Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

[Insuregal]

Nancy, I am quite sure you are the president of Lurkerville. Roz appointed me as mayor, so I'm sure your position is much more grand than mine. :)

 

Happy Thursday!

Beckie

[wizard-of-roz]

I have never heard of a vet that doesn't think a dog should be on heartworm meds. Bizarre!!

 

Unfortunately, there are some! I don't understand it either. I hope that Krypti really questions their Vet about his/her reasoning.

[Krypti]

Thanks for the advice, all!

 

I think (and I'm trying to remember back two years now, so forgive me if I get the details wrong) my vet's reasoning is that he didn't want to keep putting more chemicals into Darian's system, after Darian started having seizures. We also discussed medications for his seizures, such as phenobarbital, but decided against it. As it turns out, Darian can go between 8 and 12 months between his "seizure weeks" (I don't want to call them clusters, because they're not!) so it's a good thing we didn't try the phenobarbital. We never would've known he could be seizure-free for so long without medication if I'd filled that prescription the day I got it.

 

We're also in Arizona, and here in the desert, there's A LOT of controversy about our mosquitoes -- as in, we don't have many at all, especially outside Phoenix proper. Towns do mass-spraying, and people face hefty fines for leaving standing water, but in general, our mosquito problems are minimal at best.

 

Things will be different with the puppy when it comes to heartworm, especially since we'll be traveling more. As for flea and tick preventative, I'll stick with an as-needed treatment instead, only because we don't go to places where exposure is likely. Again, I know it's not 100%, but I feel better avoiding more unnecessary chemicals.

 

I don't want this to seem like I'm looking for an all-natural solution to everything. I'm not! I'm all for vaccines and whatever supplements and medications my vet recommends. I just don't want to go too far the other way, too. I'm looking for a healthy balance.

 

+++

 

On a cheerier topic, we had a great outing to the base today, practicing walking in stores and resting quietly in the food court. We head to Vegas in three days! Wish us luck!

[wizard-of-roz]

Thanks for the advice, all!

 

I think (and I'm trying to remember back two years now, so forgive me if I get the details wrong) my vet's reasoning is that he didn't want to keep putting more chemicals into Darian's system, after Darian started having seizures. We also discussed medications for his seizures, such as phenobarbital, but decided against it. As it turns out, Darian can go between 8 and 12 months between his "seizure weeks" (I don't want to call them clusters, because they're not!) so it's a good thing we didn't try the phenobarbital. We never would've known he could be seizure-free for so long without medication if I'd filled that prescription the day I got it.

 

We're also in Arizona, and here in the desert, there's A LOT of controversy about our mosquitoes -- as in, we don't have many at all, especially outside Phoenix proper. Towns do mass-spraying, and people face hefty fines for leaving standing water, but in general, our mosquito problems are minimal at best.

 

Things will be different with the puppy when it comes to heartworm, especially since we'll be traveling more. As for flea and tick preventative, I'll stick with an as-needed treatment instead, only because we don't go to places where exposure is likely. Again, I know it's not 100%, but I feel better avoiding more unnecessary chemicals.

 

I don't want this to seem like I'm looking for an all-natural solution to everything. I'm not! I'm all for vaccines and whatever supplements and medications my vet recommends. I just don't want to go too far the other way, too. I'm looking for a healthy balance.

 

+++

 

On a cheerier topic, we had a great outing to the base today, practicing walking in stores and resting quietly in the food court. We head to Vegas in three days! Wish us luck!

 

Are you taking your dog to Vegas? Vegas is full of standing water and mosquitos. I don't want to beat this horse to death but I still disagree with your Vet.

[DUTRAVEL]

Final packing day! Tomorrow we drive over to Ft. Lauderdale and sail at 4 p.m., 10 days Caribbean & Canal.

 

I sent the paperwork last week to the USDA Service Center for endorsement (all overnight service.) They held it back and told my USDA-certified vet to call them yesterday to confirm that the dog had received her K9 Advantix II, 48 hours before departure. Her notation on the submitted form that it would be done wasn't sufficient.

 

Have a fabulous time Chris and Raylene (and Mr. Chris!). You are our guinea pig - we will want to hear how everything went in Panama and your other ports.

 

Fingers crossed that your forms arrive on time tomorrow. At least for my first time in October, I think I will drive to Sacramento (which is only about an hour away) to get the USDA endorsement.

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

The heartworm attacks the dogs heart and respiratory system. They die a very slow death of congestive heart failure........it is agonizing and tortuous.....breaks my heart when I even think of it!

 

That sounds so awful, I can't even think about that happening.

 

Henri is on heartworm and flea medication. We were given the topical Frontline by CCI. What is the flea and tick oral chew and is it approved by CCI?

 

Dianne

[Caribbean Chris]

Have a fabulous time Chris and Raylene (and Mr. Chris!). You are our guinea pig - we will want to hear how everything went in Panama and your other ports.

