Injury, bite, heat stroke, an accident can happen quickly during the holidays. Our dogs are not spared unfortunately. And as they say, prevention is better than cure! So how do you prevent accidents with your dog during the holidays? How to react if something bad happens to your dog during the holidays? All the answers in this article.

Going on holiday with your dog is an adventure… At the seaside, in the countryside, in the mountains… our dogs are our best travel companions! Always up for it and in a good mood. But sometimes an accident can happen quickly. And I know something about it. I have already had a few problems with Musher. Nothing serious but it is never the right time during the holidays.

Heat stroke, jellyfish or wasp stings, dog fights, poisoning, hiking injuries: vacations can take a strange turn. Especially if your dog is immobilized for a few days. And then the vet bill can considerably reduce the leisure budget of the vacation… especially if you don't have insurance for your dog or a small nest egg set aside for mishaps of this kind. 

Let's take stock together: what are the common accidents on vacation for dogs? By knowing this, you can anticipate and avoid some problems... How to react in the event of an accident? How to cope with the expenses related to veterinary fees? Good preparation and suitable health insurance can make all the difference.

Summary

🆘 The most common accidents on vacation

When you have a dog, you become a dog-parent, and so, just like with our children, you have to keep a close eye on everything they do to avoid trouble. And I know a thing or two about that with Musher. Like any good Labrador, she's a real glutton and is capable of gobbleing up anything and everything. I keep a close eye on her during walks to prevent food poisoning from litter... With her keen sense of smell, she detects everything! A chicken bone tossed into the bushes after a picnic, a peach pit thrown into the ditch along the path, a can of food with juice left in it... even worse: a fish head with the hook still attached. With Musher, anything goes if I'm not careful. And the vet bill can quickly become quite hefty. That's why I'll talk to you a little later about pet insurance . A solution that can help you cope with unexpected expenses for your pet.

In the mountains or in the forest, the most frequent accidents are: leg injuries due to thorns or cuts on rocks, falls and lameness, insect bites or snake or tick bites, or even cold at altitude or excessive fatigue due to very heavy exertion.

At the beach or by a lake , the most frequent accidents are: salt water poisoning (if the dog drinks seawater), cyanobacteria poisoning, sunburn (especially for dogs with colored fur and a pink nose), heatstroke and sunstroke, stings from jellyfish or other marine animals…

dog at the vet covered by dog ​​and cat insurance

How to react in the event of an accident? 🏥

The first good reflex to have if your dog has an accident is to go to the vet or call your vet to get his opinion… Yes but… like children, dogs always get hurt in the evening when the vet is closed, or on the weekend or even on vacation when you are far, very far from your reference vet. What to do then?

Before sharing some helpful tips and best practices, let me briefly discuss pet health insurance. Many providers now offer pet health insurance plans for dogs and cats. These policies reimburse all or part of your veterinary expenses. Several plans exist, with a wide range of options that cover costs in case of accident or illness, for example. Some plans can even cover preventative care such as vaccinations or parasite treatments. Some insurances even cover treatment received abroad, which can be very convenient if you travel frequently outside of France with your dog. The dog and cat insurance offered by Floa ( 1 ) , starting at €9/month, provides reimbursement within 3 days: a practical way to avoid numerous exchanges with your bank. This pet insurance has no deductible, a real bonus. Whether your pet is adventurous, clumsy, or has a fragile constitution, you need to protect it. It's best to do so as soon as possible!

Whether you have opted for dog insurance or not, here are the good reflexes to have in the event of an accident or injury to your animal before going to the vet. 

  • In case of injury cut type, clean the wound with clean water or physiological serum, apply a compress or bandage if necessary and immobilize if possible before consulting your veterinarian. 
  • In case of lameness, immobilize if possible, carry your animal and take it to your veterinarian. Do not self-medicate with human relaxants! You risk poisoning your dog. 
  • In case of poisoning, call your veterinarian or a poison Control Center to take stock with him. Do not make your dog vomit without veterinary advice. Collect what the dog has eaten and note down the quantity he has eaten. 
  • In case of sting or bite, identify the source of the bite: viper, bee, jellyfish, tick… Remove the stinger or tick carefully. Monitor your dog very closely to watch for allergic reactions.  

In case of heatstroke or sunstroke , move your dog to the shade and gradually cool them down. Never use ice water to avoid thermal shock or hypothermia. Give them small amounts of water to drink. Consult a veterinarian immediately: this is a critical situation!

My dog's health checklist on vacation 📋

To travel with peace of mind with your dog, dog health insurance is a good idea, but it is not the only one. To avoid problems, it is better to be well prepared. 

Here's what to pack: 

  • your pet's health record and passport because this is what your holiday vet will look at first to understand your dog's health history
  • the telephone number of your insurer to check with them whether veterinary costs are covered in the event of an accident during the holidays. Some insurers even offer online veterinary assistance accessible 24/24: practical. 
  • the list of veterinarians near your vacation spot
  • business dog first aid kit to relieve minor ailments or in case of emergency before you go to the vet
  • your dog's medications

And that concludes my presentation on the challenges of city life with a dog! I hope I've shared some helpful tips with you. Living in the city with a dog is certainly a challenge, but there are always solutions… It's entirely possible to provide your dog with a pleasant life far from the countryside! By taking care of their physical and mental well-being and being attentive to your pet, you can minimize risks and ensure a more peaceful daily life. If you live in the city with your dog, I encourage you to read about the 10 cities with the best dog parks in France so your dog can get plenty of exercise and socialize!

(1) This insurance contract is taken out with ALTIMA ASSURANCES, a public limited company with capital of €49, RCS Niort 987 960 431, Head office: 942 rue du Stade, 838 Chauray, through LOVYS, a simplified joint stock company with capital of €275 – head office: 79180 rue Pleyel – 2 SAINT-DENIS – Financial guarantee and insurance in accordance with the legislation, RCS 036,79 Bobigny – Insurance or reinsurance broker, registered with ORIAS under No. 5. 

Floa – Public limited company with capital of €72 – Registered office: Immeuble G297, 200 rue Lucien Faure, 7 Bordeaux – RCS Bordeaux 71 33300 434. Subject to the control of the Prudential Control and Resolution Authority 130 Place de Budapest, CS 423, 4 Paris. Orias No.: 92459 75436 07 (www.orias.fr).