Long car ride with car-sick prone dog

[Bailey.]

My Husky/Rottie (Burt) has always upchucked whatever was in his stomach on car rides, sometimes even what appeared to be bile. It happens just a couple miles out of leaving, he pants, looks aggravated, and is fine after emptying his stomach for the rest of the ride (longest ride we've taken was about 2 hours). For the last six months or so we just have waited until after the ride to feed him.

My husband and I are taking our dogs with us to Connecticut to visit my family, which is nearly 1,000 miles from where we live. The trip will be made over the span of 18-20 hours - stopping at a hotel for a few hours to get some sleep. We're on a tight time schedule so we can't stay longer.

What kind of feeding regimen should I work out for Burt? They normally eat twice a day... should I give him one small meal at the hotel? Is there a certain food that will be easy on his stomach? I am a little clueless on how to work it out, so any info would be appreciated.

 

[bubbatd]

Wish I could help , but I've never had that problem . Gut feeling would be to go to one meal ,,,, at least 6 hours before the trip and when you get to the motel . I'd limit the water too .

 

[AGonzalez]

I'd try to limit the eating to 6-8 hours before the trip, limit the water as well. Not sure how much else help I could be, Lacey always barfs in my car.

 

[elegy]

talk to your vet and see if they carry cerenia. it's marketed specifically for carsickness in dogs, and every client we've given it to has had good things to say about it.

 

[noludoru]

If they don't have it, call them and ask how much pepcid you should give.

 

[Bailey.]

Thank you.. I will ask about the Cerenia. 6-8 hours before the trip sounds about right - may give him a couple handfuls at the hotel and hope he digests it before the rest of the trip. If it doesn't work on the way up we can try something different on the way down. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything detrimental by limiting food for that time.. I'm so used to my chinchillas who's system starts to 'shut down' after about 12 hours of not eating.

 

[bubbatd]

I'd do short trial runs too . Do you kennel or give freedom to an open window .?

 

[OutlineACDs]

Dramamine can be bought over the counter. Ask your vet how much you can give.

If you'd like to go a more natural route, some people say that ginger helps with motion sickness.

Try crating where the dog can't see out the window. Some dogs are better this way, some are better when they can see out.

You could try rescue remedy. It can be bought at most healthfood stores.

 

[Barb04]

When we moved from CT to TN, we traveled with 4 dogs & 2 cats. We made sure they ate long before leaving the house and didn't feed them on the trip. We gave them water when we made potty stops. At the hotel/motel, we gave them some food right away so they had time to digest it before leaving again.

 

[FoxyWench]

i would also suggest giving him acess to a foward facing window that can be opend for fresh air.

many car sick dogs do much better when they can see where there going (just like people)

 

[chicklette]

Both Rocky and Jack are car sick and we go to a specialist (optometrist) and it takes three hours there and three hours back. You can give them a gravel. They will even most likely sleep from that as well, it makes you tired. However, talk to your vet about this first. I don’t want you medicating if you vet does not advise this but mine said it was okay.

It’s hard with both dogs vomiting. Good luck with your trip, I really do hope your puppies will be okay. They should be. Just take lots of towels, lol.

 

[Bailey.]

So we are 189 miles into the trip and just cleaned up vomit #3

My vet didn't have medication on hand and could not order it in time. Was so busy getting ready I did forget about it... I feel horrible.

Anyway, my vet told me correct dosage for bonine and dramamine so I'm going to have to go that route.

 

[Barb04]

Hope you made it through without too many more cleanups. So sorry.

 

[bubbatd]

When I was little our Irish Setter rode in the back seat with me . Everytime he threw up , I did too !

 

[Bailey.]

Just an update

We had puke #4 a little after - a very tiny amount, but like the rest it was all bile. After the Dramamine he seemed to feel a lot better and actually slept versus sitting up and panting. He seemed rather alert during pit stops so I don't think it sedated him too much.

Fed them tonight a little while ago. We head back at 10am tomorrow and I will give the meds before we leave. bubbatd - I cannot imagine! Luckily there was no sound or smell - I just looked back and noticed it every time.