two questions: carpet in crate/dramamine

[elektrasmom]

Hi everyone,
I have two questions for all of you experienced puppy parents. Elektra is our 3 month old Lab mix puppy.

First, she has been having big issues with motion sickness. I know that we need to gradually introduce her to the car by taking short trips and building them up to longer ones, but we need to take her on a 45 minute car ride tomorrow night. I called the vet and they told me to give her the baby dosage of liquid Dramamine. However, I cannot find the liquid version anywhere. Can I give her a pill? She is about 19 lbs, if that helps.

Second, we have been crating her when we need to and at night. When she is not in her crate and out and about, she absolutely loves the carpet in our house. Well, we decided that since we had a remnant piece and since her crate was bare except for a flannel pillowcase that I sewed shut (she cuddles it), we would put the remant in her crate to make her more comfortable. It is tight weave carpet and my husband burned the edges to prevent stray threads. She did OK the first time, but the next day she made it a game and pulled out the strings while we were not home. My question is: do you have something down in the crate or do you leave it as is?

thanks!

 

[Spiritus]

As long as it's a children's pill/dosage, then yes, but at 19 pounds, I would only give her 1/2. Dramamine will make her sleepy, though.

Personally, I have never medicated a motion sick dog. Drive carefully, ease into stops and turns, and have stuff with you to clean up with.

As for bedding in the crate? Puppies get bedding until they shred it. Once they shred it, they no longer get bedding until they grow up. Some never do, others do it often.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

I've never dealt with motion sickness.

My girl got a bed in her crate, started to eat it at 6 months, felt bad kept trying to give it back when I decided enough at about 9 months. At about a year and a half I gave her a towel to lie on.. Few months later it was shredding time again, and I gave up until after she turned two. Haven't had a problem since she got a bed back.

I should have just not pushed it and left her crate bedless from 6 months to 2 years with her.

 

[girlbuffalo1]

We bought Wrigley a bed at around 4 months and he tore it up in no time. At around 8 months he finally could be trustworth of having a folded up towel in there (so fro 4-8 mo had nothing in there) and now at 14 mo I think he may finally tolerate a bed so I am thinking of getting one.