Finding A Vet When You’re Traveling

  Posted on December 16, 2013  by Joy of Living  No comments

Traveling with your dog can be a lot of fun. There are plenty of things to see and do and dogs are welcome in lots of different places. If you have an emergency and need veterinary help while you’re traveling, how do you find a vet in an unfamiliar place?

The best way to find a good vet when you need one is to ask your own vet before you go. If you know that you’re going to be traveling with your dog in an area, ask your vet to recommend a good vet. It’s possible that your vet can make a recommendation or find a referral for you. This way you’ll have the name, address and phone number of a good vet wherever you travel. The vet will even be able to contact your vet quickly in case he or she needs information about your dog.

If your vet isn’t able to recommend a vet in the area where you’ll be traveling, check online for vets in the area. Make some phone calls and find a vet who would be able to see your dog if necessary. Locate any pet emergency clinics in the area. Write down the addresses and phone numbers. Keep all of this information in one location so it will be handy if you should need it.

Use a GPS device or Internet driving directions to find quick routes to the vet or the emergency clinic.

If you have friends in the area you’ll be visiting, ask for their recommendation about vets. If they have pets they may be able to tell you about the local vets and who you should see in case of emergency. It’s always good to consider word-of-mouth information about vets.

When you travel with your dog make sure that he wears his rabies tag and other licenses. Carry copies of his rabies certificate and vaccination records, along with any important veterinary records if he has a specific condition. Be prepared with good information in case your dog does need to see a vet. Have your home veterinarian’s phone number, address and fax number handy so the vet can contact him or her if necessary.

Donít forget to take any medications that your dog normally takes with you. Keep them in their original bottle. If you need refills it will be helpful for your vet to see the original prescription bottle.

If you plan ahead you should be able to handle any emergency that comes up for your dog when you travel and you’ll be able to find a great local vet to take care of your dog.