Car sickness

[KellyB]

Hi all . . . my little doggie gets carsick when we take her to visit our parents (3 hour trip). The vet told me to give her dramamine at a children's dose, which I plan on trying. I was wondering if anyone had tried this before and what the result was? Also, I was thinking of giving her something to occupy her mind, a kong or something, while we're driving, but I don't know if it's a good idea to give her food. I think a lot of the car sickness comes from her being nervous. Any suggestions?

[MrsRottie]

Hi Kelly - are you UK?? I use 'stugeron' or 'sealegs' for Maggie - half a tablet about an hour before we travel. (Active ingredients either cinnarizine or meclizine respectively)

Don't feed for at least 12 hours before you travel, and restrict water for the last 6 hours.

Does she salivate as soon as you get in the car? Will she get in the car OK? I ask because dependant on those answers you can tell if it's a stress response or a true car-sick one. If she salivates and doesn't like the car then you need to de-sensitise her to it - ie spend time sitting in the car, getting her to jump in and out - give her meals in there etc. Then slowly progress to having the engine running and so on.

Another good trick is to freeze a plastic bowl full of water and put it in with her. Don't know why, but it really seems to help with my two. If she's particularly bad, put a few drops of Bach rescue remedy in too.

When you say little - how little? Could you possibly crate her in the car? Or harness her in? Just that if she's a teeny she may be getting thrown around more than the biggies...

Good Luck and let us know how you get on.