Road trip.. What should I take??

[wot_racing]

Im going to my little brothers house in Lexington for a visit this weekend, and taking Duke with me.. I have never had him on an out of town trip, and I want to make sure I have everything...

I have all of his grooming stuff, collars, leashes, water, treats, food.. And the crate is waiting on him in Lexington..

The car ride up will be no problem at all.. He loves riding in the car...He will be with me at ALL times, and only outside the house to be walked..

The question is, as long as I have all his registration papers, and vacination certificates, do I need to take anything else?

Ive never taken a dog on a trip, and dont know exactly what all i need to take, and I want to make sure that I dont leave anything I will need....

[Judi W]

We travel all the time, road trips and airlines. You need a health certificate for the airlines, but not for your road trip. Just enjoy. If you forgot anything, they have stores in Lexington.

[Burnsway]

I would also look over the map and places you will be driving through and look over a BSL page and make sure you will not be driving through any areas that have breed bans. You are probably not going through any of those areas but it does not hurt to make sure.

[wot_racing]

Can they fine me/take duke for just driving by there on my way to Lexington?? Its interstate the whole way, so I wont be stopping until I get to Justins.. I already checked his place.. The city does NOT have a breed ban, but his appartment complex DOES.. He already spoke with the owners, and they said that it was fine for Duke to be there, as long as it was just an overnight visit, and he was on leash and under control anytime he was not in the apartment..

[pbach]

You said it was interstate driving the whole way - will you be stopping at any rest stops along the way (potty breaks?). Have a great time and enjoy the ride.

Patty

[samanthac]

I always take a first aid kit that includes:

1. cotton gauze bandage wrap - 1.5 inch width, 3 inch width
   Vet Wrap -- 2 inch width, and 4 inch width (4 inch is sold for horses)
   Ace bandage
   first aid tape
   cotton gauze pads
   regular bandaids
   cotton swabs or Q-tips
   Benadryl
   ascriptin (buffered aspirin)
   Pepto Bismol tablets
   New Skin liquid bandage (useful for patching abrasions on pads)
   iodine tablets (if you hike and camp in areas where the stream water may not be safe for consumption with out first treating with iodine or boiling)
   oral syringes (for administering liquid oral medicines, getting ear drying solution into ears, etc...very useful!)
   matches
   tweezers
   small blunt end scissors
   canine rectal thermometer (get one made specifically for dogs)
   antibiotic ointment (such as Bacitracin, Betadine, or others)
   Eye rinsing solution (simple mild eye wash)
   small bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
   small bottle of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing)
   alcohol or antiseptic wipes (in small individual packets)
   small jar of Vaseline
   specific medications YOUR dog may need (for allergies, seizures, etc.)

I also tend to include:

1. Ottomax (ointment for ear infections)
   Gentocin topical spray
   hydrocortisone topical spray (such as Cortaid brand)
   ear cleaning solution (Epi-Otic)
   homemade ear drying solution (1 part rubbing alcohol, 1 part white vinegar, 2 parts water)
   Epsom salts

The first thing you need for a good first aid kit is a suitable container. We use a fishing tackle-type box. On the outside, with permanent marker, label the box "First Aid" on all sides -- in an emergency someone else might have to locate and use this kit. Tape to the inside of the box lid, a card with the following information:

your name, address, phone#
name & phone# of someone to contact, in an emergency, who will take care of your dogs if you are incapacitated

your dog's names and any information about any medications they take, any allergies or significant medical conditions they have

name & phone# of your vet

Also tape to the inside of the box lid, a card with a list of common medications, their general dosages, and the specific dose for the weights of your own dogs: For example:


Benadryl 1-2mg per lb, every 8 hrs (65lb dog, 2-4 25mg tablets every 8 hrs)
aspirin 5 mg per lb every 12 hrs (1 325mg tablet per 65lb dog per 12 hrs)
hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting: 1-3 tsp every 10 min until dog vomits
Pepto Bismol 1 tsp per 5lb per 6 hours (3-4 TBSP per 65 lb dog per 6 hrs)
Kaopectate 1 ml per 1 lb per 2 hours (3-4 TBSP per 65 lb dog, 2 hrs)
immodium 1 mg per 15 lbs 1-2 times daily
mineral oil (as a laxative) 5-30 ml per day..do not use long-term

Hope that helps!

