Help! How do I get my dog from UK to USA for surgery?

[Aircooled_Bug]

There is always a lot of knowledge amongst PH'ers and I need help solving a pressing issue.

I have a dog, his name is Alfred, he belongs to my wife Renée but is my best friend. Alfie is 3 years old and just before Christmas began having seizures and a large brain tumour was discovered in a difficult to treat place. Surgery not an option for him when assessed at the Queen Mother Hospital. However, through much Googling I came across a talented doctor in the USA who has treated many Boston Terriers with brain tumours with a combination of surgery and immunotherapy with great success. She is confident she can save Alfie. My problem is I am hitting a brick wall trying to get him there.

He needs to fly in cabin as he is a seizure risk. No dogs can fly in cabin on a commercial flight from the UK. I have asked BA if they could make an exception as they allow Assistance Dogs in cabin but they are not able to help in this instance because of DoE and CAA rules – actually they seemed more concerned that he is a snub nose breed so perhaps too many red flags for them?

If we were not in a pandemic and travel restrictions were not in place, I could drive over to Amsterdam and fly him on a Delta flight in cabin (they only allow dogs in cabin currently, no hold) but this is not an option as they will not allow a UK dog to board (if I were coming from Amsterdam or Paris I could do this).

I just checked to see if he could sail on the QM2 but there are no crossings until at least summer because of the pandemic.

Has anyone got any ideas or contacts who could help get him to the USA? I did have his surgery pencilled in for next Tuesday but realise that is not likely to happen now and may have to be pushed to the 2nd of March. Hopefully he won't deteriorate too fast.

Edited by Aircooled_Bug on Wednesday 3rd February 18:33

[psi310398]

I’m sorry to hear about your dog.

In normal times, there is a small market in commercial shipping lines making owner’s cabins available to civilian passengers. It’s all fairly basic. My father frequently used to hitch a ride across the Atlantic on banana boats many decades ago.

It might be worth an internet search.

[n3il123]

Pay for the surgeon to fly here, hire a vets operating theatre for a couple of hours.

[vikingaero]

I had a look at some cargo ships that offer a passenger service and most have suspended carrying passengers.

From Google there a few websites "cargo planes that carry dogs":

PetAirUK say that KLM do but seem to deny snub noses.

[pidsy]

Not going to be easy at all.

You’ve spoken to both the RVC and Davies referrals?

Both are renowned in their fields - the RVC especially. They do deal internationally (surgeries and cross country referrals).

Got to be worth a call before you spend an awful lot of money on what could potentially be no use.

Edit to add - I didn’t realise that the QM was part of the RVC - if they’re unable to help - it’s a very tough situation.

Fly the surgeon here.

Edited by pidsy on Wednesday 3rd February 16:32

[greygoose]

Private jet, obviously expensive but if you really want to get your dog to America.

[Aircooled_Bug]

Thanks everyone, some good suggestions and ideas.

RVC is where we did his MRIs, surgery not an option for him with them but it is with the specialist in the USA (Dr is running ongoing clinical studies for 20 years with the breed and tumors like his).

Offered to fly her out but that's a no go – who wants to be in a isolate hotel in Heathrow for 10 days?

Cargo a nice idea but as pointed out, that option currently suspended.

BA have also said they are looking to see if there is a work around. Not sure if there will be but nice that they are exploring.

Looking into private jets etc now. It is an option.