Dog vomiting on car journeys - any tips?

[VivaLeBeaver]

He's 7 months and I've read that dogs do tend to grow out of it. However he's pretty much fully grown so not sure he will grow out of it.

I drive really slowly, no more than 50-55mph, really slow round bends, roundabouts, etc. Don't give him breakfast before a long car journey. We've tried him in the front and in the back and he's still really bad.

Went out at the weekend and the kids were covered in vomit by the time we got there - had to stop 3x to mop up and change towels and it was a 45 min journey.

Going on a 3 hour journey next month - is it worth seeing if the vet can presribe anything?

[ChoudeBruxelles]

Go to the vet and get some anti sickness tablets

[VivaLeBeaver]

Do they work?

My carpet fitter has just told me he uses human car sickness tablets for his dogs, half a tablet per dog. Think I'd rather get some from the vet.

[pinguwings]

Lots of very short journeys, gradually getting longer helped for our girl. We used to only ever manage 5 minutes but now she can manage a 45 minute journey 95% of the time.

Oh and half a ginger biscuit before a journey, but I think that's more psychological for me!

[VivaLeBeaver]

Pingu, Short journeys is a good idea. He's beginning to hate going in the car so I think he associates it with being sick. Will try it, thanks.

[SillyTilly123]

My Tilly got car sickness so i stopped taking her out in it for a few weeks (so she "forgot" how she felt in it) then started only taking her round the local park in the car (less than 5 mins-people will of been thinking "lazy cow" lol) This way she is learning to associate the car with good things (ie walk) Then about 3 weeks later started going slightly further, or just taking the long way round. I'm up to about 15 minutes so far (lol) Luckily there's a few places locally within the 15 minutes drive so i have a few choices on where to go. Need to find a few new places about 25 mins away i can try her with. Its slow going but well worth it.

[Booboostoo]

Unfortunately 45 minutes is too long a journey for a dog that is feeling sick, you need to try to do much shorter journeys.

When you say you have tried him in the front do you mean on the seat? Some dogs are a lot better on the seat than on the floor of the car (with an appropriate dog seatbelt of course).

Do speak to your vet about anti-sickness tablets, there are medications that can help.

How is it going with the muzzle? Have you found a behaviourist?

[VivaLeBeaver]

Yes, on the front seat.

Weill do some short journeys with him and build the distance up.

Have been to the vet today for a referral for the behaviourist, cost £42 for a referral! She said she can prescribe anti-sickness stuff but I haven't got any yet as can't afford it.

Behaviourist is going to be £135 plus VAT.

Muzzle is in the post but he's been good as gold today and yesterday.

[AtYourCervix]

BigFog used to get carsick. He did grow out of it but has always hated the car so have only done short trips with him.

We tried ice cubes which sort of worked. I froze water in yogurt pots and he licked them. Took his mind off the sick feeling i think. Also he used to drool madly and the ice helped with that.

[Booboostoo]

Those are exorbitant costs. Why is the vet charging so much for a simple referral???? The behaviourist cost sounds insane as well.

I had a lady out to help me with my young dog and paid 40 euros with free back up over phone/e-mail afterwards. I also spoke to my old trainer who is also an acredited behaviourist and she charges 15 pounds for 30 minutes (also includes free phone/e-mails to check on progress afterwards).

[VivaLeBeaver]

I'm annoyed with the vet. They normally charge £25 an appt and I assumed it would be this plus £8 for kennel cough vaccine.

But I was charged for a "behavioural consultation" even though I was given no advice about behaviour, simple health check and yes she has a single side of A4 to fill out saying Yes or No to about 10 health questions.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Oh and the behaviourist is the only one in about a 40 mile radius with any qualifications. All others are just normal dog trainers and probably not very good ones at that.