[wot_racing]

Originally Posted by pbach

You said it was interstate driving the whole way - will you be stopping at any rest stops along the way (potty breaks?). Have a great time and enjoy the ride.

Patty

its only about 3 hours from my house there.. I guess I should stop half way just in case he needs to go...

I love driving with him with me.. He behaves so well.. Just lays there in the back seat, and when we come to stops, he will just sit up and look out the window.. The best part is putting him in the car.. He will walk to the door, sit, and wait until I say get in. Then he hops in, and sits there until I buckle him in, and then lays down...

I think I wanna take him to a petsmart, but Im slightly worried, I dont think I will.. He has NEVER been in anywhere like that, I am worried he wont behave...

[Denise L.]

Originally Posted by wot_racing

its only about 3 hours from my house there.. I guess I should stop half way just in case he needs to go...

I love driving with him with me.. He behaves so well.. Just lays there in the back seat, and when we come to stops, he will just sit up and look out the window.. The best part is putting him in the car.. He will walk to the door, sit, and wait until I say get in. Then he hops in, and sits there until I buckle him in, and then lays down...

I think I wanna take him to a petsmart, but Im slightly worried, I dont think I will.. He has NEVER been in anywhere like that, I am worried he wont behave...

I hear you! Cyrus is a gentleman most of the time but he still has his bratty moments. I have been taking him to work with me a few times, shopping, to family's homes, etc. and that is proving to be very good for him.

This Saturday we will go to PetSmart for the first time as a "couple" :) I think it is a very important part of training.

Just make sure you have him on leash and under control...I bet he will do just fine if he is good boy other times.

[jas'smom]

I always take temporary tags with the name, address and phone number where we are staying. You know the ones where you can just write in infor. Just in case you somehow get seperated on your trip.

Have fun!!!!

[Luvs]

Originally Posted by samanthac

Benadryl 1-2mg per lb, every 8 hrs (65lb dog, 2-4 25mg tablets every 8 hrs)
aspirin 5 mg per lb every 12 hrs (1 325mg tablet per 65lb dog per 12 hrs)
hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting: 1-3 tsp every 10 min until dog vomits
Pepto Bismol 1 tsp per 5lb per 6 hours (3-4 TBSP per 65 lb dog per 6 hrs)
Kaopectate 1 ml per 1 lb per 2 hours (3-4 TBSP per 65 lb dog, 2 hrs)
immodium 1 mg per 15 lbs 1-2 times daily
mineral oil (as a laxative) 5-30 ml per day..do not use long-term

Hope that helps!

Great list! I had no idea that dogs could take Benadryl. I guess I learned something new today ;)

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally Posted by jas'smom

I always take temporary tags with the name, address and phone number where we are staying. You know the ones where you can just write in infor. Just in case you somehow get seperated on your trip.

Wow, never even thought of that one. Good idea!!!

:)
Brooke

[tilerspop]

Every one has forgotten the most important item that goes on a travelling list - Credit card - for emergencies and forgotten items. Also make sure you label your first aid kit for animals so it doesn't get mistakenly used on people. Some folks get upset about little things like that, I can't imagine why, but they sometimes do. :D

[JBarry]

When I go on road trips I always bring tap water from my tap, for the dog. I fill up atleast a 5 gal bottle for dog water. Seems that all tap water is different in almost every town and different water can send your dog's digestion system into a tizzy.

I KNOW (well I almost positive) that almost everyone here that has moved to a different town, or went away with their dog has had issues. 'Gee my dog has the runs all of a sudden.'

Spare your dog from 'the runs', bring along the same water you feed him daily.

J. Barry

[LavenderRott]

Gosh, I feel like a bad doggy mom! My list usually includes a leash. Food if we are going to be gone past dinner time. Guess I better get a doggy survival kit together.

[babybluetx23]

I never thought about a doggie survival kit! Yikes! I normally also bring harleys Kong and Nylabone. I stuff his kong and freeze it the night before, and then as soon as he gets in HIS seat and lays down, he gets his Kong. I did this because he TRIED to chew on my car and it was a BRAND new car