Help my Carsick Pup!

[TerpsFan]

My 9 month old beagle/basset mix has developed carsickness. We rescued him about 2.5 months ago. At the beginning he showed no signs of being ill when riding around in the car, but over the past month or so every time he's in the car he's excessively drooling and then yesterday on the way to the park he finally vomited. We are not taking very long trips (about 5-10 mins) and always going somewhere fun like the river or park. He's strapped in to a doggie seatbelt and I have the windows open for fresh air. He usually hasn't eaten in several hours so has a relatively empty stomach. Is this just a phase? Is the summertime not helping it? How can I help him get through this?? Help my poor pup!

[Lilla]

I have the same problem with one of my dogs. I find that the best thing is not to feed him beforehand if I know he'll be going in the car somewhere. If he has a groomer or vet appt, I just won't feed him that morning. He'll still do a bit of drooling, but it does seem to help to have his stomach completely empty (in addition to having the windows open for fresh air, etc). For longer car trips (over an hour), I give him a half a tablet of Dramamine as a reco from my vet. He does great with that. But he's 90 pounds, so I don't know if you'd have to give a smaller dosage to your dog assuming that he's a bit smaller.

HTH!

[TerpsFan]

Lilla - thanks for the response. I will call my vet to see if he's got any tips. I feel so bad for him! When we brought him back from his foster parents (about 2.5 hours away) there was no drooling at all...now he's like a faucet! And then yesterday as we were closing in in the park, I heard that awful heaving. He looked so pitiful. I don't want to stop our trips to the park but he doesn't want to get in the car anymore.

[jesvet]

There are definitely meds your vet can recommend, depending on weight. Give her a call- poor pup!

[jesvet]

There are definitely meds your vet can recommend, depending on weight. Give her a call- poor pup!

[TerpsFan]

Just wanted to post an update since I called my vet:

He said to give 50mL of Benadryl 1 hour prior to the car ride. I'll come back and post how things work out after I try in case anyone else has this problem. FYI, my dog is 30lbs.

Thanks!

[jesvet]

50 mg, not 50 ml, right? (just so anyone reading along doesn't get the wrong idea) :D

[TerpsFan]

Ha ha..i guess you're right! I am just repeating what the receptionist told me but I didn't really think about it...I guess the heat is getting to us all!! :p