What To Do If Your Dog Gets Sick While Traveling

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Be prepared for the unexpected when your away from home

For many pet owners, their dogs are their best friends and also their preferred travel companions. Not all dogs are cut out for travel, however – some are prone to motion sickness and anxiety related to car travel. If you know that your dog is prone to motion sickness there are a few things you can do to make his trip more comfortable. If your dog’s sickness comes on unexpectedly, however, it can be a little more of a challenge to deal with but you can still be prepared by reading the tips in this article.

Motion Sickness

As is true with humans, dogs can get motion sickness during travel too – and the result is not pretty. Motion sickness is particularly common in puppies and older dogs, though it can really affect dogs of any age. While motion sickness typically results in vomiting, some other common symptoms include listlessness, excessive yawning or panting, whining, excessive drooling and anxiety. In many cases, dogs that experience motion sickness eventually develop a fear of cars which could result in extreme anxiety during travel.

If your dog suffers from motion sickness there are a few things you can do. First, make an effort to keep your dog as comfortable as possible by bringing along familiar items from home such as a blanket or a favorite toy. Try to keep your dog facing forward during travel to reduce his nausea – looking out the side windows will likely make it worse. When the car is in motion, roll the windows down just a few inches to balance the air pressure in the car and always make sure the car is cool and well-ventilated for your dog. If you know that your dog gets motion sickness, avoid feeding him close to your departure time but do not withhold water.

Serious Illness

Though no dog owner wants to think about it, there is always the possibility that something will happen and your dog will become seriously ill while you are traveling. This is why it is recommended that you bring a copy of your dog’s medical records with you on your trip. In the event that your dog does get ill, check the phone book or ask around for the local emergency veterinary hospital. Take note of your dog’s symptoms in as much detail as possible for the vet – this is very important because the vet does not already know your dog the way your veterinarian at home does. After your dog receives the treatment he needs, make sure to schedule a follow-up appointment with your veterinarian at home.

In Case of Injury

If you know that you are going to be going on an extended trip with your dog, you would be wise to assemble an emergency first aid kit. Included in this kit should be basic items like bandages, gauze and tape as well as styptic powder to stop bleeding, tweezers to remove splinters and a muzzle to keep your dog from biting (even if your dog is very well-mannered, he may act differently when he is in pain). In addition to these basic items, consider including some antiseptic wipes, saline solution and disposable gloves. In case your dog eats something dangerous, having some hydrogen peroxide on hand to induce vomiting may be useful as well.

For minor injuries such as shallow cuts and scrapes, you should be able to clean and dress the wound yourself. Check the wound to be sure there aren’t any stones or pieces of glass left in the wound then clean it thoroughly with water and antiseptic wipes. Next, cover the wound with gauze and secure it in place with tape. For bleeding wounds, apply pressure until the bleeding stops before bandaging it up and check the wound often to make sure it doesn’t start bleeding again. For deep cuts or breaks, seek veterinary help as soon as possible.

Whether it is a simple case of motion sickness or a serious injury, it is always a good idea to have your dog checked by your veterinarian when you get home. In some cases, the symptoms of motion sickness may mask the symptoms of a more serious problem or your dog’s anxiety about travel could be a sign of a different illness entirely.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Springador

The Springador is a cross between a purebred English Springer Spaniel and Labrador Retriever. They are active, loyal, and loving dogs.

Famous Fat Cat Who Inspired Meme Honored With Statue

Made famous by a meme, Istanbul''s iconic fat cat, Tombili, was forever memorialized in a statue, on the very sidewalk where she liked to chill out.

Adoptable Dog of the Week – Buddy

If you''re looking for a new friend, you''ve got to meet Buddy, our Adoptable Dog of the Week! He''s an adult male Collie from Dublin, Ohio.

Best Pet Cameras

Pet cameras are a great way to be able to keep an eye on your pet when you''re not at home, but also a tool to help you make your cat or dog feel less alone.

Gen Y Dogma – Compromising Pet Parenting Styles

Raising a dog in a two-parent household, you need to come to some agreement on what style pet parenting you’re going to employ. If you don’t work…

Top 10 Dog Father’s Day Gifts

When a canine is your dad''s BF, a gift for the dog is really a gift for your dad. Here are our favorite picks that celebrate your dog-loving daddy-o.

Provenance Hotels Debuts Line of Very Important Pet Amenities

Taking the idea of VIP (Very Important Pets) extremely seriously, Provenance Hotels and its eight urban lifestyle hotels infuse posh into pet travel.

Best Bark Collars for Small Dogs

To help you stop your dog from barking, we handpicked the best bark collars for small dogs on the market. From vibration and sound-only bark collars to shock, and spray anti-bark collars, here are 10 bark collars that will help you get some peace and quiet – finally!

Facts And Myths About Black Cats

November 17 is National Black Cat Appreciation Day! There''s a lot of fiction surrounding these inky-colored kitties - let''s talk about what''s true or false.

DIY Pet Stain and Odor Remover

This 3 ingredient DIY pet stain and odor remover is cheap and easy to make- but it will work wonders when it comes to cleaning up after your messy pet.

Mauzer

The Mauzer is a cross between a purebred Miniature Schnauzer and Maltese. This dog is energetic, funny, and feisty, as well as joyful and playful.

Essential Gear for the Dog-Friendly Road Trip

Pet Parents won''t leave their furbabies behind when embarking on a road trip. Make the trip as comfortable and safe as possible with this essential gear.

Crazy Cat Houses Let Your Kitty Be Indiana Jones

A Michigan couple created a fantabulous cat furniture company, combining their love for cats and movies with amazing designs so your kitty can feel famous.

Frozen Mixed Summer Berry Dog Treat Recipe

The summer is too short to be spent in the kitchen. That’s why you’ll love this Frozen Mixed Summer Berry Dog Treat Recipe. It took me five minutes to make.…

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Buddy

We want you to look forward to Tuesdays and that’s why we always feature our Upside Down Dog of the Week from Upsidedowndogs.com on this day. This week…