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Leaving Pets in Your RV
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If you plan to leave a pet in your RV while you sightsee or shop, leave the air conditioning on, especially if your unit is parked in the sun. It is unwise to leave an unattended animal in a camping trailer. They can cause very expensive damage to screens and can also escape.
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Traveling with Pets Checklist
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Favorite toys |
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Collar with temporary ID tags (should be worn at all times) |
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Leash |
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Bed, carrier and/or crate |
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Food and water bowls |
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Regular brand and type of food |
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Pooper-scooper (dogs) |
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Litter box (cats) |
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Proof of rabies vaccination |
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Current health statement from vet |
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Medications |
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Medical records |
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Fresh flea collar |
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Tick repellent |
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Tie-out rope |
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Halter |
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Fresh water |
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Treats to reinforce good behavior |
Keep Your Pet Safe
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NEVER leave your pet unattended in a hot car or RV. Dogs, in particular, have far less tolerance for heat than humans do. Because they only sweat between their toes and by panting, dogs and cats overheat quickly. Even on a comfortable day, the inside temperature of your car can break 100 degrees in just a few minutes, especially in the sun. If you MUST leave your pet alone, park in the shade, leave at least two windows open for air circulation (but not far enough to allow the animal to jump out). Provide a bowl of water and return within five minutes. When it's time to eat, use a drive-through or consider eating in shifts, with a family member staying behind with your pet, preferably outside the car.
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Dehydration and Overheating
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If your pet appears heat stressed (excessive panting, staggering, shaking), take it immediately to a shady place and gently pour water over the animal's head and body. Provide water to drink, but don't allow the animal to guzzle; this can cause vomiting and greater dehydration. Remove the bowl after a few laps and wait a couple of minutes before letting the animal drink more.
While plain water will replace most electrolytes, an electrolyte-enriched drink such as Pedialyte (found in the infant section of grocery and drug stores) will help your pet recover from lack of water more quickly. You can also give your cat or dog a sports drink such as Gatorade to replenish electrolytes. Many pets like the sweet taste.
Dehydration is a consequence of lack of water, overheating, stress, vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms include dry mouth, sunken eyes, loss of elasticity in skin and extreme exhaustion.
To test for dehydration, lift the skin along your pet's back. It should snap back into place when you let go. If the skin stays up in a ridge, your pet is dehydrated. This is an emergency. Take the animal to a vet right away.
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