Motion Sickness in Dogs
My-Dog.info > Traveling With Your Dog
Carsickness is a common problem in dogs. The successful
resolution of carsickness often requires a combination of changes
in travel management and administration of a prescribed
medication. Each patient is unique, and the primary care
veterinarian is the best individual to ascertain which of the
possible strategies will be optimal for your pet. There could be
underlying medical conditions that would affect the choice of
medication, for example.
Why do dogs get sick?
Carsickness is a type of motion sickness. Receptors in the ear
called the vestibular apparatus help an animal process position
and movements. These movement signals are relayed by the 8th
cranial nerve to the brain, including the CRTZ (chemoreceptor
trigger zone). The CRTZ is one of the zones in the brain that
controls the vomiting reflex by input of signals to the lateral
reticular formation vomiting centre. The dog will experience
motion sickness if the signals coming in are excessive. Signs of
motion or carsickness include drooling (salivation), and
vomiting.
Management
1. Take very short trips. Start with just sitting in the car,
then the local convenience store, and only gradually increase the
length of the car trip as the dog builds tolerance.
2. Allow the pet to see outside the vehicle. This is known to
help the vestibular apparatus maintain stabilizing output to
reduce vertigo.
3. Provide lots of room to get up and move around.
4. Keep the vehicle cool and well ventilated.
5. Provide short "walkie" breaks every 1-2 hours so
that the dog has an opportunity to experience absence of car
motion regularly.
Medication
1. Phenothiazine antiemetics: These medications are effective
at doses that do not sedate the dog. These are prescription
medications. The attending veterinarian will assess the general
health of the dog including the cardiovascular and liver(hepatic)
systems before prescribing it.
2. Antihistamines. These medications are prescribed for
antiemetic purposes primarily for motion sickness. The
appropriate dosage should be provided by your veterinarian.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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