Motion Sickness:-
Motion Sickness is not something that is only seen in animals. It is a common phenomenon observed even in human beings. You might have observed on your long distance travel in a bus, a flight or, even a train, you encounter a vomiting sensation. There are also instances when you have just come from a long journey and you still experience as if you are moving. At times you feel like vomiting and it seems as if the earth is revolving around you. These are all symptoms of this sickness.
Motion sickness in dogs:-
An otherwise relaxing and cool vacation drive could turn into a nightmare if your pet suffers from motion sickness, though it is not a common phenomenon. It is more often seen in dogs that are not used to travelling long distances, but canines that are in a habit of travelling are free from this disease.
Causes:-
It is caused by the stimulation of the vestibular apparatus that is located within the inner ear. This vestibular apparatus helps the dog process position and movements. A dog suffers from motion sickness when the signals that are sent to the ‘lateral-reticular-formation-vomiting-center’ by the ‘chemoreceptor-trigger-zone’ in the brain are more than the normal signals. This triggers the vomiting sensation which is one of the main symptoms of this disease in dogs.
Remedies to prevent the sickness:-
The most common symptoms of motion sickness in dogs is drooling (salivation) and vomiting. Pets would also suffer from severe diarrhea and would feel nauseated. There are other symptoms as well. Dogs would show an imbalance and would also show restlessness. The remedy for this sickness is a combination of proper administration and medication.
The best way to prevent this is by conditioning the dog to get used to frequent and long distance travels. You can start with short trips to your nearest grocery store or, to the local convenience store and gradually increase the distance of travel. During the course of travelling, make sure that the pet is allowed to see outside the vehicle and has enough room to move around in the vehicle. Also ensure that there is proper ventilation and that the temperature of the car is well maintained. Taking short breaks every 1-2 hours can also help reduce or, negate the effect of travel sickness in dogs.
Treatment:-
Dogs suffering from motion-sickness can be a traumatic experience to see. There is often a sense of panic that is developed in the owner of the pet. But the best way to treat such problems is to maintain calm. There are quite a few medications available even without prescription but I do not personally recommend them. The easiest way to cure, if the dog has not vomited is to put the pet to sleep for some time. Some doctors prescribe mild sedatives so that the pet sleeps. You may want to consult your vet before doing it.
Keep the dog close to you and pat him. Compel him to lie down and sleep and keep patting him. He would still show restlessness but there are some dogs that will sleep when you constantly do this. If the dog is vomiting, then you need to ensure that you give him enough water so that he doesn’t get dehydrated.
It is said that “nothing heals like love”. All that your pet requires during any illness is a bit of care and love. The response that your pet will show to medications would be nothing compared to how he responds to care and love. Show your dog that you care for him and he will be fine.
Continued here: Remedies For Motion Sickness in Dogs
