Car Sickness!!!!

J

Jodies9154

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Hi guys,

Yesterday picked up my rescue 10 month old Jack russell, Buster! He is absolutely gorgeous and brilliant in every way.
His previous owners didn't have a car and therefore he isn't used to travelling in one. On the way home the journey was about 50mins and he was sick twice.

Today we went for a 15 minute drive and he was sick a lot, he hadn't eaten breakfast but had been drinking so his sick was just fluid. He looked really upset that he was sick but then couldn't stop. Once out of car, absolutely fine.

I read on a dog trainers page that some dogs are sick in the car due to being stressed and worried in the car as opposed to motion sickness and once used to it, it will stop. Only time will tell whether he is truely car sick, I do get it so I know how he feels

But does anyone have any experience of this or have any tips how to prevent them being sick in the car???

He has been sitiing on the car seat on a blanket which a harness attaching him to the seat so that he doesn't go flying!
Does anyone know whether being in a small crate would help him feel more secure???

Any help welcomed, thanks
 
First of all it is really early days, so don't panic!

If it is stress related, perhaps try feeding him in the car to show him that it is a really good place to be.
15 minutes is pushing it a bit, so try regulating the short journeys to five, then up to ten and so on.
A crate might also help, in the beginning I would even cover it with a towel or sheet to make him feel more secure.

I think there are some supplements or rescue remedies which may also help, others may be able to advice.
 
Ditto CC, you need to now assosiate his journeys and the car in general with a positive place to be, I would go with the crate option, this way u can park up on the drive (so motionless) which u will need to do with everything food based as if u feed when in motion, he will puke
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, so for instance, leave car stationary with boot open and him safely in the crate and give him a piggy ear or long lasting treat, something he would normally never get, then simply remove him from the car, other times take him for a long walk tire him out then place him in the boot in crate, and obs keep an eye on him and jsut let him sleep in there, and when u go to the yard, do the same, take him for a little run and play then put him in the crate and leave the boot open so he can see what is going on, this way he assosiates the car with going places and going for walks, and u can do it gradually.
Do little ten minute journeys and let him get out and play and have fun then back in again, where he will have burnt a little energy and may be more inclined to sleep.

Polo mints and ginger are very good anti sickness and there is a new med u can get from your vets called Serenia for travel sickness/stress.
Try also using the crate in the house, so that hehas his familiar safe place(crate) when travelling.
 
Thanks guys, I think I will work this week on getting him to spend a lot of happy time just sitting in the motionless car and then like you guys are saying tire him out a but and do a few short journeys!!!

In two years I will hopefully be practicing as an equine vet....car sick dog not good, I really hope he does overcome, the poor little man, felt so sorry for him, he was really really sick! I think he did look a little worried after so a bit scared of the car....On Sunday have to drive from Hants to Herts about hour and half drive think i will get him some antisickness from vets for that journey or he really will feel awful and huge walk before hand!

The poor little chap is also losing his special pearls on thur...a very eventful week...but has settled into the house so well!!! He is a little gem
 
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