Travel anxiety medicine for rabbits?

[minilop_carol]

Hi there,

I am about to move cities with my 2 year old bunny, and the pet store recommended homeopathic travel anxiety drops to help him relax in the car for the long drive – I notice though that these drops contain some alcohol in the ingredients – There’s a picture of a rabbit on the box, but does anyone know if alcohol is safe for rabbits to ingest in medicine form? The brand is HomeoPet for Travel Anxiety if it helps.

Thanks

[Mikey]

Alcohol can really mess up a bunnys tummy and can cause stasis in a worst case scenario. I personally wouldnt try it as if something were to go wrong while on the road, you would need to make an emergency detour to ensure your rabbits safety.

[Vienna Blue in France]

Bachs Rescue Remedy for animals is ok as is Pet Remedy spray.

You can totally prepare him for the least stress possible. Getting him used to the travel carrier.
Put it in his enclosure so he just gets used to it. Taking him for rides around the block. 5mins. Then 15 then 30mins and so on…

[Wick & Fable]

How long is the ride?

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[jerseygirl]

The alcohol is refered to as the preservative here: (Maybe it’s only small %?)

ADMINISTRATION:

Optimally, the liquid preparation should be dropped directly into the mucous membrane of the mouth including lips; ideally in dogs by pulling out the labial pouch, and in cats by raising the head until the mouth opens. Where an animal finds this distressful, or an owner is unable to comply, the medication can be put in the food, water or milk. Where animals are sensitive to the odor of the alcohol preservative, a 10-20 minute period should be allowed for dilution and evaporation before the liquid or food is presented to the patient. Occasionally, animals will shake their heads as a response to the alcohol preservative; cats may salivate excessively and in these cases, presenting it in food, water or milk works. It can also be added to a sprayer and misted in the air around severely affected patients to calm them down, or dropped around bedding area 3-5 times daily.

Looks like there are some alternative ways to give it also. With Rescue Remedy, I was told years ago to put it inside the ears, at the tip. But it could be put in water also, or dabbed on paws in hopes that the bun would lick it off.

[Vienna Blue in France]

The animal rescue remedy is soooooooo much more expensive than the ‘original’ (25 euros vs 8 euros) and i wonder if it really matters…. as Baloo is going through so much when we are training (when i remember!).

If its only the taste from the alcohol (brandy, I’ve read) well… tough
I wondered if it was ‘dangerous’ but it seems not in the small doses given.

Which makes me wonder why they’ve made an animal one at all….

[Deleted User]

If you wanted something more natural, you could try some herbal “tranquility” blends. I’m not sure how effective it would be, but it’s an option! They have stuff like lavender and chamomile in them, the same stuff they claim helps to calm us hoomans.

[Author]

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