Sedation for Airtravel with ESA Doodle

[Paul]

I am traveling with Abby as an emotional support animal from New YOrk To California.
She will be sitting with us in the cabin.She's 2 1/2 year old golden doodle.

THe vet has recommended she take Trazodone 100mgs. I am concerned about this. It's a hefty dose even for a human.

She is such a good animal, she sleeps in the back seat for long car rides (9 hours to MOntreal) and I believe she will be calm and able to sleep next to us or on the floor at our feet. My concern is what if she doesn't? and if she suddenly for whatever reason is upset by flying. (pressure, noise etc)

Any recommendations for helping her be calm. Any experience with Trazodone.

[DonMarie and Picco]

I'm curious to see others input on this so I'm just going to throw out some concerns I would have.

I'm wondering if you should try some before the flight.  I'd be afraid to have a bad reaction to the drug while on a plane. 

How fast acting it is so that wait to see any if she becomes anxious during flight and you can give her some.

Many, many, many years ago when I didn't know any better, I followed the vets advice on giving a sedative to transport my dog in cargo.  When we got to our destination, the dogs eyes were sunken in and he was still somewhat lethargic.  He was definitely over medicated!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I can’t help except to second DonMarie’s suggestion. 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

From an internet article: Another method to dose dog is by total mg size based on weight. For example, initial dosing for dogs less than 22 pounds is total dose of 25 mg every 8 to 24 hours, dogs 22 to 44 pounds the total dose of 50 mg every 12 to 24 hours, dogsover 44 pounds may be prescribed 100 mg every 12 to 24 hours.

My friend flew cross country with a small dog in the cabin. She used the vet-recommended amount of trazodone, administered half an hour before boarding the plane. The dog slept for most of the flight and seemed fine after arriving at the destination. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Our dog, Fudge, is petrified of fireworks and is starting to show anxiety in other areas as well. We have just started our journey with medications for her and my best advice would be to try them ahead of time. The first dose the vet recommended was way too much for her to handle. She was over the top half the night and by that, I mean she was stoned :) She ate all her food (she usually eats like a bird) and then threw it up later. She was tripping over stuff and walked right over our other dog several times as if he were not there. We have since cut the dose in half and I really think it could be cut in half again. It's seems to be a process to find what is going to work best for her. If it were me, I would try it before I ever got on a plane with her. Good luck. I did have a friend who recommended Trazodone (that's not what my Fudge takes) and maybe she will chime in here. 

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Haley has Trazodone 100mg for thunderstorms.  He gets stoned (staggers around) on a 100mg dose so I  cut them in half.  I give him a dose a couple of hours before the storms are expected.  They don't work immediately.