Puking Pup? - Motion Sickness in Pets

Bridget Riding Shotgun. Carsick Free!

As it heats up around the south and school lets out, chances are you will be headed outside and on the road with your pet! However, if your pet gets car sick, that can seriously put a damper on summer vacations. Motion sickness is also one of the reasons some pets don’t make it to the vet as often as they should. Simply put, owners just do not want to clean that up. So, here is a bit of information to help reduce the stress and actual vomiting involved in your pet’s carsickness.

Motion sickness is usually noticed in pets once they actually vomit in the car. Naturally, that will bring about a response from most owners. Often, the early signs of carsickness can be missed. They are similar to signs of nausea for any reason and include drooling, panting, licking of the lips and even yawning. If you notice you pet with any of these signs after a short car ride, chances are these symptoms could progress and lead to vomiting on a longer road trip.

Many pets often have anxiety associated with car rides. This can lead to nausea and vomiting as well. With cats, the anxiety is usually triggered as soon as the carrier comes out. Getting your cat used to the carrier is very helpful when it comes to car rides. We recommend leaving the carrier out in a well-used room, like the living room or kitchen, so your cat can explore it without any risk of being locked in and taken to the scary vet’s office. You can make your cat even more comfortable by occasionally putting a treat or two in the carrier as a surprise reward.

If your pet has some anxiety associated with a car ride, there are a few things you can do to make it easier on them. Start off with simply bringing your pet near and/or in the car without going anywhere. They can then get used to the smell and presence of the vehicle. Next up, progress to short car rides either around the block or down the street to the pick up the kids from school. Once you return, reward your pet for surviving with a treat or two.  After you master the car ride, make sure your pet is comfortable during the car ride. Remember, if you are hot while driving your car, your furry friend definitely is!

The above suggestions can make major strides in correcting motion sickness in pets. Sometimes, however, they are just not enough. There are several different medications that can be used for motion sickness. Cerenia is an antiemetic that is used often to treat and prevent motion sickness. If your pet’s carsickness is more anxiety driven, anti-anxiety medications should be considered. There are a multitude of options that are readily available. Please let us know next time you are in the office with your pet, and we can discuss which medication is most appropriate for your situation.

Now after educating yourself, I hope you can take that lake or beach trip this summer with Fido in tow, and no messes to clean up. If you have any questions, please comment below or give our office a call! 

Thunderstorms!

With the recent storms we have had in Middle Tennessee the last few weeks, I thought I would do a quick post about thunderstorm anxiety in dogs. This is a common fear in dogs (and rarely cats). It is very important to understand and manage your pet’s thunderstorm fear. All too often, pets can get frightened and panic and end up running away or hurting themselves or your home. Dogs can sense the barometric pressure changing before a storm rolls in and can develop anxiety before the storm can be heard.

The first thing to do with all pets, and especially pets prone to panicking and bolting away from their home, is ensure they have proper identification. ID tags on the collar AND a microchip are very important in case your pet gets lost. All too often people report found dogs that have lost their collar and therefore their only identification. With a microchip, most shelters and veterinary clinics have a scanner that can identify the ID number and then get the owner’s contact information associated with that number. This is an invaluable resource, and I strongly believe all dogs, whether inside or out, should be micro-chipped.

Ok, so your pet has proper identification. Now what? First off, provide your dog with a “safe place.” Inside, that is typically a kennel or a bed in a corner. For an outside dog, a doghouse or pen that is covered (to limit their visual stimulation from the lightening) is ideal. When storms are coming, make sure your dog knows where their safe place is and take them there. If possible, stay with your dog and try to distract them with petting, brushing or playing. Dogs can sense your anxiety or nervousness, so make sure you stay calm as well!

If your dog becomes destructive when anxious, then a crate is your best bet. That really limits the trouble your pup can get into while stressed during the storms. If you are not crating your dog, keep all doors closed and draw the curtains on all the windows. Turning on the TV or music can help distract your dog from the thunder. Unfortunately, some dogs may urinate (or defecate) when extremely anxious and nervous. This is a normal response to fear, and your dog should not be punished for this behavior.

If you have followed these guidelines and tried to modify the environment to help your dog, and they still have extreme anxiety during storms, you may need to take additional measures. I hear nothing but good things about “Thunder Shirts” and other similar items. The concept behind these is to put a mild amount of pressure around your dog. This gentle pressure helps to calm the dog during times of anxiety. See their website for more information (I am in no way being paid to promote this product, FYI, I just think it works most of the time). Another option is to see a behaviorist and work on reconditioning. This can be time consuming but can be very beneficial for the dog. Many pet owners have found great success with behavior modification.

A final option is medication to help with thunderstorm anxiety. The most common medication used in dogs is typically diazepam (Valium). This medication can help with your dog’s thunderstorm anxiety and typically has minimal side effects. Medications should only be used as a last resort for your pet. If you think your pet has severe thunderstorm anxiety, please give us a call, and we can discuss an appropriate plan for your pet.

Thanks and Happy Thursday!

- H