GCC has to go to the vet, but it’s cold outside

[TepuiGreenCheekConure]

Hello!

My GCC has to go tot the vet, but it’s like -20 degrees Celsius outside and there’s snow. Do I have to cover his travel cage in blankets or something? Because I’ve heard it’s really dangerous for them to get out when it’s under 18 degrees, so -20 is quite the difference.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Scott]

That is brutal cold, wouldn't want to subject a GCC to that for more than a very brief period. Assume you can pre-heat the vehicle and have exposure for no more than a minute or so during transit? I'd imagine covering with blankets would be best, but admittedly have no experience with such weather.

Hopefully members with experience will post advice!

 

[wrench13]

Like my good friend Scott said, a minute or less exposure should not be dangerous. I would thoroughly warm up the car, heater blasting for a while, and have the travel cage wrapped in a blanket until you get inside the car. Same thing when you leave the vet. Car warmed up well, cage wrapped in a blanket. Going from the car to the vet and from the car to home, again rewrap the cage, and have as little time actually outside. He should be OK.

Damn, minus 20 C, (-4 deg F) where the heck do you live and who would want to live there! My brother lives about 80 miles northwest of Albany NY, the one and only time I visited in the winter, it was -28 deg F ( -33 C) and cold enough to pop the freeze out plugs on my van. Never Again!!

 

[SailBoat]

Since most all Vets in North America are still under some level of Covid (Monster Virus) visit protocols, you should call so you are aware of what their receiving method /requirements they have in place. At present, we drive-up to the front door and bring our DYH Amazon in his travel cage to the front desk, check him in and leave. Since it is also cold here, I sit in the SUV with the engine running and heat on. Once they are done, they call on the mobile phone and I than drive to the front door and go in and pay for the visit and bring HRH back out to the SUV and we are off.

As stated above, with your current temperature, pre-warming your auto is near mandator to drive heat into the engine, transmission and the interior prior to driving.

The distance between your home and your auto defines to what level you provide covering and what type of covering /supplemental heat. Two to three meters, a light covering. 10+ meters and you will want to go to thicker covering and maybe a hot water bottle. Also, if you're faced with a light breeze or a roaring wind also has an effect on 'wind chill' and the need to increase the covering.

 

[Laurasea]

when you get back from vet offer some warm oatmeal or scrambled egg. Or some apple. Sometimes they need a little pick me up from the stress.
O hope everything went well.