Maltese Only News
August 2001

Medical authorities and most handlers agree that drugs are a bad idea for dogs being transported by air. Tranquilizers can depress respiration and dilate blood vessels that can worsen problems arising from mild heat stroke or reductions in oxygen. Heat and sedation is the leading cause of air travel-related pet death.

Even without extreme weather conditions, tranquilizers can kill. It's too easy for nervous dog owners to overdose their pets on the theory that more is better. A properly sedated dog will have impaired reflexes. Drug reactions may differ at cruising altitudes and can lead to illness or even death. That could lead it to drown in its water bowl or otherwise fail to respond appropriately to its environment. Many novice shippers are tranquilizing their pets for the wrong reason. They feel nervous and guilty and relieve these feelings-however unconsciously by knocking out their pets. A dog that "needs" tranquilizers to fly probably shouldn't fly in the first place, warns many veterinarians. Nervous animals can become hyperactive during flight. injuring themselves. Drugs may be the lazy owner's alternative to conditioning the dog to the crate and to the stresses of unfamiliar sights and sounds. Before sedating your dog prior to air travel, why not think about some of the non-drug alternatives to relieve stress.