Protect Your Pet on the Road: An In-Depth Guide to Travel-Related Diseases and How to Prevent Them

Traveling with your pet can be an incredibly rewarding experience—but it’s not without risks. From new environments to increased exposure to unfamiliar pathogens, travel presents unique health challenges that many pet owners don’t anticipate.

Whether you’re planning a cross-country road trip or a weekend getaway, it’s essential to prepare your pet for the journey ahead. At Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital, we’re here to help you identify and prevent the less obvious but highly impactful risks your pet may face on the road.

Schedule a pre-travel consultation to ensure your pet is ready for safe travels.

Health Risks Pets Face While Traveling

Respiratory Infections from Roadside Stops

Dog parks at rest areas and roadside green spaces may harbor contagious illnesses such as:

  • Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (Kennel Cough): Spread through nose-to-nose contact or shared water bowls.
  • Feline Upper Respiratory Infections: Easily transmitted in shared or high-traffic pet areas.

Learn more about feline respiratory infections – ASPCA Pro
More on kennel cough in dogs – AKC

Stress-Induced Diarrhea

Changes in routine, car motion, or anxiety can cause gastrointestinal upset, especially in sensitive pets.

  • Symptoms: Loose stool, straining, or refusal to eat
  • Prevention: Avoid sudden diet changes, maintain feeding routines, and ask your vet about probiotics or calming supplements before travel

Skin Conditions on the Go

Hot Spots from Allergies or Parasites

Increased outdoor exposure may lead to:

  • Hot, moist areas of inflamed skin often triggered by allergies, insect bites, or matted fur after swimming

Sunburn

Pets with light-colored fur or exposed skin (like on noses or bellies) are at risk for sunburn—especially after hikes or beach trips.

  • Tip: Use pet-safe sunscreen and avoid peak sun hours

Parasite Bites

New regions may introduce fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes your pet hasn’t encountered before. These can lead to skin irritation, hot spots, or disease transmission.

  • Prevention: Use a veterinarian-recommended flea, tick, and heartworm preventive year-round

Orthopedic Injuries from Increased Activity

Hiking, climbing into and out of cars, or running across uneven terrain can result in:

  • Sprains, soft tissue injuries, or even ligament tears
  • Stiffness after travel, especially in older pets

Tip: Encourage frequent breaks, limit high jumps, and allow time for stretching and rest.

Environmental Risks You Might Not Expect

Altitude & Heart Disease

Pets with heart conditions may struggle at higher elevations due to reduced oxygen.

  • Signs to watch for: Labored breathing, fainting, or coughing
  • Talk to your veterinarian before traveling to mountainous areas

Salt Water Ingestion

Pets not used to oceans may drink from saltwater sources, leading to saltwater toxicity:

  • Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures
  • Always offer plenty of fresh water and rinse pets after swimming

Blue-Green Algae

Warm, stagnant lakes can harbor toxic algae. Even a small amount ingested while swimming or licking fur can be deadly.

Understanding the dangers of blue-green algae – AAHA

Head-Out-the-Window Hazards

It’s a classic sight—but allowing your pet to ride with their head out the car window can cause:

  • Corneal Ulcers: Debris, bugs, or wind can injure the eye
  • Ear infections or trauma
  • Sunburn on noses or ears

Keep windows closed or only cracked, and consider safety eye protection for dogs who ride often.

Core Travel-Related Diseases & Prevention

Heartworm Disease

Leptospirosis

Tick-Borne Diseases

Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis are more common in wooded or grassy travel areas.

  • Prevention: Year-round tick preventives and avoiding high-tick areas

Rabies

Always a concern when traveling near wildlife or in regions where rabies is endemic.

Before You Go: Plan Ahead for Safe Pet Travel

Veterinary Pre-Travel Consultation

Discuss your destination with your vet so you can plan for:

Safe Travel Practices

  • Use secure carriers or harnesses
  • Offer frequent hydration breaks
  • Avoid unfamiliar water sources
  • Maintain temperature control in your vehicle
    Heat Safety Tips for Pets – AAHA

Emergency Preparedness

Safe Travel Starts with Prevention

Your pet depends on you to make safe, informed decisions while traveling. Many travel-related diseases and injuries are entirely preventable with a little preparation and the right precautions.

Before you hit the road, schedule a pre-travel exam at Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital. Together, we’ll make sure your pet is healthy, protected, and ready for adventure.