OK to travel paperwork for a dog ?

[The Big Fella]

A friend has asked me to stick his dog on the plane from here on Samui to pattaya. No problem. I call the airport banditis here and asked how much etc. reasonable considering what they charge a mortal ofr so rocks up there this morning with said dog to get him on the 11 am flight to U tapau. After weighing in the dog and flight case she then asks me for the certificate to travel paperwork from the vet WTF ?
What paperwork ? nothing was mentioned when I called about any paperwork.
No have no send. FCUK.
Back home with the dog and 2 grand lighter for the taxi there and back. Anybody any idea how much a certifiacte to travel will cost from a vet. Obviously this being Sunday it isn't going to happen today so just want to get an idea
Cheers Chaps.

[November Rain]

Never heard of one and I used to send dogs domestic all the time. I wouldn't imagine it'll be expensive, though - probably like a work permit health certificate from the doc. I'd advise phoning or dropping in on your local vet and asking.

[Roobarb]

I'm guessing it may in part be similar to sending dogs on international flights which I've done a few times. For that you need at a minimum proof that the dog's rabies jabs are up to date and the vet's examination certificate for the airlines to take them. I doubt the rabies jabs are needed for domestic travel - but check first in case...

The vet's certificate is basically just something to say that the dog healthy enough to make it to the other end without dying en route. Airlines understandably get a bit edgy about moving animals as, unlike passengers, they tend not to make much of a fuss in a medical emergency (or if they are mistakenly left in their cage on the tarmac for a few hours with no water). Elderly, sickly and oddly enough snub-nosed dogs like pugs may not pass because their respiratory systems can respond poorly to changes in pressure during the flight.

What it boils down to is that the airlines don't like telling the animal's loving owner that they've killed Fido en-route. For what they charge and the hassles involved in transporting live animals they would prefer general cargo, which doesn't need feeding, watering, lampposts etc.

In all honesty I have no idea whether the certificate you need can be given by any vet or it has to be from an airline approved one. It may be worth seeing a local vet and if they are not sure then get them to speak to the airline office in Samui and find where you need to go to get it done. I think for international flights it needs to be done at a government-approved vet and normally within a few days of travel.

I have no idea on the cost, I can't imagine it's much (a few hundred Baht perhaps) as all the vet does is have a cursory glance at the dog to make sure it looks healthy. If it's asleep they may poke it with a stick just to make sure it's not dead but that's about as technical as the examination is likely to get.

Hope this helps (and is by and large correct).

Good luck.