Flying a Snub-Nosed Pet?
Here’s What You Need to Know About
Air Travel for Brachycephalic Breeds
Transporting snub-nosed or brachycephalic pets by air requires careful planning and consideration. These breeds, such as Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and Persians, are at a higher risk due to their unique respiratory anatomy. The airlines have specific restrictions, and it's essential to ensure that these pets can travel safely without compromising their health. At Pet First Veterinary Clinic, we are experts in evaluating the fitness of brachycephalic pets to fly, and as an active member of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA), we’re an approved supplier of services to the pet transport industry in the MEA region.
Understanding Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is a common condition in snub-nosed pets. It refers to the obstructed airflow caused by the structural issues in their airway, leading to breathing difficulties. While it’s crucial to be aware of the symptoms of BOAS, it’s also important to understand that not all brachycephalic pets suffer from this condition. According to data from IPATA, less than 5% of brachycephalic dogs are severely affected by BOAS, but it is a significant factor when determining whether your pet can safely fly.
Pet First Veterinary Clinic: Your Trusted Partner for Safe Pet Travel
Pet First is proud to be a leading clinic specializing in the health and safety of pets in transit. We adhere to strict guidelines to evaluate whether your pet is fit to fly, with a focus on brachycephalic breeds. Our veterinarians are certified BOAS Assessors by IPATA, ensuring that your pet undergoes a thorough Fit-to-Fly Assessment before air travel. This certification is often required by airlines before allowing snub-nosed pets on board.
What Is a Fit-to-Fly Assessment?
The Fit-to-Fly Assessment is a comprehensive evaluation carried out by a certified veterinarian to assess your pet’s health and suitability for air travel. The main factors evaluated during this assessment include:
- Overall Respiratory Function: Ensuring that your pet’s airway can handle the pressure changes and stress during flight.
- Severity of BOAS Symptoms: Assessing if your pet exhibits any significant signs of BOAS, which could be exacerbated by the flight experience.
- Stress Tolerance: Evaluating how well your pet can handle the stress associated with air travel, which is especially important for brachycephalic breeds.
If your pet passes this evaluation, they will receive the essential Fit-to-Fly Certificate, which is often a mandatory requirement for most airlines before they will accept a snub-nosed pet for travel.
Which Pets Require a Fit-to-Fly Certification?
It is important to note that certain brachycephalic breeds require a Fit-to-Fly certification prior to air travel. These include popular breeds such as:
- English Bulldogs
- French Bulldogs
- Pugs
- Boston Terriers
- Persian Cats
A full IPATA list of the affected breeds can be found here. If your pet belongs to one of these breeds, it’s essential to schedule an assessment well in advance of your travel plans to avoid any last-minute complications. **Also, we recommend checking your Airline’s list for confirmation.
How to Schedule Your Fit-to-Fly Assessment at Pet First
To begin the process of securing a Fit-to-Fly certificate for your pet, you must first coordinate with your pet shipper or relocation agent. It is mandatory to fill out the Pet Owner Questionnaire with your pet shipper details before scheduling an appointment. If you do not yet have a pet shipper, we recommend contacting Snoopy Pets for assistance in finding a trusted agent.
Important Reminder: If your pet is diagnosed with severe BOAS, they may be deemed unfit to fly for their safety. Always confirm with your airline about their specific policies on brachycephalic pets and travel arrangements before finalizing your flight details.
Why Choose Pet First Veterinary Clinic
As an active IPATA member and a supplier of services to the pet transport industry, Pet First is your go-to clinic for ensuring your pet’s health and safety during their journey. Our certified veterinarians follow all recommended protocols and are committed to providing the highest standards of care for your pet before and during travel.
Contact us today for more information on BOAS and the Fit-to-Fly process. Let us help ensure your pet’s travel experience is smooth and safe.
Learn more about BOAS in our comprehensive blog.
