Traveling with a senior dog

 If it makes you feel any better, I have lots of friends with old dogs who go traveling, and I used to take Dancer on long trips when she was well into her teens.  The issue isn't whether she's old, it's whether she would be more comfy in her own environment, or with you no matter what the environment is.  Is she used to having lots of people about, or does she prefer a really quiet scene?  If she does have Cushings or any other illness, you would just need to plan ahead for meds, and know where the e-vets are along your route and at your destination.  Take a copy of her records with you, and her own water, food, bedding.  I do know how you feel, though.  When Dancer was at the end of her life, I would not have left her for any reason, but that's harder to do if you don't have a supportive SO, which I am lucky enough to have.

*Every* time we travel we have a senior dog because well ... we ALWAYS have senior dogs! *grin*

I can tell you anything you want to know.  Meds?  You portion them out and have them all ready to give her.  Same way with food.  Those little 7 day pill compartments you see at Wal-Mart?  Shoot I've got TONS of them because someone takes meds in the morning, with dinner, at bedtime and sometimes in between. 

Foxy was still going at 18 1/2.  Kee went with us last week to Lauderdale -- she's probably 15 or more and she takes a TON of meds.  But then so does Billy -- no biggie -- you just organize it.

 Get them comfy in the car -- they're with you ... no big deal.  Is she used to pottying on leash?  does she have a bed?  You're good to go.  You just take it all with you!! 

Yes, I'm serious -- and I'd be glad to tell you 'how'.  She'll have a great time!! 

Remember, Kee's only been with me 2 years -- it's not like she was reared doing this.  You just look around at what you need to care for her now ... and pack it!  Do some thinking ahead of time so you KNOW where stuff is -- maybe you need to pack some small packages of stuff in your purse so you have it as you go. 

In a motel room you mimic the home as much as possible.  Where does she like to lie?  "under" something?  "behind" something?  So you throw a blanket over the closet rod and make her a hidey hole.  Or put a blanket over the edge of the 'desk' -- whatever works.  We have both regular and fabric crates we take and I take their bedding.  Yep -- it's a ton of 'stuff' ... but it works easy. 

I take plastic foam disposable dishes as much as possible (makes cleanup easier and they aren't so noisy) -- but you call ahead and find out if the motels have fridges ... or do you need to think about getting ice?

I always give meds with something like babyfood or braunschweiger or yogurt -- so I bring it.  I allow myself an extra 20 minutes or whatever to make sure I can do meds in the morning (and still be on time to keep hubby happy)

Barking?  I've even got ways I cope with that.  Once you get used to what you gotta do it's no biggie -- and it's SO nice to have them with you rather than worrying about them at home.

Please feel free to email me and I'm happy to help you -- I'd even talk on the phone if that's easier.  But truly -- this is not hard. 

I've gone No Where with out Jasmine since she turned 10.  Weather in the RV or Car we are together. The clock is ticking and I know it.  She has a major surgery scheduled for this friday and the following week we have a big dog show. That does not mean she stays home, it simply means we take things easier. I have a custom sling to assist her in and out when she gets tired and we stop more frequently to allow her to potty rather than hold it. She does not ride in a crate, the rest of the pack does ...instead I keep her very close to me. We are apart only long enough to show in the ring and then straight back to her. We sit outside the RV together and entertain friends, train younger dogs or just sit and enjoy each other's company. Btw I will be only steps away when she has her surgery, if she "fails" on the table I will be there to help her know it is okay that I understand and love her.

The family has long known, when Jazz goes they had better have the therapist and doctors on speed dial as all bets are off.. She has been my best friend,  ultimate challenge and best "child"  I will have to go on with out her in the future , but not until the day I am forced to. Surprizingly my family not only understands but agrees .

With a decent med kit, medical supervision, her records and an always cahrged cell phone she has many, many more miles left in her at your side. I know mine does.

Bonita of Bwana

I still travel with Dakota (she'll be 15 in may). Just this last year I decided to cut out her back packing and only let her do car camping trips. She's a good traveler though - been doing it her entire life so it really doesn't phase her much. You just have to make more frequent stops, give the dog enough room to be comfortable and bring along a really good sleeping mat. 

threedogjeep

So the net vet wants her records from the other place, says her heart is strong and not overtaxed, blood pressure is great, and suspects that she might have cushings.

I can't say much about traveling with a senior dog, but before you accept a diagnosis of Cushing's and treat for it, consider the Endocrine-Immune blood test.  That test is described in

We took Penny for a 3 day drive up to Queensland over Christmas around her 12th birthday.  She stayed up there for another 4 days, then went home with my mother and her 2 dogs. She's a fantastic traveller. We just gave her a nice soft bed in the back, put her seatbelt on, and she went to sleep. Whenever we take her somewhere I often end up worrying about her because she gets so excited spending a few days with us that she gets really energised and forgets she's old and arthritic. When we went camping last year the poor thing staggered off to bed early and didn't move a muscle until next morning. Over Christmas I repeatedly had to carry her off to bed because she'd crashed somewhere in the house early and didn't want to get up when we were heading off to bed ourselves. But then, my partner says to me "if she died of a heart attack now, though, you'd know she died as happy as she can be", and he's absolutely right. She doesn't get much more happy than when she's on holidays with us, even though she overdoes it sometimes. I make her comfortable, set a slow pace for her, make sure she has somewhere comfy to crash, and just let her do her thing.