Family vacations can become a whole new experience if the family dog is included in the excursion. However, for destinations requiring airline travel, it is essential to know some of the basic tips for working with the airlines in order to ensure a safe and rewarding travel experience for your family pet. As each airline varies in their specific requirements and regulations, please be sure to inquire with your specific airline of choice about their regulations well before arriving at the airport.
Proper planning can make your travel experience with the family dog an even more rewarding one. Call ahead and make sure that your arranged lodging allows pets and what their policies are for maid service and if you may leave your pet in its carrier if you should need to step out. Check to make sure that your pet's identification tags are up to date and include not only your name, address and telephone number, but also the address and contact information for your destination. It is also a good idea to call ahead and locate the information for local animal control offices in case your pet gets lost during your vacation.
In order to ensure that your pet has a safe and comfortable travel experience, it is essential to select an appropriate travel carrier. Your pet should also be introduced and comfortable with the carrier well before the day of the trip. The exact carrier you select will vary based on the airline, your pet and your personal style preference.

Basic Tips for Airline Travel with Your Dog

• Schedule an appointment with your regular veterinarian well in advance of your travel date. This appointment will allow your vet to clear your dog for travel and gather any of the necessary paperwork required by the airlines or your travel destination. Most emergency animal hospitals will refer you to a daytime veterinarian for pet wellness check. 
• Determine ahead of time if your pet will be traveling in the passenger section of the aircraft with you or in the baggage compartment. Some airlines will allow one pet per passenger to travel in an approved carrier in coach or first class.
• Schedule a direct flight, if possible, and avoid layovers and connections. This pre-planning will minimize the possibility of delays and chance that your pet will be exposed to inclimate weather.
• Schedule your flight for slower travel times and days so that airline personnel will have time to give extra attention to your pet.
• If your pet will be traveling as cargo, avoid traveling during times of the year when the temperature outside will be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Inquire if the airlines will be hand carrying your pet to the cargo hold or if he will be placed on a conveyer belt. If possible, use airlines that hand carry your pet or have other safety and care practices in place.
• Check the airlines baggage liability limitation policy. This policy may apply to your pet and it may be beneficial to purchase additional insurance.
• Make sure that identification labels are prominently and visibly displayed on your pet's carrier. These labels should include not only your name and contact information, but also your flight number, destination and destination contact information.
• Feed your dog at least six hours before the flight and do not offer food again until you have arrived at your destination.
• However, water should be offered frequently before and after the flight and should be available in the crate during the flight as well.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

 

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is the term that replaces FUS, or feline urological syndrome. It describes many urinary tract related symptoms including straining to urinate, blood in the urine, inappropriate urination (out of the litter box), and inability to urinate (blockage). The term does not indicate the causes of the symptoms, which can be numerous. Typically, bladder infection is not the primary reason for FLUTD, but it can occur secondarily. In fact, frequently the underlying cause is speculative or unconfirmed.

More than half of cats with FLUTD under the age of 10 years will have an undetermined cause of their symptoms. Twenty percent may develop bladder stones or urethral blockage. Male cats have a tapering urethra, the tube that carries urine outside of the body. Because it narrows toward the opening, cells and mucous may dam up and form a blockage. This is called a urethral plug, and it is a life threatening emergency. The cat will usually howl or growl in pain while it strains to urinate, but it will be unable to do so or pass tiny drops of blood-tinged urine. Females rarely develop a blockage, but it does occur.

For cats over 10 years old with FLUTD, more than half will have a concurrent bladder infection and some degree of kidney dysfunction. Therefore, while extensive testing for a cause of symptoms may not yield results in younger cats, older cats with FLUTD should be screened for kidney failure.
Idiopathic cystitis describes a chronically inflamed bladder with an unknown cause. Cats may strain, urinate outside of the litter pan, and pass blood. No infection is associated with this condition.
When a cat presents with any of the symptoms listed above, a urinalysis is performed to categorize the type of urinary tract disease. Cells found in the urine sediment can allude to a bacterial infection as a primary or secondary factor. Antibiotics are prescribed any time a large number of white blood cells, the cells that fight infection, are observed. Sometimes, bacteria are obvious under the microscope. In this case, a culture and susceptibility should be run to determine the type of bacteria present and whether it has any antibiotic resistance. Most cats with FLUTD will have a large number of red blood cells present on urinalysis. Blood may be obvious to the owner, or it may be occult, revealed only on microscopic examination. X-rays and/or ultrasound of the urinary tract may be performed on all symptomatic cats to rule out bladder stones. Bladder stones are less common in cats than in dogs, but if they are present, symptoms will not resolve until they are removed surgically or dissolved with special diets. A chemistry panel, blood count, and electrolytes may be checked to discover other illnesses that may contribute to FLUTD.  If your cat is having difficulty urinating or straining to urinate, please take your pet to Emergency Animal Clinic.