My pet is needs to be seen by a vet, but is afraid of the car. What should I do?

This article is similar to previous articles that I have written on this site dealing with questions of if a pet really needs to be seen and what to do for routine visits to the vet (or elsewhere) for a pet who is terrified of the car ride, the vet office or both.

Please see Related Articles below for a comprehensive list of related tips and articles on this subject.

Sometimes pet owners are unsure if they should take their pet to the vet. Other times, they know that their pet needs to be seen by their vet, but worry that the car trip stress will make their pet worse.

The "should my pet be seen by a vet" question is a common question. Many times, one of the reasons for not going to the vet is that the pet is afraid of the car ride. If your pet is truly sick or injured, he needs to be seen as soon as possible, and the urgency outweighs the unpleasantness of the car ride. Here are some tips to help ease the fear for pets afraid of the car.

When your pet needs to be seen by a vet:
While it is understandable to want to reduce stress and make your pet as comfortable as possible, for a pet that is truly sick or injured, minutes and hours count! The potential unpleasantness of the car ride is outweighed greatly by having your pet seen as soon as possible. Situations such as a blocked urethra in a cat (can't urinate) or a dehydrated vomiting puppy can mean the difference between life and death if time is spent trying to keep the animal comfortable at home rather than being treated.

For routine office visits:
For vet visits such as vaccinations, annual checkups and so on, it is wise to work on desensitizing your pet to the car rides and office stress as much as possible. Short car rides to pleasant places, such as a park can take away some of the fear of the unknown. Speak to your veterinarian about working with some non-stressful office visits (maybe just a quick peek in the waiting room to get a biscuit!) to help your pet be more manageable when or if the need arises.

Safety First:
Make sure your pet is adequately restrained in a pet carrier or pet seat belt harness. Getting injured to the vet would be extra bad.

For the times you are unsure if your pet needs to be seen:
Some pet owners honestly do not know if the pet needs to be seen now or can wait and watch for awhile. For some, deciding to go to the vet may be a question of who is closest and if the pet can wait -- the regular vet being just "down the road" and the emergency vet being an hour away.

Rule of thumb: any time that your pet is ill, injured or "not himself" warrants a phone call to your veterinarian's office. If it is a night, weekend or holiday, it is important to make that call. Your vet will have an answering service or message directing you who to call if the office is closed. This is always a first step and the best way to get advice on how to proceed for your pet.

Related Articles:
My pet is terrified of the vet. What are some tips to help my pet?
My pet is "not herself" lately. Should I watch her, or call the vet?
Swollen paw - - call the vet or wait and see?
Should I Call The Vet?
Parts 1, 2 and 3, discussing several typical scenarios for pet owners.

Photo: Terrified Cats © firepile on Flickr