First Time Traveler
 

Happy Holidays, All!!

I am going to celebrate New Years with my family in the Bahamas and I am taking my #1 road-puppy, Yumi, with me. Who knew it would be so expensive. I first have to pay the airline $80 each way, and also get a Veterinarian Health Certificate. The vet is telling me that the visit is $50 and the certificate is another $52 since it's international travel.

I am wondering if this is my best option, considering Yunmi just saw the vet a few months ago. Nothing has changed, so I don't understand why a whole new appt and check has to be done.

Does anyone have experience traveling?

I also want to know what to get for her to ease her trip and make her as comfortable as possible. Luckily we have direct flights lasting no more than 2.5hours. Your advise is welcomed...as always:)

I am in Colorado right now, and traveled here from California with Wobie for Christmas. It was really stressful, and I'm not sure if I'd do it again, because I was so worried about him. I might just stay home next time.

I suggest asking your vet about tranquilizers for your baby. My vet gave me tiny doses of medication to calm him down and make him a little sleepy. I cut the dose he gave me in half, just to be sure it wouldn't be too strong for him. It is a lot easier if your baby is very comfortable in his carrier. Wobie is fine in his carrier, but he still got a little frightened at the noises. The vibrations on the floor, where the carrier is supposed to stay, are much more intense then what we feel in our seats. For most of the flight, I was bent over in my seat reaching under the seat in front of me, with my hand in his carrier, trying to make sure he was calm. He was okay, but I was a wreck.

I have to do it all over again tonight, to go back home, so maybe I'll have more advice tomorrow.

You are taking her in the cabin with you, rather than in cargo, right?

Yes, she is definitely going in the cabin with me. I think putting animals in cargo is HORRIBLE! She is too tiny to even think it anyway. I will ask my vet on saturday about calming medicine. She is comfortable in her carrier as long as I am close by. I wish I could keep her in my lap. I mean let's be honest our dogs are cleaner then some people who will be on the flight in the seat next to us...haha:D

Thanks for the advise. Good luck on your trip home.

I've never traveled to the Bahamas with pets, but be sure to check out the regulations. I found the below Web site and excerpt in a quick Google search. My vet prescribed acepromazine for sedation. On my most recent trip, I tried going without, and they actually did better. I wouldn't sedate her unless you think she's going to be destructive or loud. And for such a short flight, it's hardly worth it. But definitely ask your vet.

http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/tr...html#carribean

To bring a dog into the Bahamas requires an import permit obtainable from the Department of Agriculture, phone (242) 325-7502. To obtain a permit, send your name, address, phone number, age of dog, sex of dog, breed of dog and $10 U.S. dollars. For an extra $5 they will fax the import permit to you. Mail the information and money to The Department of Agriculture, PO Box N3028, Nassau, Bahamas. It can take up to 2 months for the permit, so plan ahead! Additionally, if you are coming from the US or Canada, you will need a veterinary health certificate issued 48 hours before embarking and a valid certificate of rabies vaccination for either the one year rabies vaccine (given to the animal at least one month before arrival, and not more than 10 months before arrival), or the three year rabies vaccine (given to the animal at least one month before arrival, and not more than 34 months before arrival).
Source: Department of Agriculture, Nassau, Bahama, Phone 242-325-7502.

Here's another site I found with a blogger's firsthand experience, but it was dated 2002:
http://www.sailcharbonneau.com/Livin...ahamasPets.htm

I just flew from Iowa to Florida & had to get the health certificate, not because the airline might require it, but the state. Everyone I have talked to has said they have never been asked for it - but who wants to be caught without it! I had to pay for the vet visit & $10 for the health certificate for each dog. No one asked on the flight down, including we missed our connection in Memphis & had to fly out the next day instead, which of course involved going thru security again! (But the yorkies were dressed as Santa & Mrs. Claus so everyone was wooing & awing over them)

You don't want to get caught without a health certificate they could quarantine your baby - you don't want that to happen. The reason you have to go see the vet again is that the health certificate is good for only a set number of days. And your vet has to truly know your Yumi is healthy, as he is putting his signature on the certificate. (Believe me I didn't want to do it either!)

We had no problems with the yorkies on the plane - including the 5 1/2 hr delay getting out & spending the night in a Memphis Marriott & arriving 13 hrs late. Bubba barked a bit on take off & landing especially on the connecting flight - but he has problems with his ears some times and I think the pressurization of the cabin bothered him.

Best of luck with your trip.

We flew with our dog to AZ. The health certificate is only good for 10 days, so even though our dog was healthy and had recently been to the vet, it had been longer than 10 days. Not only that, but if we would have stayed in AZ for more than 10 days, she would have needed a new certificate to fly home!!

I have never traveled with Roxy. My sister's Christmas present to Roxy was a Delta carrier from sherpa for her. It acts as a carry on bag and also straps to your car seat belt for safety. Only thing I can think of is make sure the carry on bag is approved. I know the bag she got me said it was approved from many airlines and they give you a list of them. Please let us know how it all works out.

Thanks AlaskaYorkie...your information was great. I just contacted my cousin in Nassau to see what the situation is on there side because the airline never mentioned an import permit. I am wondering if it's still relevant since I am staying less than 10 days. Keep your fingers crossed...I am hoping I can still take my baby with me.

The carrier I have is pretty standard and can fit under the seat in front of me. Unfortunately, Yumi hates the carrier bags and she fights to get out..although they may be more comfortable in the long run.

:( Unfortunately, due to the weekend starting tomorrow, the DOA will nto be able to expediate me getting a import permit. Poor planning on my part I guess. So my Yumi-baby will have to stay here at home. Hopefully, her human Pop-Pop will watch her for me. Next time I know what to do.

Thanks to everyone for all the info.

Sorry. I feel like I spoiled the party! That will just give you something to look forward to next time.

Wow... not fun... Sounds like you needed to take the tranquilizer, not Wobie !! ;)