Car Sickness

Banshee13 · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:23 pm Post subject: Car Sickness

One of my pups, Ranger, who is 10 months old gets so sick when we travel in the car. I have tried dramamine, but it rarely works. He used to just drool non-stop, but sometimes on the way HOME, he barfs. I can give him dramamine, wait 20 minutes, and take him to the doggie park (about 15 min. away) and sometimes he is fine. But often, after running around and playing for at least 1 1/2- 2 1/2 hours, he will puke on the way back home. I feel so bad for him because I won't take him anywhere in my car anymore--I only take him when I have my husband's truck. I was hoping he would outgrow this, but it doesn't seem to be getting any better. Has anyone else dealt with this and more importantly, successfully overcome it?

Thanks,
Peri

weim2mom · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject:

Yes. Chevy, and on occasion, Hemi will get car sick.

Here's a few things you can do (that have helped me)
1. limit food a few hours before you go. they can't throw up if they have an empty stomach.
2. benadryl. chevy is 60lbs, and 2 tablets work for her.
3. Have them sit still. If they wonder around in the back or looking from window to window, it can makes things worse.

hope this helps!!!

weimdawgs · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:44 pm Post subject:

My son has a weim/border collie mix, Philly..that ALWAYS gets sick in the car. Everytime we take her anywhere in the car there are lots of papertowels, bags and towels involved. And we try not to feed her for hours before. The car is always soaked with drool. She is four....never got any better.

If it's at all possible, crate him in the car. I believe they feel safer and not so nervous...benedryl before a long trip.

weim2mom · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:44 pm Post subject:

peri , ps...

your kali looks just like my missy. my father in law's dogs, what a beauty!

Banshee13 · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the tips. I try not to feed them for a couple of hours before we leave, but that's not always possible. The weird thing is, like today, he didn't throw up until AFTER we had been at the dog park for 2 hours. So he wouldn't have eaten for at least 3 and maybe 4 hours. I know he does better when we he's in the crate, but his crate is not very "portable"--it's huge--and it doesn't fit in my car. We do set the crate up when we take longer trips, but the doggie park....we just grin and bear it, and keep our fingers crossed that the dramamine will work! Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. I haven't tried benedryl cuz I didn't want him to be groggy and sleepy when our mission is to burn up energy! Oh well...

anne · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:29 am Post subject:

You are not describing motion sickness, your dogsounds like hes afraid of the car. Thus the drooling and the reason dramamine doesn't work. Of course the movment probably doesn't help.
Condition him back to liking the car. Always go somewhere fun with him when you go somewher (if you have to go to the vet, stop a block or so from the vet, an dplay with him then walk there) If he is nervous just bering in the car, then give him treats and such. Always watch his nervousness level and don't force him.

Banshee13 · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:13 pm Post subject:

The new thing with Ranger is that he doesn't always throw up when we GO to the dog park...although the other day he was foaming at the mouth and we hadn't even LEFT the driveway yet!! But after spending 1-2 hours at the dog park--now SEVERAL hours and at least one pooh after he has eaten--he ALWAYS throws up in the car on the way back HOME. I have tried dramamine...doesn't work. Pet calm....doesn't work. No food or water for an hour or two before....doesn't work. CRATE him in the car....doesn't work. Poor thing...he just may be destined to a life of PUKING!

Welches · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:59 pm Post subject:

My young female used to drool uncontrollably whenever she would get in the car. It got so bad she started to be afraid of the car. Once the vet had me give her dramamine and this was the only time she puked. Her drool was so bad I had to cover my seats with rain coats. It was like someone turned on a faucet! Anyway, it was just nausea that caused the drooling. We found that if we make her more comfortable in the car then she is a lot better. I have an Element so I'm able to put my back seats up so she has the floor. Then I put her blankets down on the floor of my car so she can lay down. She seems to drool a lot more when she's on a seat. We don't have much of a problem anymore so I don't know if she's growing out of it, which the vet said she might, or if it's the blankets. Either way it's much better! Smile

Welches · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:02 pm Post subject:

I also forgot, my vet gave me a prescription med to give her before long road trips so she wouldn't get sick. Maybe this is something to look into if he keeps puking so often. Poor little guy!

Banshee13 · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Welches. Do you happen to remember the name of the medication? Dramamine does not seem to help. The last time I took him to the dog park--the close one that is only 1/2 mile away--he didn't drool OR puke, which is a first! This time, he was in my car, and the back seats fold down flat and my 12 year old neighbor was with me, constantly petting him and trying to keep him calm. That helped a lot! Maybe, just maybe he might have outgrown his carsickness, or anxiety, or whatever the heck it is. We'll find out soon--probably this weekend. But thanks so much!

Peri

Welches · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject:

Sorry for the late reply - we've been on vacation. The tablet my vet gave me for nausea is called Cerenia (maropitant citrate).

GailB · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject:

Peri is it hot where you are....I may have an idea for you....

Weimwayz · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 3:21 pm Post subject:

How did the cerenia work?????? It is a fairly new product and we have used it with great succes at our clinic for car sickness. I would love to hear yor experience with it and if it has helped

Welches · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:17 am Post subject:

Weimwayz · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:58 am Post subject:

Thanks welches for the update. That is great to know. I have recommended it to many of our clients but have not heard how it was working. That gives me an idea to follow up with them now. I know it has so mnay stipulations as to when to give it when to feed ect. But if it helps that is great!!!!