Is a 16 hour flight too much for my bunny?

[Sucre&I]

In the next 6-7 months we will be moving to Japan. I researched what it takes to bring a rabbit in and out of Japan, surprisingly it’s easier than a dog or cat.

What I am trying to decide now is weather or not Sucre will be able to handle the long flight. I know rabbits aren’t fond of transportation in cars let alone airplanes. I don’t want to put him through something that could hurt or possible kill him.

My options are to bring him with us and hope he does good on the flight, have my sister keep him for 3 years while we are out of the states, or find him a new home.

I’m just torn on what to do and any words of wisdom  would be great.

 

Ohhh Sucre just did a dramatic flop next to me on the bed! Moments like this I dont know how i can leave him behind

[Sarita]

In my opinion, if your sister will keep him, that would be better. I’m not certain what type of vet care you could get in Japan too.

[RabbitPam]

I would first research the airlines to find out where exactly you would be having the bunny while you travel. The usual options seem to be awake in a carrying case next to you or at your feet (which usually costs extra, like another seat or part of that price) or in the cargo hold like dogs, in which case your bunny is put to sleep for the duration of the trip. So find out the airlines rules and options.

Next, ask your vet. If the vet has a relaxant medication that would keep the bunny calm and sleepy in the carrier while in the plane with you (the best optiion for the bunny is in the plane where you are) then you might consider that. Also the vet may know the effects of a long flight vs. a shorter one. Are you changing planes with the bunny, too? You’d need assistance in airports, like someone with a wheelchair would, but that can be arranged.

Finally, check out the HRS site, http://www.rabbit.org, and do a search for vets in Japan near where you will be living. They have an international vet search in their pages on finding a vet. See if there is one. Also search their website to see if anyone has written an article on long air transport of bunnies.

We had someone post about flying here from Hawaii, and another from China, with pages of responses, but I don’t recall what they both ended up doing. You can search the forums for those, too.

[longhairmike]

if she goes, check your luggage, carry on the bun carrier. while everyone else is stuck playing with the stupid apps on their cell phone, you get to give bunny massages.

look at it this way, YOU’re stuck in a cramped seat for the 16 hour flight. at least your bunny can just flop over and sleep in the carrier.
I’d be mostly concerned how they handle the cabin pressurization at altitude.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I would also be concerned about the pressure and the stress on bunny if it’s not a smooth flight. I know it would be very hard on you but I would leave Sucre with your sister as long as you trust she will be a good, responsible caregiver and you can get updates and pictures regularly. I think you need to decide what is best for bunny despite how hard it might be for you.

[LoveChaCha]

It depends.

I know a lot of owners (mostly older teens, adults) have rabbits and there are many vet places in Japan. I looked up a site for you, but I’m not sure where you will be.
http://www.yellowpage-jp.com/modules/mxdirectory/viewcat.php?cid=328

I am curious to how bunny settles if you decide to take bunbun : )

[Otti]

This is actually a topic that really interests me because I’m originally from Italy, and there’s a chance that in the next 4 years or so I might decide to move back. If that were the case and Sammy (knock on wood) were still with me, I think I couldn’t bear the idea of leaving him behind.

I know that a few friends might offer to take over as his human, but I just am too bonded to him, so unless there was no chance he’d be okay bringing him back, I don’t think I’d feel comfortable leaving him behind.

I’ve looked into this just briefly, and found that Delta in particular is said to allow rabbits in cabin inside a cat carrier. I think my plan would be to either fly in one of the more expensive classes and therefore have more space in my seat for his carrier, or buy two seats in economy. Since there are no direct flights from where I am in Milan, I might even plan on taking a direct flight to the east coast, or somewhere else in Europe, staying there one or two days to let Sammy readjust post first-flight, and then take him again on the second flight to get him all the way to Milan. Maybe I could also do the second stretch by train if I flew to Paris or somewhere in Germany.

Anyways, that would be my plan. Find an airline that allows your pet in flight. Figure out any vet vaccinations, pet passport stuff, and any issues the country you are bringing him to might have with letting a rabbit enter the country. Find out if you are going on a direct flight or need to make stops. And then go from there.

I’d be interested in hearing how it goes if you do take her. I’m wondering what the best way of setting up the carrier would be. Maybe with a small litter box with litter in it and then an area to lay down. Water bottle attached to the side, extra water for refilling, pellets and hay with you.

[RabbitPam]

I know that the flight in the cabin with you in a carrier poses no danger to your bunny. I have heard it recommended that a carrier on a seat or the floor with you for the duration of the flight is the best way. If you do that, after consulting with the airlines, you can bring a carry on bag of supplies with you. I would suggest litter in a pan in the carrier, with small amount of fresh in the carry on, lidded plastic containers of hay and pellets, and several bottles of water to refill a water dish or bottle. Be sure to bring empty garbage bags in the carry on, so you can change the litter out and dispose of it if necessary, plus paper towels to wipe up spills.

Best bet is to call the airlines and see what they recommend. Then your vet.

[Sarita]

You need to find out what if any restrictions/quarantines there are for bringing a domestic rabbit into Japan. Check with the Japanese consulate. You need to do that first and foremost.

[Sarita]

This is what I can find:

http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/im_rabbit.html

Best to verify that this is current information.

[jerseygirl]

If you have found entering and exiting Japan with a rabbit to be not too big an issue, do make sure re-entering the US with one is not one either. I can’t exactly recall but I think they have to have a certain vaccination status for coming into the US.

How does Sucre currently cope with car travel? If he does ok, you could start to take trips with him more freqently to get him more accustomed to motion, noise and being in a carrier. This all may help (hopefully) when it comes to air travel.

You might find it useful to start communicating with those living in Japan with house rabbits, and ex-pats that have travelled with pets. Maybe through forums? They might have some tips learnt from 1st hand experiences.
These links below detail some experiences of those who have flown with rabbits:
http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/flytips.html
http://www.rabbitsinthehouse.org/newsletter/hurdlingthroughspace.pdf
http://www.rabbit.org/journal/4-10/flying.html

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