foaming at the mouth at the mere thought of the car-HELP!

[Jessica]

Marley (6 months) has been getting sick in the car since about 3 months old...it varies from throwing up solid food to full on foaming and drooling at the mouth...when she starts the foaming and drooling she shakes her head in a very particular way sending the drool and foam ALL OVER my car!!!  The only way we can take trips (even the short ones) is to open the passenger window all the way so she can hang her entire head and front paws out,  It has now gotten to the point where she starts the head shaking and foaming when I open the car door and just standing next to it!  She doesn't cry or try to get away from the car and seems to even like hanging her head out the window...She is generally fearless about ost other things...Here are the things we've tried:

-no food before travel

-dramamine for long trips (like a few hours long)

-bones and special treats while driving (sometimes work sometimes not)

-front facing with and without harness

-just started putting high value treats in seat but don't drive anywhere

Looking for advice and or sympathy and similar stories that worked out successfully...The thought of not bringing Marley everywhere dogs are allowed would be devastating!!! Thanks!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Does she have a crate/does she like her crate? Would your crate fit in the car? Taquito HATES long trips sitting in the back seat. However, if I bring his crate (and I always do), he sleeps the whole way and has no issues. That is his safe place.

[Jamie Petro]

I'd like to hear the responses to this too. Wrigley didn't have a problem riding in the car when she was a small puppy, but started foaming at the mouth and vomitting around 9 months old. Now she can't even ride for 5-10 minutes without getting sick. We even had to get a prescription for the last time we travelled to my inlaws. It was around $35 for 4 pills, and she had to take 2 for the trip there and 2 for the trip back. She was still very nervous and foamed a little bit, but she never actually got sick. I'm like Jessica, I want to be able to take Wrigley everywhere without worrying that she's going to be miserable.

[Kay Bolin]

Oh dear, I'm going to join the discussion - Misty is just 4.5 months old and the last three times she was in the car for 1/2 hour she threw up, and the last time she had not eaten for about 6 hours just to see if that would help. She's in her crate in the car and she is fine with crates in the house. We had just ordered a harness for her for in the car, and I'm not looking forward to her vomiting on the seat. One of the teachers at the puppy kindergarten class (which is where we're going when she throws up) said that we should have her in the car every day. The first day just go in the driveway, the second just a little ways down the street, the next a tiny bit farther. You get the drift here. Problem of course is that we'll be driving for half an hour again on Monday, and obviously will not be up to that amount of time by then! She also suggested ginger. We haven't tried that yet. Well - I too am anxious to hear from the ones with the success stories.

[Kay Bolin]

I want to update you on our progress with this. We decided to try the idea of first day in driveway, second a little down the street, etc. Misty drooled like crazy the first time I tried to put her into the car on this plan. We just sat out in the driveway for about 3 minutes with the air conditioning on, windows open, radio on to some nice soothing music, and me giving Misty little teeny bites of some favorite treats. Then we got out of the car and I praised her big time and gave many more treats. Next time we just moved a couple feet in the driveway. Same with treats and praise. Next time we went half a block and then just backed up and went into the driveway again. Today we did it a couple of times, including the last time driving all the way around the block. She still didn't want to get into the car, but she is not drooling when she gets in, and seems to be fine.

We're hoping this works, because a dog that can't go in the car - it just doesn't work!
Hope you're all having some sort of luck too - keep us all posted.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

This is a great Kay :) Keep it up.

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Talk with your vet about using melatonin for anxiety. There has been a lot of research done and veterinary papers written about the success of using melatonin to quiet anxiety in dogs. Melatonin is available at health food stores and most drug stores. You CANNOT use sublingual melatonin because it can have xylitol (artificial sweetener toxic to dogs) in it. Also make sure it does not contain any other herbs or botanicals.

Before you try it, check out the research - type melatonin for dogs into your browser - and after you've read through it, see it that might sound something good for your dog. Then TALK WITH YOUR VET about it and make sure there is nothing about your dog/puppy's health that should prevent him/her from taking melatonin. This does not make your dog drowsy like it does humans, it just quiets the anxiety.

It also works well for thunderstorms, fireworks, and in our case, it helped Connor get back to riding in the car again after an automobile accident (we were hit hard). I think it was the HUGE NOISE that scared him as much as being shaken a bit.

Best of luck.

[shelly]

I too can't take Tori in the car.... but her vomiting has turned into well to put it politely.... pooping in my car.... she gets so worked up that she just poops... think I'd rather have the vomit and drool.... we're off right now to go to a new agility class 5 minutes away... I'm hoping she makes it thru' the ride.... I'll let you know.... hope there will be some great solutions offered!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I saw this earlier but decided not to say any thing because you were receiving good advice. Tonight someone mentioned that maybe I come back in here and show you a discussion /solution to something I posted this Spring.

My Starlit has anxiety--not motion sickness--big difference. She drooled excessively then finally puked. So this link may be for you if this is what you are seeing in your dog.

I can say--It has worked beautifully. Good luck

Just keep in mind--car rides only for 2 miles--5 minutes--positive experience-- no trips for you, only for the dog. This took about 6 weeks. We did it daily
http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/car-sickness-another