HI Everyone,

So I'm planning my big trip back to the USA from France next Sunday, and was
looking for some advice on sedatives for my Doberman.

I have heard many differing opinions regarding the use of sedatives for dogs
during overseas flights, and am looking for opinions and knowledge. I have
always thought it unsafe to administer such drugs to animals, so my first
reaction is not to give her anything and hope she doesn't walk away too
traumatized from the trip, but my French vet (who doesn't have my utmost
confidence) states that it is cruel NOT to give them.

To give you a bit of knowledge regarding the character of my Talisman: 2 years
old, 33 kilos, currently IN HEAT !!! She is nervous, does not like to be in a
crate for extended periods of time (will scratch, whine continuously), and well,
is REALLY spoiled with affection (I work from a home office, so she has me
nearby at all times of the day!) She is RAW fed, but has been having a bit of a
diarrhea problem over the two weeks (she would be so embarassed if she knew I
told you!)

We purchased an extra large travel crate for her - the biggest we could fit on
the plane (you see how spoiled she is!) that cost us more than my college
tuition, but she will be in the crate for a minimum 11 hours (2 hour prior
check-in + 8 hour flight + 1 hour customs + 1 hour to travel home by car).

The sedatives the vet gave me are called CALMIVET (French) - I don't know what
it would be in English, but the ingredient is Acépromazine and Excipient QSP (no
idea what these are). I'm a more than a little freaked out, because the vet told
me to give them to her 6 tablets two hours before we take her to check-in and
put her in the crate immediately (which adds another two hours to the above
figure) because some dogs have an adverse reaction to taking sedatives - that
is, they get even more nervous and freak out. She told me that if this happens,
to give her 2 more tablets, but that is the limit. This is just something that
doesn't sound exceedingly safe to me - I don't think I would follow this advice
for my child!

So, I'm looking for advice, as usual. Maybe something holistic would be a better
solution? Maybe nothing at all and hope for the best? Maybe I'm just a nervous
momma?

Andrea and Talisman


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