microchips are inert. There’s no power source — the power comes from the scanner,” Lindsey said.

Taking a pet on the road requires more than James Bond gadgetry; old-fashioned foresight is also in order. If the animal is not accustomed to car trips, try a few test runs to help acclimate the pet. Start with short drives to nearby destinations. Stay in tune with your pet’s comfort (or lack thereof), and it doesn’t hurt to bring along that favorite chew toy or treat. Even just spending time with the pet in a parked vehicle beforehand can soften the stress of a full-on trip.

A checkup at the vet before departing on major trek is also recommended. Confirm all vaccinations are current and any regularly taken medications are well stocked.

Check with your destination’s local health department regarding specific requirements and ask your vet about necessary documentation, such as a health certificate. While planning your getaway, Lindsey recommends checking online resources, like petswelcome.com, for pet-friendly lodging.

“There are some hotels that accepts pets, some that don’t, some that require an extra fee. You’re going to want to verify that all ahead of time,” Lindsey said.

Of course, any travel strategy should be tweaked for individual pets.

“It all really depends on their personality,” Lindsey said. “How well does the pet do in the car? Quite a few dogs get carsick. We see a lot of stress with cats with traveling.”

Modern chemistry offers a fix for motion sickness. Made by Phizer, Cerenia is a tablet providing 24-hour relief, Lindsey said, adding, “It’s an excellent drug.”

For ultra-hyper pets, pre-trip sedation may be in order; consult your vet.

In general, Lindsey recommends not feeding your pet the morning before your trip — this can help reduce upset stomach disasters. However, do pack whatever food your pet is used to, in case that brand or variety is unavailable at your destination. Bring portable food and water bowls, bedding and litter boxes too, this will keep you from having you to go “MacGyver” on an empty Pop-Tarts box, soft drink cup or Coors Light suitcase.

Just as you buckle up for safety, pets should likewise be restrained. Keep cats and small dogs go in carriers; larger dogs can be held in a restraining harness. In addition to preventing furry freakouts and distractions, proper restraint will help stabilize your pet if there is sudden vehicle movement or a wreck.

Of course, there need to be bathroom breaks. Every two hours should be sufficient, but make sure dogs, and especially cats, have leashes on before making a stop.

“If cats get way you’re never going to never get them back,” Lindsey said.

Even if you’ve elected to go with a microchip implant, old-school collar tags are still critical, and can speed the return of your dog or cat if they flee. Along those lines, pack a recent photo of your pet. This will prove invaluable if Fido goes AWOL and you need a snapshot for shelter workers or lost-pet posters.

Something tail-wagging aesthetics conflict with real-world safety. A dog sticking its head out a car window, tongue flapping in the wind, is classic Americana — or at least a Bob Seger-blaring Chevy commercial. But it’s also dangerous. At highway speeds, small stones and debris can become projectiles, turning Norman Rockwell confection into Robert Williams gore.