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pennysmom09's avatar
pennysmom09
Explorer
May 19, 2018

Medical emergencies?

I've been wondering (and worrying) about what would happen to our dog if one of us had to go for emergency help while on the road, because of course our first responsibility would be to be there for each other. My DH is 79 in relatively good health, I am a bit younger and healthy, but it is something I wish we had a contingency plan for. Any suggestions from any folks traveling with their pets?
  • LadyRVer wrote:
    Now that I am alone traveling with another cocker, I have a card in my billfold, with dog info and please take to nearest vet if I am incapacitated. I will be responsible for charges.


    This is a great idea.

    Also, please remember the other side of the coin. If someone else is unable to look after their pet due to an emergency, please consider fostering that animal for them. So often, people feel they have no choice but to give up the pet because it is too expensive to board the pet for several months straight. Offering to take in the pet for no more than the cost of food (or not even that) until the owner can care for them again is a huge comfort to folks.

    My mom took in several cats during the Oakland Hills Fire years ago. The people were able to deal with the loss of their homes and get back on their feet knowing that the cats were well cared for and would return to them as soon as they had a new home.

    If someone is facing an emergency in Northern California and needs a safe place for their pet, please contact me.
  • MFL wrote:
    Unless you have family, or friends close enough, and familiar with your pet, it is not going to be a good experience. My little one, pictured on sig page, is so attached to me, that I don't think she'd survive long term. I would feel better having my wife be there for her, rather than be with me. The longest mine has been separated from me is 4 days, and that was at home, with my wife. I won't go into it, but even that did not go well.

    Every ones pet, and separation anxieties may be different, so what works great for some families, may not work for you. The more attention your pet gets from you, the harder the separation is for them.

    Sorry, no easy answer, but many of us worry about the same issue.

    Jerry


    Actually that part is not true. It's not the act of giving attention to the dog that creates separation anxiety. It's a fear response to the perceived losing of safety that the owner presents.

    I point that out because most dogs can move to a new family and be fine.
  • My friends have a sign on their RV door to let people know that there is a pet inside.
  • My late husband fell and broke his nose in 3 places in a vet's office, while there on an emergency with a cocker with cong. heart failure. Took dh by ambulance to hospital (was 350 miles from home.) I followed in car with cocker (under vet's care for the week.) In/out of ER with hubs and checking on dog. Then, when under control at the hospital, I went back to motorhome,
    got it unhooked and used it to go back to hospital. Did that daily for 3 days, 30 minutes with dh, 2 hours w/ cocker, 30 minutes with dh, 2 hours w/cocker. We do what we have to do. Took motorhome back to campground in evening and connected it back up.

    Now that I am alone traveling with another cocker, I have a card in my billfold, with dog info and please take to nearest vet if I am incapacitated. I will be responsible for charges.
  • Unless you have family, or friends close enough, and familiar with your pet, it is not going to be a good experience. My little one, pictured on sig page, is so attached to me, that I don't think she'd survive long term. I would feel better having my wife be there for her, rather than be with me. The longest mine has been separated from me is 4 days, and that was at home, with my wife. I won't go into it, but even that did not go well.

    Every ones pet, and separation anxieties may be different, so what works great for some families, may not work for you. The more attention your pet gets from you, the harder the separation is for them.

    Sorry, no easy answer, but many of us worry about the same issue.

    Jerry
  • How ironic! Yes, we had a similar situation while camping in Tucson and fellow campers helped. I'm referring to out on the road. If it was a life threatening situation and we both had to rush to the hospital, what would happen then? I guess I'll have to hope and pray it never happens!
  • My DH had a medical emergency while we were camped in Tucson and went by ambulance to the hospital. A lady I had met earlier offered to help in any way. I took her phone number and told her if we weren't home and I needed her to let our dog out I would call and tell her where to find a key. As it was, I didn't need her.

    Dale

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