Motion Sickness
(Copyright © 2001-2002 Linda K. Lawrie. All rights reserved.)

Does your dog get sick on car trips?  Do you find yourself limiting when you take your dog with you?  Is the only time he/she goes in the car are trips to the vet?

The following information is taken from a variety of sources, including Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, Pitcairn's Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, Foster & Smith's Guide to Traveling with your Pet, and websites that are shown below.  Advise presented here should not be your only solution to the problem -- always check with your vet when warranted.

Approach to "solving" dogs having motion sickness range from simple - home remedy solutions to complex - drug oriented solutions.  It likely is caused by overstimulation of the labyrinth of the inner ear.  Often appears in puppies who may "grow" out of the condition.  Certainly will be aggravated by ear problems.

Symptoms include restlessness followed by salivation, yawning, nausea and finally vomiting.

Solutions:
1.  The first solution is "desensitization".  Perhaps the dog has learned to associate car rides with something unpleasant (e.g. vet trip or general life disruption).  So desensitization tries to overcome this by quantity of trips, most of which have pleasant outcomes.  Starting with just sitting still in the drive with the dog in the vehicle.  Short, quick trips that result in doggie adventures (walks in a park, treats, etc.)  Or just general trips that have the dog with their "person".  This seems to have worked for our Jack -- for a while, Duncan took him everywhere in the van with him.  Other things in the desensitization line suggest allowing the dog out of the crate, making sure the dog can see out the front window, having the windows open slightly, keep the emotional tone upbeat -- even if the dog makes a mess.

2.  Other common sense/home remedy solutions.  Don't feed your dog a big meal right before the car ride.  Depending on the dog, you may have to feed up to 2 hours before the trip.  Empty stomachs may not be good either -- possibly a little food.  24kBarb says two ginger snaps will work.  While traveling, the dog can probably make it through the day without breakfast -- don't double up at night.  Another suggestion is a small amount of sugar -- a tablespoon of honey or small piece of hard candy (no chocolate!)

3.  Finally the drug solution.  Like people, dogs might use Dramamine (2 to 4 mg per pound every 8 hours); side effects: drowsiness.  Also, Benadryl (2 mg per pound every eight hours).  B-complex supplementation in the diet may help.  Some of the Bach Floral preparations are recommended in Pitcairn's book.  Rescue Remedy may help calm the nervous pet.  Other homeopathic remedies are suggested in various sources.

Web Sites:
http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/travdog.html
http://www.vin.com/PetCare/Articles/Dogs/PCF00192.htm
http://www.vetinfo.com/dencyclopedia/decarsick.html