Scooter has flown a bunch. The first flight ever, I gave him nothing and it was miserable. Luckly, it was an hour flight and I brought Childrens Benadryl with me (my vet suggested taking it should I need it because of the multiple flights involved). When we landed at the airport for a layover, I rushed into the family bathroom, so I could take him out and calm him down. I took out the benadryl and per the vets directions, gave the correct dose. We had about an hour layover and by the time we boarded our next flight, he was ok. About 10 minutes after take off, he was clearly uncomfortable. He tried to get out of his carrier and I spent the entire flight bending over trying to keep him calm. The flight crew would not let me keep the carrier on my lap. Once we got to our destination, I knew we would face the same thing going home so I called my vet. I was given a new dose to try so we could get home. Return flights, not as bad as the first but not pleasant either. He again tried to chew a hole in his carrier and actually ripped a small hole in the mesh.
Before our next trip, I circled back with the vet. He was not comfortable giving Scooter more benadryl and suggested Ace. I did not want to sedat him but my vet said the dose would be very mild and just keep Scooter calm. Big dogs take several Ace pills....Scooter takes 1/4th of a pill of the smallest available dose. Life has completely changed. Scooter knows that those pills mean we are going to the airport and he is going with me on a trip. I normally give it to him before we leave for the airport. By the time we get there (25-30 minutes away) and park, he is calm as can be. Don't get me wrong, he is normally calm but this is "I am cool, just hanging out" calm. I carry him until we are finished with security so he is not in the carrier yet.
By the time we go through security, he is ready to get in his carrier. He walks right in and lays down. He is sleepy by this point and settles in for a good nap. He is awake when we are moving but once I set the carrier down, he is off in lala land. Take-offs and landings no longer bother him...he frankly could care less. I am not allowed to leave his sight though. I can't get up and go to the bathroom or even put the tray table down without him letting me know he doesn't like it.
I understand the concern about using Ace but with the correct dose, it is a lifesaver. While Scooter wants to nap, if he is alert enough to notice that my tray table comes down, that is not sedation in my mind. I use Ace now for every trip. Scooter weighed probably 4 lbs when we first used it and now weighs 8 lbs. The dose has not changed and I do not intend to increase it. Ace costs me about $3 per pill at my vet which they then split into 4ths for me. It is more costly than bottle of benadryl but it works way better for us.
My advice to anyone thinking about the best way to fly with your pets is talk to your vet. Our vet knew everything about it and answered all of my questions. I feel very confident in my decision to use it, especially with my vets blessing. |