bringing an old dog

Hi everyone,

I am moving from NYC to London this summer, and planing to take my 14 years old Akita with me. Last couple months, her back legs became very weak, and she has a hard time to walk around.  After x-ray and a blood test, our vet told me that there is nothing to worry about (in terms of health) and that weaker leg is a common for old big dogs (though she is 55 pounds and small for Akita). The vet recommended to take medication (a pain killer) and see how it would help her. 

I have no family here as I am a foreign worker. Because I'm already her 3rd owner (I took her over from my ex-roommate when he went back to his country 6years ago), I don't want her to go through a phase of adaption again. So, leaving her here is not option for me.

My most concern is how a long travel would physically affect her.  If any of you brought your old big dog (or had similar aging issues with my dog), could you please share your and your dog's experience?

Many people have said to me that it's up to me, but I've never had an old dog before and never traveled with a pet.  So, I have no clue what I should expect.  Any advice appreciated.

Thank you.

First thing's first -- you say you are planning to move "this summer". It's already April -- have you started you dog on the PETS Scheme yet? It takes at least seven months of this process, before even leaving the US, to get everything done that ensures there will be no quarantine at the UK end.

Edit -- And hello! Forgetting my manners!

Hi Midnight blue,

Yes.  She already had a microtip, vaccines and blood test in December.  And, our vet is about to prepare a certification for us as I finally got an offer from a school in UK last week.  I believe these were all she needed.  If I'm missing anything please let me know.

Thank you.

Hi len -- it sounds like you are already on top of things regarding PETS. Just to double-check, here is a great thread you can go over if you haven't already, to make sure all your ducks are in a row ---

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=22296.0

There's a Part 2, be sure to check over that too, against what you've done so far for your Akita's PETS process. The last few bits coming up for you is probably the health certificate showing "fit to fly" status, to be issued no more than ten days before actual travel, and tick and tapeworm within 24 hours of travel.

As for the issues developing, I think only your vet can help you decide, having examined your dog and seeing "in person" how things are. One good thing in your favor is that, flying from NYC, you have about as short a flight as can be, which must help. I was flying with my cat from Texas, making for a much longer total journey time my cat had to endure; a shorter time in the air hopefully equals less stress for the animal.

But let you vet help you in this decision. There's a lot to weigh -- she's older and it may be kinder not to put her through the stress, yet then again, she may equally be caused stress and emotional distress by losing yet another human she has bonded with.

One thing to know is that the conditions in the animal section of cargo are not as rough as we imagine -- the animal area is separate from the luggage cargo, and is pressurized and climate controlled with the same air that is circulated in the cabin. There is a public perception that the animals are allowed to be "in with the luggage" freezing and gasping for oxygen -- this is not so!! They are in good hands both in the physical space they occupy in the hold, and in the care they receive at both ends of the journey checking in and being processed out. Hope this helps you to know that if you do decide to go ahead, you dog will be in good hands at least.

Thank you for the info.  That's really helpful.  I'm so glad to find this forum!!

I'll definitely work with our vet closely and try to make the best decision for my dog.