 

Fingers crossed that your forms arrive on time tomorrow. At least for my first time in October, I think I will drive to Sacramento (which is only about an hour away) to get the USDA endorsement.

 

Dianne

 

Thanks, Dianne! I did get all the USDA papers back today! Besides the 7001 there was a 2-page USDA Aruba form and a 3-page Costa Rica form my vet unearthed. (Not found on the USDA website.) Book a cruise, kill a tree, that's my mantra.

 

We'll leave by 8 a.m. tomorrow, so it was a relief to get them. You are so right to plan on driving to Sacramento. Apparently they'll give you an appointment, at least here they will. Every time I send the docs I wonder what obscure point will be an issue this time. But at least now I have my local vet in my corner helping me.

[Krypti]

Question for solo-cruisers:

 

Have any of you ever cruised alone with a service dog? If so, how did you handle the dog at the pool? If the dog has a rock-solid down-stay, would you leave him within sight of the pool so you could swim? Would you tether him to something? Or just not swim?

[Algebralovr]

That sounds so awful, I can't even think about that happening.

 

Henri is on heartworm and flea medication. We were given the topical Frontline by CCI. What is the flea and tick oral chew and is it approved by CCI?

 

Dianne

 

The oral chew is called NexGuard, and my vet thinks it works. She started Scooter (3/4 lab, 1/4 chow) on it at 8 weeks.

 

We are in Missouri, and the ticks are already BAD this year. Plus we have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in the tick population in the area. I know this for a fact - as my DS got it 18 months ago.

 

You'd have to check further with CCI.

[Caribbean Chris]

We're on board, preparing for safety drill in 40 minutes.

 

Holland America has treated us royally. We were escorted through arrivals to a very professional lady who took us to a check-in station for the photo, key cards, etc. she then personally took us onto the ship, no waiting at all. She radioed ahead and we were met by a Guest Relations supervisor who escorted us to our stateroom and told us where we would find the relief box. The room had an assistive hearing devise for door etc (Raylene already serves that purpose.)

 

We went down to the promenade deck forward, and there were two boxes in a protected area out if the wind or rain, side by side, one tagged with Raylene's name and the other for "Louie." Looking forward to meeting him! Ray hasn't used it yet, just sniffed, but that's normal. She resists the idea but eventually gives it up.

 

Had a peaceful, civilized lunch in the main dining room, followed by a glass of champagne up in the Crow's Nest Lounge by invitation for repeaters (Mariners Club.) Now just awaiting luggage but of course we had some dog food packed in our carry on, so we're fine for now.

 

So far, we are off to a great start! Love Holland America Line.

[rangeley]

Chris just reminded me of something on the ship last cruise. They had this plastic ball on the desk and everytime the phone rang,( which seemed to be alot) the ball would bang on the desk like you wouldnt believe. Awesome for the hearing impaired, not so much for hearing people. We tried to disable it but nothing worked outside of ripping out of the wall, which I almost did. Scared the crap out of us. Finally wrapped in in a big towel and that worked. :eek:

[DUTRAVEL]

The oral chew is called NexGuard, and my vet thinks it works. She started Scooter (3/4 lab, 1/4 chow) on it at 8 weeks.

 

We are in Missouri, and the ticks are already BAD this year. Plus we have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in the tick population in the area. I know this for a fact - as my DS got it 18 months ago.

 

You'd have to check further with CCI.

 

Thanks Barb - if its safe and effective it would be so much easier than the topical treatment.

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

We're on board, preparing for safety drill in 40 minutes.

 

Holland America has treated us royally. We were escorted through arrivals to a very professional lady who took us to a check-in station for the photo, key cards, etc. she then personally took us onto the ship, no waiting at all. She radioed ahead and we were met by a Guest Relations supervisor who escorted us to our stateroom and told us where we would find the relief box. The room had an assistive hearing devise for door etc (Raylene already serves that purpose.)

 

So far, we are off to a great start! Love Holland America Line.

 

Wow - they are doing a great job, sounds like HAL knows how to do it.

 

Dianne

[Krypti]

We're on board, preparing for safety drill in 40 minutes.

 

Holland America has treated us royally. We were escorted through arrivals to a very professional lady who took us to a check-in station for the photo, key cards, etc. she then personally took us onto the ship, no waiting at all. She radioed ahead and we were met by a Guest Relations supervisor who escorted us to our stateroom and told us where we would find the relief box. The room had an assistive hearing devise for door etc (Raylene already serves that purpose.)

 

We went down to the promenade deck forward, and there were two boxes in a protected area out if the wind or rain, side by side, one tagged with Raylene's name and the other for "Louie." Looking forward to meeting him! Ray hasn't used it yet, just sniffed, but that's normal. She resists the idea but eventually gives it up.

