Health Regulations for travel regarding sedation

By: Animal Travel

Ensure your pet is currently vaccinated. Your vet can supply you with a record card for easy reference.

Except in the case of very young animals, your pet should not be fed for twelve hours prior to travel and should be exercised before being crated.
 
We do not recommend pets to be sedated, but if you feel that this is necessary, you should seek veterinary advice on appropriate dosages.

The most common tranquilizer is Acepromazine (ACP). ACP has been found to have the following consequences for travelling pets:
 
Relaxes the respiratory muscles which makes breathing more difficult therefore could lead to over-exertion just for breathing, which will lower blood sugar and can also alter the body's temperature control mechanism. 
 

Sedatives can also alter the pets’ natural ability to balance and maintain equilibrium, this can be dangerous when your pets can and most likely will be exposed to increased altitude pressures. This can create respiratory and cardiovascular problems for pets travelling while sedated.
 
Snub-nosed dogs and cats (Dogs: Boston Terriers, Boxers, Brussels Griffins, English/French Bulldogs, Japanese Chins, King Charles Spaniels, Lhasa Apsos Pekingese, Pugs, Shar-Peis and Shih Tzus,) (Cats: Persian, Ragdoll, Turkish Van) can be especially affected.

Pets must be able to stand, drink and be comfortable in their travel crate therefore, sedation will affect the ability for the pet to do that.