I am still over in Austria enjoying myself immensely. I mentioned how the locals bring their dogs with them to the stores and restaurants, but many of the dogs I see are also on vacation with their owners and are traveling short or long distances.  
I also see dogs that have traveled on planes, trains and in autos from countries throughout Europe and sometimes even from the United States.It made me think about things to consider if you are traveling with your dog this summer.
Be sure to have the following with you before you leave home. Proper identification should include a rabies tag, an ID tag with your name address and phone number, and a microchip.
I recommend plastic bowls of frozen water.  These thaw slowly and don’t spill easily. Bring your pet’s favorite bed and toys.  Use a carrier or a pet seatbelt for all pets while in the car.  Animals loose in the car are dangerous to you and themselves. Bring leashes.  Bring familiar pet food.  Changes in food can cause diarrhea or upset stomachs, a most unwanted consequence during a long trip. Bring copies of recent vaccinations or pertinent veterinary records, medications, and photos of your pets in case of an accidental escape. Have your local veterinarian’s phone number handy in case of emergency.  
Remember that during the summer you cannot leave your pet unattended in your car.  Plan to have picnics at rest areas or parks rather than taking time to go into a restaurant.
Dogs usually love car travel, but if you have an anxious one, sedatives or Benadryl can be used to control excitement and nausea.  Ask your vet for appropriate doses.  Some dogs respond favorably to Bach flower oil.  Most health food stores carry this as Rescue Remedy drops. Two to four drops on the tongue can produce a little relaxation without causing significant drowsiness.  If your pet gets car sick, ask your vet about Cerenia, a new medication for motion sickness in dogs.
As you travel, you may need to find some pet friendly hotels.  Many large chains allow dogs up to 50 pounds, but you can usually expect to pay a non-refundable deposit from $5 - $25 per pet.  There are several Web sites that provide updated lists of pet friendly hotels.  
Here are two that are relatively easy to navigate: www.petswelcome.com and www.travelpets.com.  Be sure to call campgrounds ahead of time to learn about their pet policies.  
If you plan a trip by plane, don’t forget to obtain airline requirements when you make your reservation.  All airlines have similar rules, but some require a health certificate and physical exam within three days of travel. Also, some airlines require a specific statement regarding the pet’s ability to tolerate temperatures below 45F.  I like to have the client write down the exact wording as provided by the airline, and then, if appropriate, I sign that statement. All veterinarians carry generic health certificates, but some airlines prefer their own wording.
Preparing for and overseas trip is a constant challenge to veterinary hospitals because each nation has its own requirements and forms that must be completed.
 The US military does an excellent job of preparing pet owners for the obstacles they will face and for providing the necessary forms, however, if one is traveling without the US government as their travel agent, then finding the appropriate information can be complicated.
At Bees Ferry Veterinary Hospital, we have the owner contact the consulate for the nations they intend to visit, request the appropriate forms and find out test and vaccination requirements.  This information and addresses for the world’s embassies can be found in the State Department’s Web site, www.state.gov.  At the home page, look for Foreign Entry Requirements.  From that page, you simply look for the country to which you intend to travel.  While at the state department Web site, also check out their tips on bringing animals to the US.  These tips will help you prepare for your return to the US.
Most nations have a pretty straightforward plan for incoming pets and require standard vaccinations, fecal examinations and heartworm tests.  However, any rabies-free zone will have much more stringent requirements.  For example, England, which has recently rescinded it’s requirement to quarantine all incoming pets for six months, has a protocol which is so difficult to follow that I have a designated staff member who oversees all of the blood testing, microchipping and vaccination schedules that are required for entry to this country.  It takes months to prepare a pet for entry into England.  Other rabies free zones include Hawaii, many Caribbean islands, New Zealand, Australia and Japan.
In general, we recommend that you do not sedate your pet for airline travel; they need all their faculties about them to handle environmental changes.  There are a very few exceptions to this rule and your veterinarian can help you make the final decision.  If your pet is small enough to fit in a small carrier, you can take him/her on board with you.  Be sure the carrier you buy will fit “under the seat in front of you.”  Bring a few small towels, “wee-wee” pads and a plastic bag to hold these items if they get soiled.  If your pet must go into the cargo hold, then provide a sheet for comfortable light bedding and a plastic frozen water dish.  Adapt your pet to the carrier weeks before travel by providing a special treat or toy inside the carrier and leaving the door open.
Once you have jumped all of the paperwork hurdles and prepared your pet for several hours of confinement, you can relax and enjoy your trip with your best friend at your side.

(Dr. Katherine A. Saenger, DVM, owns Bees Ferry Veterinary Hospital and Boarding Kennel (www.beesferry.com) and is a former board member of the Charleston Animal Society (formerly John Ancrum SPCA.) If you have questions about pet behavior or health, or suggestions for column topics, e-mail her at vetsaenger@bellsouth.net, and watch the column in coming weeks for her responses.)