 

Had a peaceful, civilized lunch in the main dining room, followed by a glass of champagne up in the Crow's Nest Lounge by invitation for repeaters (Mariners Club.) Now just awaiting luggage but of course we had some dog food packed in our carry on, so we're fine for now.

 

So far, we are off to a great start! Love Holland America Line.

 

That's fantastic! It sounds like HAL knows how to treat their guests and service dogs!

[Insuregal]

Thanks Barb - if its safe and effective it would be so much easier than the topical treatment.

 

Dianne

 

Hi Dianne,

Gibson used to hate the topical treatment. As soon as we put it on he would tear through the house and throw himself on the floor, and over on his back trying to rub it off. Now that he gets Nexgard we have no such behavior. He thinks both the Nexgard and Heartgard are special treats he only gets once a month; so much excitement when Diana gets them out of the drawer for him! Oh, those food centric Labs...

 

Have a great weekend!

Beckie

[thephantomsgirl]

LOL on Gibson thinking the Nexguard and Heartgard are treats!

 

Jagger fortunately just takes his Triflexis without argument.

 

Hope Chris is having a great cruise. HAL sounds great.

 

Jagger and me at class today. Hoping he's coming home SOON! (we are going well)

 

 

Holly

[Algebralovr]

Wish me luck, all,

Scooter and I are going to our puppy socialization class all by ourselves tomorrow. Hubby cannot go. I finally drove on Thursday for the first time since March 4. The PT thinks everything looks good so far on the left ankle, but I don't want to push it. I'm allowed some weight on it after being completely non-weight bearing since surgery.

 

When I take Scooter out on crutches, he is so good! I am rather amazed.

 

Our niece and the girls next door (we live next door to the Christian Campus Fellowship -Women's House) have been amazing. The only bad thing is that he sees a girl heading his direction and he flops over onto his back for belly rubs. It is so funny! But something we will need to work on. I think he likes his belly rubs almost as much as his treats!

 

He is up to 35lbs. Such a big boy and 17 weeks old today. He got to visit the machine shop at the student design Center today with the niece. All the students are stressed out getting ready for competition, so he provided some much needed puppy time for them. Because life is always better when you get puppy kisses.

 

Meanwhile the Human Powered Vehicle Challenge team, the Concrete Canoe Team, twould different proto-type car teams, the Mars Rover team and more are all spending the weekend working hard. Life at an engineering university is never boring, and Scooter makes it better!

 

Have a great weekend!

[thephantomsgirl]

Barb,

 

Good luck, you'll do just fine!

 

Holly

[DUTRAVEL]

Hi Dianne,

Gibson used to hate the topical treatment. As soon as we put it on he would tear through the house and throw himself on the floor, and over on his back trying to rub it off. Now that he gets Nexgard we have no such behavior. He thinks both the Nexgard and Heartgard are special treats he only gets once a month; so much excitement when Diana gets them out of the drawer for him! Oh, those food centric Labs...

 

Have a great weekend!

Beckie

 

Thanks Beckie - I am definitely going to talk to Henri's vet about the Nexgard at her next appointment. It sounds so much easier than the topical treatment. She loves the Heartgard - of course she is a lab too!

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

Wish me luck, all,

Scooter and I are going to our puppy socialization class all by ourselves tomorrow. Hubby cannot go. I finally drove on Thursday for the first time since March 4. The PT thinks everything looks good so far on the left ankle, but I don't want to push it. I'm allowed some weight on it after being completely non-weight bearing since surgery.

 

 

Hope it went well for you and Scooter today Barb.

 

Dianne

[Algebralovr]

Thanks, Holly and Dianne!

 

Scooter and I managed. Another puppy parent helped us in and out of the building. He wanted to pull really hard. We've been working on the pulling, but we get there and it all goes bye-bye.

 

Plus, he had more energy than usual. None of my puppy walkers were available this afternoon to walk him, so he had only the walking I could give him. Not enough.

 

I've got another couple of weeks before I can do any serious walking. I cannot wait!

 

Meanwhile, we work on "off"

[DisneyKidsDad]

OK...I know it's been a while since I posted anything. But work and life has been keeping me pretty busy. So here is a picture I took last night of my "lap dog" Sutter. He will be a year old on Thursday. He is gonna be a hard one to see go in November.

[thephantomsgirl]

Awwww.....nothing like a lap dog! :)

 

Holly

[S.S. Cruisers]

Sutter loves his daddy! :D for now, :( for November....

[rangeley]

OK...I know it's been a while since I posted anything. But work and life has been keeping me pretty busy. So here is a picture I took last night of my "lap dog" Sutter. He will be a year old on Thursday. He is gonna be a hard one to see go in November.

 

Awwww he's a cutie!

 

Omg Nancy too funny

Edited April 12, 2016 by rangeley