Re: 10/24 China PMPS 125
I just remembered I saved this from when Lisa used to travel with Leo all of the time. I don't know if you've seen it before.
Traveling with Diabetic Kitties
Before the first trip
Test out any new items such as kitty calming aids and harnesses before the actual trip so you know how Kitty will act, and adjust if necessary.
Harness and leash
• Let Kitty wander around the house and make size adjustments as needed. This will also allow Kitty to get used to this terrible horrid thing. Play with Kitty so fun is associated with the harness.
Pee pads
• Put one near the litter box so Kitty associates the appearance and smell with pees and poops. Scented and unscented are available. Unscented may be a better choice, especially if you use unscented litter at home.
Restraint system
• In some states, animals must be strapped into a carrier or wear a seat belt. If you plan to use a hard carrier (especially when traveling alone) strap the carrier to the seat with the belt by wrapping the belt around the front of the carrier so it acts like a “lap” band. Test this out first. If you’d like the carrier to sit flat on the seat, you may need to prop up the back end of the carrier with a towel. Turning the carrier to face you (or the driver) may help with anxiety.
Identification
• Consider highly having your cat micro-shipped before you go, especially for frequent travel or airline travel.
• Put your cell phone number on Kitty’s tag, and note Kitty is insulin dependent if this is relevant. Consider adding more than 1 bell to Kitty’s collar. Cats hiding in unfamiliar places can be hard to find, and that extra tinkling can really help.
Vet services, emergency and otherwise
• Find and print out locations to the nearest vet and 24 hour emergency animal facilities in the areas you're traveling through and to. Program the numbers into your cell phone and into your GPS. In case of emergency, especially at night, these become vital if you’re stressed and don't know the area.
Kitty stress and anxiety
• Several options are available to help Kitty’s stress level during car rides, including medications and familiar smells. Some cats travel just fine after the first hour or so. Others will wail loudly, as if tortured, the entire trip.
• Meds can reduce the anxiety of the trip. Homeopathic aids such as Rescue Remedy has been suggested by several people. It is placed on or in the cat. The human versions contain alcohol, a pet version is available without alcohol. It can be put in food, although several people report putting a dab on paws, ears, or tapped on the fur where it will be licked off. FemiAway and other hormone-based products are also available. These are applied in areas where kitty may be stressed, such as in the carrier. These are not made to be sprayed onto the cat.
• Prescription sedatives should be considered with caution. Some airlines may refuse to ship a pet who has been sedated, especially if the pet will be shipped in the cargo cabin and not under the passenger’s seat.
• Bring towels or blankets with familiar smells for Kitty, or a favorite sleeping bed.
• Bring an extra towel or carrier blanket if Kitty decides to urf his last meal in the carrier.
• Place a towel or light blanket over the carrier to block out light and sound on the sides, or all over. This may calm Kitty, especially during the start of the trip.
• Changes in environment may help. Radio on, radio off, heat higher, heat lower, talking to Kitty, ignoring kitty.
Kitty car sickness and litter box issues
• Line the area around the litter box with pee pads or newspapers, and throw away the layers that get soiled as the accidents occur.
• Place a pee pad inside the carrier.
• Anti nausea meds are available, but try before traveling. For airline trips, a sedative may be useful if kitty is a bad (or unknown) traveler.
What to pack
• Small cooler for food and insulin.
• Cat dishes, water bowl, spoon and fork.
• Water
• Food of all carb levels (high carb, medium carb, low carb). Keep close at hand.
• Karo
• Glucose meter and backup
• Strips (many, especially if you are traveling to an area that may not stock “your” brand)
• Insulin
• Lancets
• Syringes
• Tissues/wipes for ear sticks
• Ketone test strips
• Treats for testing
• Ear warming device. If you warm Kitty’s ear or paw pad, place the sock in ziplock and run it under hot water at the rest stop. If your car has heated seats, turn on the heater and sit on the sock. Natural hand warmers are an option to heat up the sock. These contain a mixture of iron powder, charcoal and other ingredients, and produce heat when exposed to air. (These are great for placing in gloves and boots for outdoor activities.)
• Notebook and pen for recording glucose test values
• Clean-up wipes and paper towels
• Petzyme or similar urine/blood/vomit removal spray
• Towels, blankets and beds with familiar smells
• Meds (appetite stimulants, anti-nausea, calming, etc.
• Toys
• Garbage bags
• Litter box and scoop (or disposable box)
• Ziploc bags (open food cans, dirty utensils, temporary Sharps container, etc.) You can never have too many Ziplocs!
• Cat carrier
• Collar, harness and leash
• Litter box and litter for destination
• Most importantly, Kitty!
How to Pack
• Create a box or small milk crate that contains everything you might need in emergency and sort-of emergency situations. It should contain samples of all carb foods and Karo, spoon and fork, wipes, treats, garbage bags and paper towels. It should also contain your testing equipment and somewhere to toss the used strips and lancets.
During the trip
Harness and leash
• Kitty should be on a harness the entire trip, and perhaps on the leash whenever out of the carrier. Especially if you don’t know how well he will travel.
Rest stops
• Include frequent rest breaks and allow kitty to wander around in the car, use the litter box, and eat/drink. KEEP ALL WINDOWS COMPLETELY SHUT. Cats can pass through imaginably tight places. Especially freaked-out ones.
• Offer food, water and little box, although Kitty may not be interested. Praise for good litter box behavior but don’t punish for peeing outside the lines. It can be stressful enough for a poor kitty!
• Don’t leave kitty unattended to make your own litter box stop! Not only is it illegal in many places, it’s potentially deadly, even for just a few minutes. Plan your fluid intakes accordingly if you are traveling alone. Or, handicapped stalls are great for accommodating kitty carriers.
Environment
• Some Kitties love lounging the the sun, others prefer cooler “cave-like” conditions. Bring a towel or blanket large enough to cover the entire carrier to control the shade and temperature of the carrier. Even sun worshipper Kitties may get overheated trapped in a sunny car seat.
