I will be traveling at the end of this week with my 3 yr old Pomapoo and would like some feedback regarding the use of tranquilizers. It is about an hour flight, and he will be flying in a soft carrier in the cabin with me, under the seat in front of me. He is an anxious little dog and is very excited around a lot of people. This is the first time I am flying with him and I would like some opinions into the safety/usefulness of tranquilizers. I have read a lot about how dangerous they are, but most of that seems to pertain to dogs traveling as cargo, not in the cabin. Is there any difference? I don’t want him barking and whining, and I want him to be comfortable- but at the same time, I’d much rather him go through an hour of being anxious than have him get sick or, god forbid, die. Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.

NO don't do it. My friend loaded planes and he said a dog died because the airlines give pets tranquilizers and the family had given the dog tranquilizers too so it died because it had too much tranquilizers... So check with the airline before you do that to make sure if they do it.

I was told its not a good idea.

I know DL allows it for carry on pets. Not for cargo pets. However they caution you to speak to your vet about your dog. Call the airline you are traveling with as well as your vet to be on the safe side. You may also want to make sure you do not need a veterinary certificate. Certain states require them. You may be asked for proof when you land even if the state you are departing from doesn't require one.

Nothing is completely safe. Yes there isolated incidents of any medication killing. Talk to your vet. If you can't trust your vet in this case, perhaps you should use a different one.

I do hope you have been getting the dog used to its carrier. If it isn't used to it, it could add to its fears.

Margog, if he/she were mine. I would take the next few day and put him in the carrier and place it in the floorboard of the car and drive him around a little bit... just give him the feel of being on the floor of something that is moving... it may not be as tramatic if he has been in a similar situation before.

I have been putting him in his carrier in the house to get him used to it. He hated it at first, but over the past week, he's gotten comfortable laying in it and usually just falls asleep in it. I tried bringing him in it in the car last night, though, and he started whining. I'm going to try to drive around with him a little each night to get him used to being in the carrier in places outside of the house.

I was thinking about getting a few extra tranquilizers and giving him one at home the day before leaving to see how he reacts to it... good idea or bad idea? My initial thought was that I would be able to see how he reacts to it before being in the air- but then, at the same time, since he is so small, I don't want to be giving him a tranquilizer Weds night, Thurs night, and again when we fly back on Saturday night... it seems like a lot for such a tiny dog, and I'm wondering if it might build up in his system and make him sick?

Idk, I think I might just go without- it's not really worth the risk, it seems and... what's the worst that can happen without it? A bunch of people I don't know will just be annoyed with me for having a dog whining on the plane for an hour. I think that, for such a short flight, it's not worth risking his life.

Any suggestions on how to help keep him calm and quiet without tranquilizers? Maybe a natural alternative that's safer? I already plan on bringing a chew toy for him, but I don't know if he'd even be interested in it when he's in a new place with so many distractions and things going on...

Thanks for all of your input- I appreciate it!

Perhaps the best thing to do for HIM is to go to YOUR doctor and get some for yourself. If you go on that plane all tense and worried about him, he won't know why you are tense, but he will sense you are, and in turn become fearful himself.

If he is highly food motivated, a small Kong with some peanut butter in it might help.

Arrive at the airport early. Park at the far end of the lot and walk to the terminal. Kill any remaining time walking around in front of it. The exercise is also a good way to insure an empty bowel and bladder. While standing in line, if he is allowed out of the carrier, drill him on obedience. By the time you get on theplane, you both can sleep the whole way.

Margo, before taking suggestions of alternative or homeopathic treatments, or just trying something on your own, you should heed the advice that people have given to you. Call the airline and make sure you are fully versed on what their expectations & procedures are. Give your vet a call and talk to him/her about it. They rarely charge for phone calls. The discussion should give you a plan of action and alleviate your fears. Labman is right. If you are nervous or stressed, it will cause your "little boy" to be stressed. I don't know about you, but when I fly, I am already on edge. The added stress of having to listen to a baby cry or a dog whine for an hour is not my idea of a relaxing flight. Why put yourself in a situation where people might become nasty with you? (Not me, I promise! Although I might give you a dirty look or grumble to my seatmate about you. LOL!) Talk to your vet. It really will give you a much greater level of comfort. :)