Hi. My dog always vomits everytime we are on a ...

Dog / Mix - Answered 1221 days ago

Hi. My dog always vomits everytime we are on a trip. I just want to ask what meds can be given to him? Is meclizine good or is Metoclopramide better? Thanks.

Irish Enriquez

Coco

Mix, 1 year old male

10 Answers

Motion sickness in dogs is a common problem. Motion or car sickness is more common in younger dogs than adults. The reason may be due to the fact that the parts of the inner ear involved in balance are not fully developed. Puppies will often “outgrow” motion sickness by the time they are about 1 year old. Withhold food 12 hours before travel. An empty stomach will help reduce nausea and the need for frequent potty breaks that are often unwelcome, especially during long car rides or airplane or train travel. Be sure to provide access to fresh water whenever possible. Water bottles that hang on the carrier’s door are a good option for many pets. Use a carrier or dog safety harness. Anxious dogs can both hurt themselves and cause accidents. A carrier is often viewed as a “safe place” for many dogs. Keep the car cool and quiet. Play soft classical music and keep the temperature cool. Include the sweet smell of home. Add a t-shirt or blanket with your scent to your dog’s carrier. In addition to smelling like home, nothing is cozier than mom or dad’s shirt. Offer special trip toys. Giving your dog new toys that he only gets to play with when he travels can help him associate travel with fun. Lavender or dog pheromone (Adaptil®). Aromatherapy and pheromones can calm a tense traveler. Add these scents to your dog’s bedding to help calm his fears. Calming herbs. Natural remedies, including Bach® flower (Rescue Remedy®), kava, valerian, passionflower, ginger, and skullcap, have been used for decades to ease anxiety and motion sickness. Anti-nausea medications. Cerenia® (a veterinary-specific prescription medication) and dimenhydrinate (brand names: Dramamine® or Gravol®), and meclizine (brand names: Antivert® and Bonine®). These anti-nausea medications can prevent vomiting in a stressed pet. A single dose of Cerenia® lasts 24 hours. Keep in mind that these drugs only help with motion sickness, not anxiety. Speak to veterinarian to discuss if these medications are appropriate for your dog and to obtain the correct dosages and frequency of administration. Anti-anxiety medication. These medications may be considered for use in extremely stressed pets only. Alprazolam (Xanax®), trazodone (Desyrel®) or other prescription medications given the night before travel and repeated 12 hours later can relax even the most anxious pet traveler. Many veterinarians will recommend you give a second dose about 2 hours before you embark on your trip. Keep in mind that some prescription medications need to be started several days to a couple of weeks before travel to be most effective. Always follow instructions from your veterinarian carefully.

