Question:
I adopted a sweet and lovable female dog last October. She is about 2 years old and weighs 22 pounds. She is a great companion and loves her walks. She is a Jack Russell terrier/beagle mix.However, when we take her out for a ride in the car, she gets sick. Our vet told us to give her half of a Dramamine pill before we start out, but it doesn't help. When we took her to my son's this week, about 40 miles from us, she threw up three times going and twice coming home. We didn't give her anything to eat -- all she had was some water.Is there something else we can do for her? I hate to see her feeling so miserable. We were hoping to take her on trips with us this summer but, as things are, we will be unable to do so. I hate leaving her alone at home. I am very disappointed about this, so any advice you can give will be appreciated.
C.S., Stratford, CT Sep 11, 2005
Answer:
Dramamine is the only medication, to my knowledge, that helps with motion sickness. I would combine it next time with Xanax or Valium (which your veterinarian can prescribe), to be given about 40 minutes before going on a very short ride. Homeopathic treatments that may help include petroleum, tabacum, borax, aconitum and cocculus. One herbal treatment is to give ginger tea a half-hour before the ride, steeping two or three slices of ginger root in two tablespoonfuls of boiling water. (Alternatively, try this with peppermint herbal tea.) Give via a dropper or syringe when cool. Giving one vitamin B complex pill may also help reduce nausea.Desensitizing behavior modification entails putting the dog in the car with no meds and turning the radio on. Offer the dog treats to make being in the car a pleasant experience. Repeat this four or five times, then all over again with the engine running, with each "session" lasting about 10 minutes. Next, go for a slow, daily 10-minute ride for four or five days and see ho
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