Road Trip to Cornell with Dooley and overnight stay

[John Popp]

12 days from now I have a road trip with Dooley, about a 5 hour drive each way and an overnight stay. As I've never done this before I'm wondering if anyone has any tips to make the trip successful.

Currently, I have a medium-size carrier that he loves to hang out in although it's a little shy of him being able to sit up in. Meets more than his shoulder height, he just needs to duck his head to go through the door. If it's advisable to get a bigger carrier, I'll make it happen.

I'll be making my way there in a full-size Quad Cab Truck so he'll have plenty of room to stretch out for a bit. I'll get as big of a Sterilite container as possible to use as a litterbox and fit in the footwell. No open vehicle doors unless he's crated, and no free-roaming while rolling. He won't be needing to eat anything while we're driving and I'll make sure he has access to water. Fortunately, he'll drink out of a rabbit water bottle, so I'll just gaff tape one to the side of his carrier.

In the hotel room, and being the chowhound he is, I'm guessing I won't have any issues getting him to eat and take his meds. I'll have his favorite treat food, cucumbers, and I'll bring plenty of toys. I'm also thinking the cucumbers will be a good way to keep him hydrated on the trip.

After getting the essentials taken care of, I'm not sure what's best having him sleep in his carrier or allowing him to freely roam? Either way, I'll have the carrier on the bed as a safe zone and at arm's length providing him assurance.

If I'm missing anything, and I'm sure I am let me know.

A quick note about the trip. This is just the semi-annual regular vet visit for Dooley. He lost his IM vet to retirement a year ago and we have heen unable to get him the quality care he needs. The other IM vets at the practice are afraid of him, and he smells fear, so it was either going to be off to Cornell or Ohio State for the care of his liver disease.

I was fortunate enough to be able to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sharon Center, who has pretty much wrote the book on Feline Liver Disease. Currently, I'm feeling a bit out over my skis as it's been a year since I've gotten any feedback from someone who understands Dooley's disease as well as I do. Freelancing reducing meds, and gradually increasing protein intake without a feedback loop other than how he looks and behaves.

Anyway, It will be a very big relief to get Dooley in front of a vet familiar with his disease and also understanding of the care and diet we've provided him. So thanks in advance for any info that will make the trip more comfortable for Dooley.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I think that you have a good plan. Generally on long road trips I use a crate large enough to have both cat bed and small litterbox, but the way you are planning is fine too. As you say, no free roaming or opened doors unless crated. Make sure you activate the child lock thingy on the windows too... I've had a cat open the windows before!

Take your hint on whether he should be crated for sleep in his carrier or free in the room from how freaked out he seems. I'd tend to let him roam and snuggle with you in bed... but it can depend also on the room. Investigate if there is any way to crawl under the bed ...or even INSIDE the bed frame. We "lost" Kammie as a kitten by her finding a hole in the underside of the innerspring and crawling into it and then falling asleep and finding her required taking the bed apart. I appreciate that Dooley is considerably larger but cats can find ways to crawl into solid wooden frames of a king sized bed set up etc...it really depends on the hotel room. If you have a morning appointment you aren't going to want to have to tear a room apart to get your cat out of hiding! Favorite wand toys that he can't resist can be useful!

Before letting any of my cats loose in a hotel room I do a walk through, some hotel rooms ridiculously have fake plants that have to be put in closets (if it has a closet that can be closed. I've had to put them on balconies! Check out the toilet paper holder and all such things. You don't need an obstruction on top of everything!

I can imagine how stressful having to "wing it" with Dooley's care has been, I think the plan to travel to Cornell is a good one! Good luck!

 

[Patti]

I agree with everything Brigitte has said. My cats always prefer to sleep with me than in a crate, and always seem to appreciate the dedicated one on one-on-one time they receive when we are on the road. I usually put a towel down on the floor under the food and water dishes, and under the litter box in the hotel room, then shake them out either outside or over the toilet - helps keep the room clean. You can also purchase a "mini" whisk broom/dust pan combo to sweep up after him. Good luck and fingers crossed that his check-up proves him to be in perfect health!

 

[John Popp]

Thanks much, that's very helpful. I had the man thought of leaving the maid $20 to clean up, but I think I like the towel, whisk broom/dustpan combo so they don't need to clean up as much and still leaving the $20.

I've had those special bonding moments a few times, although generally with me lying on the floor and my head in their crate at the hospital. Both boys have had more than enough of that for a lifetime, but it's certainly baked in that they know we are always there for them.

I'm guessing the hotel room with a doorless crate and draped with a beach towel placed on the bed will be my best bet. That's where he hides on windy moonlit nights when the trees cast spooky shadows. Dooley's not much of a cuddler, he needs to be on top of you but never within arms reach. The Keppra he takes causes him some nervousness and anxiety, so he can oft be found hiding out until he's assured everything's ok. That definitely makes his pseudo cave a necessity because I don't want to be taking apart a bed an hour before his appointment.

Thanks again Brigitte and Patti, it's very helpful and helps squash most of my fears.

 

[Patti]

We'll be looking for updates, let us know how it goes!

 

[Ninja-n-Bear]

nvestigate if there is any way to crawl under the bed ...or even INSIDE the bed frame. We "lost" Kammie as a kitten by her finding a hole in the underside of the innerspring and crawling into it and then falling asleep and finding her required taking the bed apart.

This, for sure! I also lost one to a bed frame, right after being neutered, I was frantic, lol.

Another spot to watch out for is the t.v. stand/dresser/fridge area, some places have great hiding nooks - I didn’t have to take the bed apart, but did once have to mostly disassemble a t.v. stand.

Sounds like you’re prepared otherwise. Have a safe trip!

 

[John Popp]

We'll be looking for updates, let us know how it goes!

Will do, now I just need to make sure he passes the 6" hole he just chewed in a fleece jacket.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Will do, now I just need to make sure he passes the 6" hole he just chewed in a fleece jacket.

Oh yikes!

 

[John Popp]

Oh yikes

He dropped a fuzzy deuce so we are all good. Always puts your heart in your stomach and both of them have their different chew triggers.

The worst part is doing a biopsy on a stinky lactulose log to make sure it had the goods.

​

 

[Patti]

OMG, these cats will be the death of us yet!