Answered 1221 days ago icon0

For many dogs, going on an outing in the family car is an enjoyable adventure. However, for dogs that experience motion sickness, car rides are anything but enjoyable, no matter how fun the destination may be. What Causes Dog Car Sickness and Motion Sickness? Motion sickness in dogs can result from conflicting sensory signals that are sent to the emetic (vomiting) center in the brain. In other words, the signals from the vestibular system in the inner ear (which is involved in balance) conflict with signals from the eyes, possibly leading to nausea and vomiting, similar to motion sickness in people. Many receptors are involved in this process, including: Chemoreceptor trigger zone (CRTZ) Histamine Neurokinin 1 substance P (NK1) receptors Fear, anxiety, or a previous traumatic experience in a vehicle may also trigger motion sickness in dogs. Dog motion sickness can occur during travel in any type of vehicle. Puppies seem to be more susceptible than adult dogs because the parts of the inner ear that are involved in balance are not yet fully developed in puppies. The good news is that motion sickness in puppies often improves and resolves with age. Signs of Dog Motion Sickness There are many potential signs of dog car sickness to watch for, including: Excessive lip licking Whining Drooling Yawning Vomiting Excessive panting Trembling/shaking Are There Natural Remedies for Dog Motion Sickness? There have been many natural remedies suggested for dogs that experience motion sickness. Ginger There is anecdotal evidence that ginger helps treat nausea and vomiting in dogs. Consult your veterinarian before trying it, though, as it should not be given to dogs with known bleeding disorders or in dogs that are taking anticoagulants or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Adaptil Adaptil is a calming pheromone product for dogs that comes in a spray or collar. The collar can be used daily for calming effects, while the spray is intended to be used 15-20 minutes prior to travel or any other stressful event. Spray the inside of your vehicle or the travel kennel that your dog will be riding in prior to loading your dog. Calming Supplements There are several supplements that are designed to calm dogs when given orally, including: Solliquin Composure Rescue Remedy Some may need to be given daily for several days to weeks for maximum benefit. There are few negative side effects associated with these products, so they are safe options for most dogs. Lavender Lavender is also a safe aromatherapy option that you can use in a spray form. You can also saturate a cotton ball with lavender essential oil and place it in your vehicle a few minutes before leaving the house. Just be sure to either throw the cotton ball away after your trip and to put it in an area where your dog cannot get to it and ingest it before or during the trip. CBD Supplements One other product you might consider trying for dog motion sickness is CBD (cannabidiol). CBD has become more widely available and comes in many forms, including chews, treats, and oil. Regulations concerning CBD vary widely, and the quality of the CBD in products is not always guaranteed. If you are interested in trying CBD for motion sickness in your dog, contact your veterinarian to discuss reliable options. Is There Medicine for Motion Sickness in Dogs? There are a few pharmaceutical options for preventing motion sickness in dogs. Cerenia Cerenia (maropitant) is the only FDA-approved prescription medication for vomiting due to motion sickness in dogs. It blocks the NK1 receptors in the brainstem vomiting center, which is the location most responsible for the nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness. Dogs should be at least 8 weeks old to receive Cerenia, and it is given once daily. It is highly effective—in a study of dogs, only 7% vomited during a one-hour car ride after being treated with Cerenia. Meclizine Meclizine is an antihistamine with sedative and anti-vomiting effects that’s available over the counter and by prescription. The most common side effect is drowsiness. It is given once daily. Benadryl and Dramamine Two over-the-counter options that may be used for motion sickness in dogs are Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Dramamine (dimenhydrinate). Both products are antihistamines that can be given every 8 hours and may have sedative effects. Dramamine may be better tolerated given with a small amount of food. Benadryl can have potential gastrointestinal effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. If using Benadryl, be careful not to get combination products that may be used for colds in people—the product should only include Benadryl (diphenhydramine) as the active ingredient. Anti-Anxiety Medication If your dog suffers from anxiety in the car that results in motion sickness, an anti-anxiety medication may be needed, along with behavioral modification. For any medications you would like to use for motion sickness in your dog, your veterinarian can provide guidance on safety and what will work best in your four-legged family member. How to Prevent Car Sickness in Dogs Here are a few different things you can do to help minimize your dog’s car sickness while traveling. Use Car Safety Restraints Whether your dog suffers from car sickness or not, it is always a good idea to use a dog car seat, a dog harness with the seat belt, or a travel crate. Such products will help minimize sudden movements or a change in position that may trigger nausea. Allow Your Dog to See Out the Window It is also helpful if your dog can see out the window to help their eyes and vestibular system coordinate what is happening during travel. If possible, cracking the windows just a little may help equalize pressure and minimize negative effects on your dog’s vestibular system. Avoid Feeding Your Dog Right Before Traveling Don’t feed your dog a large meal right before travel, and try to take breaks on long trips, which is helpful for human and canine passengers. Work on Conditioning Your Dog to Car Rides Whether you bring your dog home as a puppy or adopt an older friend, take the time to acclimate them to car rides. For fearful dogs, this may mean a long process of desensitization and counterconditioning to help your dog overcome fear and anxiety associated with car rides. Start by just sitting in the car with your dog for a few minutes and not driving anywhere. When your dog is successful with that, try going for a ride of less than 5 minutes, and gradually extend the length of the trip as your dog becomes used to the idea of car rides being safe and even fun. As more families travel with their dogs, keeping everyone safe and comfortable has become more important. With a little time and patience, road trips can be another way to keep the whole family connected and to expand your dog’s horizons

Answered 1228 days ago icon1

It's motion sickness and the best you can do to avoid it or lessen this problem is give promethazine an hour or so before you start the travel and give light food a day before travel ,keep pet hydrated , and give short frequent breaks during trip to the dog .

Answered 1275 days ago icon0

Dogs, just like humans, can suffer from motion sickness during car rides or other types of travel. A dog can get carsick even during short trips in the car. You can administer any of the following drugs; Anti-nausea drugs. Antihistamines, which can lessen dog motion sickness, reduce drooling, and offer sedation. Prescription drugs, which reduce vomiting and provide sedation.

Answered 1283 days ago icon7

I've had this exact case before in our clinic, it's quite normal that dogs vomit when they are on a trip due to stress and anxiety. I believe Metoclopramide is a better medecine to administer. Thanks.

Answered 1283 days ago icon8

Dogs might not easily get used to car rides and often associate the car ride with the stressful experience that follows. This causes heightened anxiety and stress, and may result in vomiting and diarrhea. But you could always have that under control. I believe Meclizine is just good for your dog. Best regards

Answered 1283 days ago icon9

Hi Irish! I see that you want your furry friend not to be sick. You can use both liquid and caplets of Pepto-bismol. I recommend to give him the caplets ones, because it more easier to get down. It needs his weight information for the exact dosage. If you have any further questions, please let me know.

Answered 1302 days ago icon0

Yess ur dog suuffer from motion sickness just like human ... Meclizine or cyclizine Or any antiemetic in emergency condition

Answered 1307 days ago icon0

Hey buddy Yes meclizine or cyclizine is good which act better to check vomit center during traveling. Give medicine before one hour of starting traveling . Thanks and regards Dr.pranaw Sinha

Answered 1307 days ago icon0

Hii Irish , 'Coco' showing motion sickness where neither meclizine nor Metoclopramide is given , use of cyclizine and promethazine are choose of drug . Thanks

Answered 1309 days ago icon1