Whatever ideas I had about taking my dog, Annie, with me to the mountains for hikes, drives, and the general killing of time have pretty much bitten the dust.
I took her with me up to Boulder the other day to visit my brother at his mountain home and it would not be an exaggeration to say the trip was a disaster for her. Sixty pounds of golden/lab mix — carsick. All the way up and all the way back, 45 minutes each way. Poor dog must have been absolutely miserable.
I was aware of the problem and had put one of those waterproof hammock-style covers in the back seat to protect my leather upholstery from her nails and … er … little messes. But on this day, despite a minimal breakfast, her problems were not little. She drooled and hurled enough to create actual pools of liquid, and on the trip home managed to pull the cover out of position and dump the puddles directly into the seats. (Sorry to be so graphic.)
She endured it all quietly, without complaint. No whimpering or trying to crawl into the front seat with me. But by the time we got home she was soaked, her leash was soaked, and the car seats were soaked.
I had tried open windows and fresh air, closed windows and cool air. Neither appeared to help. The smooth, straight expressway had a couple of frost heaves that severely tested my car’s suspension and the mountain road had enough switchbacks and S-curves to test any driver’s alertness. Unfortunately, it was the route I’d most likely travel on any trip to the mountains.
Unless someone knows a foolproof cure for canine carsickness, I’ll probably be leaving Annie home in her kennel from now on and traveling alone.
Awww poor Annie. I know nothing about dogs I’m afraid. Maybe the vet could help?
I plan to ask about it next time I’m at the vet’s. I sure don’t plan to subject both of us to another day like that.
Hi, PiedType. I followed you over here from Annie’s. The other Annie. 🙂
I was nosing around and came across this post about the poor carsick puppy. This same thing happened to the dog of a friend of mine. Her name is Sophie. The dog, I mean. The friend’s name is Joan, not that that’s important. Sophie does the exact same thing you describe. The drooling. The hurling. The general miserableness. Sophie’s doctor didn’t have any ideas, so if Annie’s doctor comes up with one and you don’t mind sharing, I’d sure love to pass it on.
Annie looks like a very sweet dog. And she sure is beautiful. Sorry she was feeling so sick.
I’ll pass along anything I learn. I know one thing I’ve read is to give the dog Benadryl. My vet has already approved it for Annie’s allegies (1 human tablet several times a day as needed if she starts scratching too much), but I don’t see it as a direct cure for carsickness. It would probably just reduce the drooling and make her a bit sleepy.
A belated postscript: I talked to my vet yesterday and he said Dramamine, the human carsickness med, is safe for dogs and I can give it to Annie. One 50 mg tablet an hour or so before getting into the car. I noticed there are several different Dramamine formulas on the market now; I was careful to buy the “original” formula (that contains an antiemetic) in the 50 mg size. He also suggested that since she now probably associates car rides with being sick, I should plan a series of short trips to fun places.