Plan ahead if you're taking your pet on holiday

Are you planning a UK holiday with your pets this summer? If so, it’s worth thinking about veterinary care and medications before you set off.

This advice from the British Veterinary Association (BVA) comes amid reports that holiday hotspots across the country have been seeing record bookings.

With the easing of lockdown restrictions, the start of the school holidays and the increase in pet ownership during the pandemic, it’s likely that many more holidaymakers will travel with their furry friends over the coming weeks.

The BVA recommends that pet owners talk to their local vet about preventive healthcare before travelling. For example, some parts of the country may pose specific health risks such as ticks.

Your vet can also advise on preventing heatstroke and how to recognise signs of overheating in your dog. Never leave dogs in cars on a warm day and take extra care when walking older dogs or flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs and Pugs, who are particularly susceptible to heatstroke.

Make sure you have enough supplies of any medication your pets are taking.

You should also identify a local vet in the area where you will be holidaying in case of an emergency, and check their out of hours and emergency provisions.

And if your pet needs veterinary care while on holiday, always call ahead to the practice to get advice and respect the vet’s decision in managing and treating the case.

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