A Few More Qs about International Flights

[Nikitta34]

Before I begin, let me say that I have read through all nine pages of travel threads in his forum, and I have gained a ton of great information. (In other words, I'm not asking for information that's already been posted.) However, after reading through everything, I still have a few questions. Hopefully someone will be able to help me out.

Basic Info:
Flight from Korea to Boston (3 flights: ~12 hr, 5 hr, 2 hr)
Meg: less than 2 lbs at 15 weeks old, and will probably top out at 2.5 lbs.
Meg will only eat wet food.

Everyone says to not give much water or food before the flight, but I am concerned about Meg becoming hypoglycemic. She had a hypo episode shortly after we got her and due to her size, it could happen again. I am not sure how long she could go without food. Don't get me wrong, I will offer food on the plane, but what if she refuses to eat?

I'm sure someone will say to give her Nutri-Cal, but I can't get it in Korea (urgh!). I can give her Clini-Care which is a liquid equivalent. I'll probably make her some Clini-Care popsicles or something, but that will be very messy.

Someone suggested in an earlier thread to have some honey or syrup packets (from McD's) on hand in case of a hypo episode, and I will definitely do that. But.... the goal is to never get to that point. What I'm really asking here is does anyone know how long a 2-lb puppy can go without eating? I have never had to syringe-feed her, but should I bring some syringes along just in case?

And if all she will eat is the honey or a sugary equivalent, how long can she last on that? Obviously her blood sugar will spike, then crash if I'm just feeding her sugar. I don't want to end up in an emergency hypo situation on the plane.

My last question is regarding carriers. I keep hearing about the Sherpa being a great carrier, and maybe I will just go with that. But I really love the Pet Flys Humble Paw carrier. So --- veteran travelers, help me out. What's better, a soft-side or hard carrier? The Pets Fly (size small) should fit under the seat on its side, and Met will will be able to stand and move around. I feel like Meg will feel more secure in a hard-sided carrier, and I also feel like it will be easier to lift the carrier up into my lap so Meg can be near me during the flight. But... I'll willingly take any advice you have for me!

Does anyone have the Pet Flys carrier (size small)? Is it smooshable at all? I've checked and it should fit under the seat, but I'd like a little smoosh factor just in case. It's a pleather bag, so I'm guessing it will smoosh a little.

To those of you who read all the way to the bottom of this post, THANK YOU!

[daragates]

There is an online store that carries both <a href="http://www.precious-pets-paradise.com">Sherpa Carriers</a> and <a href="http://www.precious-pets-paradise.com">Pet Flys</a> called Dog Beds, Kuranda snoozer bowsers bolster chew proof dog beds &ndash; precious-pets-paradise.com. From all of my research and speaking with this company I decided on the sherpa carriers. They have been around a lot longer and everything I was reading on airline approved carriers reverted back to Sherpa. Good Luck.

[LDandPasquale]

I'm not sure about this..but dont dogs that travel internationally have to be quarantined first? Did you already do that??

Anyways, when i travel with Pasquale. I always feed him during the flight. AND give him water. I put a belly band on him with a maxi pad inside JUST in case he goes in his carrier. Our flights arent as long as the one you'll be taking...but....bring some pee pads with you and take your little one into the bathroom to try to go every few hours. The honey packets are a GREAT idea.definitely have them with you..just make sure nothing liquid is over 3 oz. ..otherwise the TSA will throw it out. Alot of airlines require a health certificate. Some dont..check the airline webpage. If the airlines gives you a hard time about feeding your dog in the flight..i always tell them "well i can either feed my dog....OR you can have a dead dog on your flight...which do you want?" They usually give me a weird look and walk away. Ha!

[Nikitta34]

Dogs don't need to be quarantined upon arrival in the US unless they are arriving in Hawaii. If the dog is too young for a rabies shot, they are also "quarantined" - but you just promise to not take the dog outside. Anyway, neither situation applies to me.

I will bring along the pee pads and use them in the family restroom every 2-3 hrs. I also know to get a health certificate within 10 days of flying. The airline may never ask for it, but I want to have something to give the airport vet/customs in Boston if they ask. I also need to get a special Korean certificate before I am able to leave Korea. Like I said in my original post, I have done a lot of research. I just wish I knew how long Meg could "last" for if she refuses to eat. I hope it won't come down to that, but I want to be prepared for any situation, especially since we will be in the air for so long.

