Travelling with pets on plane-conflicting advice

[japanpaul]

I am in japan, taking refuge 800 miles to the South of tokyo after the earthquake and radiation leak.  Eventually we will go back.   The problem is that we took the cats on their first air trip ever.  Even going to the vets, I recently noticed that Willy is breathing with his mouth open out of fear.  Alice is less obviously frightened, though as a high strung cat (both are rescues from the Japan cat Network), she tends to cower in the cage and for a day after arrival.  Willy is back to normal faster.  After a week here, they are fine.  But when we make the trip back, we wonder what we should do.

On the way down, the vet gave PAXIL, the SSRI used in human depression and anxiety.  I know it takes a while to work i humans,  I wonder if the same for cats,  it seemed to do nothing for them.  Once 7 hours before leaving, and once before the taxi.  We did not want to risk doing at the airport since there would be no way to restrain them.

On the way back, we have these options:


1) No meds. Japan Cat network said they believe most US vets said meds in the air are too risky.

2) Paxil from the Tokyo doc.  

3) A  country doc here (yes, this is beautiful farmland) said he had not heard it was effective.  The country doc said he would prescribe diazepam and an antihistamine.

3) A vet friend living abroad will try to send acepromazine.

So we have these choices.  The opinions vary so much that we are totally confused.  Unfortunately, like most of medhelp, the Dr, forums seem to be closed.   We would prefer hearing from a doc or people who have faced the same dilemma.  How is it that 3 Drs. recommend so very different things?

Thank you in advance.

[nancyjac]

I would go with what works....that is the same thing you did last time.  Cats are very sensitive to change and in my experience, being "back to normal" within a day or a week after a total environment change means they did quite well.  

As for the different recommendations, they each have their pros and cons.  The reason for no meds is that if during flight your cats have an adverse reaction to the meds, you would have no way to get them any help.  They didn't have a reaction to the Paxil on the fist flight, so I would stick with that.  You say it didn't have any effect, but I think it did as evidence by their quick return to normalcy.  

[japanpaul]

Thank you, Opus88....very helpful.  I really appreciate the time you took....I am looking at the info now.    The expert forum is busy, so common on medhelp in general...ah well, try again later.

[opus88]

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=540

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=208&A=2581&S=2

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=208&A=540&S=2

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=C&C=209&S=2

here are a few sites to read up on these meds and how they are used in the veterinary business.....some as you see have multi uses such as acepromazine for a sedative and also as an antihistamine, I do know that I personally have been warned against the use of this medication for my cat b/c of some nasty side effects.

I have no personal knowledge of diazepam(valium), but the article on the site above does say that alprazolam (xanax) is preferred b/c of its longer lasting qualities.

As you mentioned Paxil takes weeks to work in humans therefor why would it be different for pets? And I've searched several sites and nowhere can I find where its a recognized medication for veterinary use....I will send you a good site where they do list behavior medications and antidepressants used for long term behavior training mainly. again Paxil isn't listed there either.

http://www.peteducation.com/category.cfm?c=0+1303+1457

good luck with your search, let us know what you find....I would recommend that whatever you are going to use to give it a trial run one day at home while you are there with kitty to monitor her behavior....they are both alone in a separate area on the plane for pets I assume and not near you incase they have a reaction, so it would be best to trial whatever drug you are going to use at home first, than you can see if it settles her and for how long a period.....best to you all♥

[opus88]

first of all I am so glad you and your family and kitties are safely out of the danger area, this is all so sad and I feel for you all and the plight you are facing. I will do some research for you and get you some answers by tonight. but I will say right now NOT to use acepromazine, its not a good choice. and I don't think paxil was either, esp. in a situation where you aren't with the cats to monitor them...there can be side effects. I will do some checking on diazepam for you. I think the kitty that exibited the actions she did is b/c of a reaction and not clearing the med from her system as she should have.

however I am leaning towards NO meds. many in the holistic world use a product called rescue remedy for such trips or any trauma with much better results and safety.
All doctors whether for humans or animals ALL have their own thoughts on medications, but you will find when it comes to pets sometimes the research into safety is lacking...IMO.
http://www.iherb.com/Bach-Original-Flower-Essences-Rescue-Remedy-Pet-10-ml-0-35-fl-oz-Dropper/10604?at=0

heres a link to our medhelp holistic Vet, I hope she can give you her thoughts on the matter.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Animal-Health---General/show/112?camp=msc

the best to you all♥