Cruisers How do you get shots and heartguard for you pets when you are out of the Country?

Question

Once I sail below 10 degrees north I do not plan to go north of there again. We are taking two small dogs with us. Many countries will not allow the dogs off of the boat for health reasons. Good for them. It is their country. I just want to be able to get heart guard and vaccinations etc.

Answer 1

http://pet-supplies.drsfostersmith.com/s...

I'm not sure about all the customs issues with cruising...but I order my cat's vaccines online and do them myself, because it's a heck of a lot cheaper.  You might have to get a vet to call in a prescription for you.

It's really not hard.  They send it in a powdered form, so if you keep it cool, it lasts for a while (I think my cat's feline leukemia vaccine was good for a year).  When it's time, you use a syringe to squirt some water in the vial, stir it up, and inject it under your pet's skin.  For cats, that's terribly easy because they have a huge amount of skin without many nerves in it.  Not sure when it comes to dogs, that's something to ask your vet about.

It sounds sorta scary, but it really isn't once you get used to it.  Maybe you could go to your vet before you leave and he/she can give you some pointers on technique.

Downside:  if you do it yourself, you don't get a vet's certificate, so if you decide you do want to take your dogs up on land, the quarantine might be longer.  That might even be true if/when you return (I assume you are from the US)?

Answer 2

Check with your vet before you leave. Have the dogs checked out for any potential problems so you are completely aware of any issues they may have.   You should be able to purchase enough medicine for your dogs to last you for awhile. Also, have their shots updated before you leave. There are rabies shots that last three years as opposed to one, so think about that if you haven't already. Also check on having meds shipped to you by your vet or one of the online pet meds sources. You should be able to set up a place to get mail at one of your cruising stops along the way.

Lastly, check with the places you plan to cruise to on availability of local vets and regulations regarding bringing pets into the country. I hope you won't have a medical emergency with one of the dogs, but as with everything, it is best to be prepared ahead of time when planning on going cruising.

Good luck and happy cruising!

CJ