Our dog Farley, spends his winters in the Bahamas on our Lagoon 380 S2.
We’ve entered the part of the year where we need prepare for the season. This includes provisioning for Farley. In Going Sailing With Your Dog? I gave a high level list of what to bring on a cruising boat.
Today I’ll focus on his medical kit.
Before entering the Bahamas, Farley needs to get a health certificate. This has to be done right before we cross, so I don’t leave anything critical until then. Sometime during the summer, I have a discussion with Farley’s vet about what he needs for the upcoming season. If your dog required any medication, it’s best to order early. Sometime the vet won’t carry a six month supply.
For Farley we bring
- Doxycycline – for lyme’s disease. This horrible disease can be cured, but only if you have the right medication.
- Advantix – some years are worse than others in the Bahamas for ticks.
- Heartworm pills
- The cone of shame, both a soft one, as shown in the photo and a hard plastic one. They can be stored flat underneath a bunk.
- Ear cleaning fluid. Farley tends to get ear infractions when he swims in salt water. The fluid seems to held reduce this.
- Antibiotic ear drops – for a serious infection
- Antibiotic eye drops – for a serious infection
- Muzzle – in case of severer injury, it might avoid a dog bite.
- Shampoo – think lots of sand! I put this under medical and not grooming as I believe it keeps Farley from having skin issues.
There are items from our medical kit that we could use for Farley. This includes large bandages, scissors, gloves, and antibiotic cream. I never give Farley medication from our kit unless a vet tells me it’s okay.
Before I leave for the season, I talk to my vet and make sure I can contact them while I’m away. There are vets in the Bahamas, and my experience there has been very good, but when sailing away from civilization, sometimes the only way to get a consult is through email
Please remember, this is what I bring based on what Farley needs. It’s best to consult your vet to get the right things for your dog.
If you have other items you bring, please let me know.
Creative Story Editors 
I love the close-up of Farley, even though he looks kind of upset about the cone. Good idea to put a kit together for him!
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I always get the impression Farley is embarrassed by the cone. He takes it well, but I can tell he’s not thrilled. Luckily he hasn’t had to wear one often.
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Doesn’t the cone mean he gets to go kayaking?
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Farley always gets to go kayaking. He barks at me if I don’t take him. He can show attitude when he needs it to get what he wants.
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Eeee Gads. I’m glad my puppy has a summer home at the shore. She goes there and spends a week whenever we vacation. SHe had fun with her birth mother, brother, and aunt and their family (her breeder)
This way I know she’s safe, having a great time, and I don’t need to worry about packing all that stuff.
The only problem is, when we reciprocate, we get three extra dogs in return. Yikes!
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I love dog sitting other dogs. So much fun, but a lot of work. We don’t usually leave Farley with anyone. He’s a traveling dog! Sometimes it’s a bit restrictive, but mostly we all have fun.
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