[marcerella02]

If it were me- i'd be feeding her normally- she is just too small to mess around with that- you don't need an emergency situation thousands of feet in the air. I would bring her favorite treats so that she will at least have those if she won't eat her food- don't mess around with it- just feed her normal- take her to the bathroom to potty and bring a plastic bag to use for the garbage.

[Nikitta34]

Right, I don't want to mess around with her food. I'm hoping she doesn't have any pees or poops in her bag. We're still working on the crate training. We originally had her in the smallest size crate and we didn't have any accidents, but my dh was convinced that she was cramped, so we went up a size and now are having accidents. urgh. Well, all will work itself out. I hope she doesn't poop while in her bag under the seat, but I suppose babies poop and it smells until they are changed. This is the same thing!

Any advice about the bag? Anyone traveled with a Pet Flys bag?

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by Nikitta34

Right, I don't want to mess around with her food. I'm hoping she doesn't have any pees or poops in her bag. We're still working on the crate training. We originally had her in the smallest size crate and we didn't have any accidents, but my dh was convinced that she was cramped, so we went up a size and now are having accidents. urgh. Well, all will work itself out. I hope she doesn't poop while in her bag under the seat, but I suppose babies poop and it smells until they are changed. This is the same thing!

Any advice about the bag? Anyone traveled with a Pet Flys bag?

sorry no help on the bag but put a pee pad on the bottom of the bag so if she DOES pee or poop in it you can just pull it out and put another one in

And with her big crate- just put towels or a pillow in the back of it to restrict her room- she will continue to pee/poop as long as her sleeping area is big- so sweet of your dh- but she's fine and she has to learn to hold it

[Nikitta34]

You know, I tried the towel bunched in teh back thing, but she still peed! I haven't tried it since. I've been limiting her water before bed and then not giving her water in her crate until 2 or 3am when I wake up to let her out. I should try the towel again though...

[Nikitta34]

And I'll definitely line the carrier with a pee pad.

[daragates]

I would stick with the Sherpa carriers. They are airline approved on the smaller sizes. I found mine at Dog Beds, Kuranda snoozer bowsers bolster chew proof dog beds &ndash; precious-pets-paradise.com. I haven't seen the Pet Flys, but I know they are well made also.

[Nikitta34]

Sherpa again! I feel all the signs are pointing me that way.

[RONLYNN]

I have the mini pet flys and I would highly recommend it. It is like a little house. I think they feel more secure in it. My Teddi was born in Korea and I know she flew over when she was about 10 weeks old. I just don't know how long she was without food. I would not feed your dog and just bring along some neutracal and give that halfway through your flight.

[Nikitta34]

Originally Posted by RONLYNN

I have the mini pet flys and I would highly recommend it. It is like a little house. I think they feel more secure in it. My Teddi was born in Korea and I know she flew over when she was about 10 weeks old. I just don't know how long she was without food. I would not feed your dog and just bring along some neutracal and give that halfway through your flight.

I'm so happy to hear from a Pet Flys user! Do you think the mini would be right even for long trips? I thought Meg would appreciate having some room to move around, but maybe the mini is better. How big is your dog?

Can you *please* tell me if there is any "smoosh" factor with the Pet Flys carrier? Ie: if the size small measures 9" instead of the 8" clearance, will it smoosh to fit?

Also, how heavy is the Pet Flys bag? Light as a feather (or any purse) or more like luggage?

THANK YOU!

[Yorkiedaze]

Maybe you can mail yourself a some Nutri-Cal, like tomorrow. That way you will have it.
Try her now on baby food meats. If she likes those then just take some. Also take a qt. size freezer zip-loc and after the meat has been opened, just get some ice from the attendant, put it in the bag with the jar of meat.
What ever carrier you decide on, make sure it's airline approved. Good luck on your trip.

[Nikitta34]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

Maybe you can mail yourself a some Nutri-Cal, like tomorrow. That way you will have it.
Try her now on baby food meats. If she likes those then just take some. Also take a qt. size freezer zip-loc and after the meat has been opened, just get some ice from the attendant, put it in the bag with the jar of meat.
What ever carrier you decide on, make sure it's airline approved. Good luck on your trip.

What a brilliant idea to use baby food meats and then keep it cold with a zip-lock bag. I would have never thought of that. I was actually considering having a soft-sided cooler as my second carry-on item! And the baby food jars will be small enough to get through security without any issues. Thank you!!!