Car Sickness In Dogs Helpful Hints

[vicky payne]

I wrote this just before Rumer got 'travel phobia!
I cured her by not going near the car for a week, then luring her in and out for treats. The turning point for her was making her own decision to get in. It was a rocky road with a few setbacks but she now seems cured.

SPORTING SHOOTER NOV11 TRAVELLING DOGS


This might not seem like the most obvious topic for a veterinary column but travelling and travel sickness are things I get asked about quite regularly and most working gundogs are going to have to travel in a vehicle on a regular basis.

Many puppies take to travelling in vehicles without problems, especially if they can be travelled with a more experienced dog. But the motion of a car can cause travel sickness and the unfamiliar noises can make a pup afraid, occasionally leading to a lifelong fear of travel.

Assess the Vehicle
It is important your dog feels safe and comfortable when travelling. Most dogs travel better if they don’t rattle around too much, are well ventilated but free from draughts and when the travelling compartment is not too noisy.
Try travelling your dog in different areas of the vehicle; some prefer to be on a front or back seat or in the passenger footwell, others are happy loose in the boot behind a dog guard while many feel more secure in a travelling cage or crate. Some dogs prefer to be covered up so they can’t see the outside moving while others prefer to be able to look around.

Travel Safely
No matter where your dogs are happiest travelling it is essential to keep them and you safe. In a crash situation a 30kg dog becomes a lethal missile many times this weight and I have treated dogs who have jumped out of moving car windows! The best options include specially designed travel boxes, fixed metal dog guards and harnesses which can be attached to seat belts.

Drive considerately
Even the most well travelled dog can be upset by erratic driving, fast turns and sharp braking. Try to keep everything smooth when transporting dogs.

The Travel Fear Dog
Change the association from fear to fun; feed your dog in the stationary vehicle and play with him there too. Once he is happy, repeat the exercises with the engine on before building up to short journeys. Consider using one of the many supportive products available including a pheromone collar (Adaptil), herbal calming tablets (Skullcap and Valerian, Dorwest Herbs) or the calming food supplement Zylkene during the training process.

The Travel Sick Dog
If the motion of the vehicle makes your dog sick try travelling him in different places (as above). Practice short journeys, ensuring your dog hasn’t eaten within a couple of hours, and build up as his tolerance increases. Ginger is an excellent herb for travel nausea (try KarmaDawg biscuits which contain ginger and chamomile from Dawgs Biscuits http://www.dog-treat.co.uk) but for a single long journey you could ask your vet to prescribe Cerenia. This drug is excellent but a high dose is need for travel sickness which makes it too expensive for everyday use.

Older Dogs
Most travel problems involve puppies and young dogs but older dogs can develop issues as they become less mobile and less able to balance during journeys. Ramps can help an older gundog enter and leave the vehicle and beanbags provide support in a moving vehicle.

Safety and security
Avoid leaving dogs in vehicles if at all possible. If you must then ensure the dogs have water, ventilation and that the vehicle won’t end up in the sun; even winter sun can turn a vehicle into an oven. Dog theft remains all too common so ensure your dogs are locked in and use microchips and tattoos for identification.