Motion Sickness

Do not feed your puppy prior to a car ride. Take him on many short trips and gradually increase the length of the rides once he becomes accustomed to the motion of the car. Take plenty of paper towels or newspapers to shove under him if he starts to vomit. If you have done all this and he is still getting sick when you take him in the car, you can administer an over the counter, human, motion sickness drug by the name of Bonine, Meclizine or Antivert. These drugs are usually sold as 25 mg tablets. For puppies under ten pounds, you can give 6.25 to 12.5 mg (1/4 to 1/2 tablet if 25 mg tablet); ten to twenty pounds give 12 to 25 mg (1/2 to 1 tablet if 25 mg. tablet); and over twenty pounds, one whole 25 mg tablet, one hour before going for the car ride. If you take your puppy on frequent short trips in the car, he will eventually not get sick and you will not have to administer medication.

Author: Gary L. Clemons DVM