There will always be a need for vets. That idea, plus my huge love of animals, has led me down the path of becoming a veterinarian. I have not graduated from my course yet, but the reason behind this blog is to share my learning journey. I intend to write blog posts on subjects like the veterinarian education path, my thoughts on whether to be a general or specialist vet and how I wish to use alternative treatments like acupuncture in my practice. If you too have a love of animals and want to make this your job, then my blog will be interesting to you.
Dog Care: Understanding Motion Sickness
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from motion sickness when they ride in a car. Motion sickness can occur as a result of a variety of sensory signals sending conflicting messages to the part of the brain that causes nausea, which is known as the emetic centre. These sensory signals can come from the vestibular system, which is involved in balance, and the visual processing system, which can cause confusion around how the body identifies movement. Motion sickness can develop in any dog, but it does seem to be more common in puppies due to their vestibular system still being immature. It's thought that stress and anxiety can also play a role in the development of motion sickness.
Signs Of Motion Sickness
Although vomiting is a common sign of motion sickness, particularly on longer journeys, not every dog with motion sickness will actually vomit. As your dog can't tell you how they are feeling, it's important to be aware of the other signs of motion sickness so that you can provide treatment and make your dog more comfortable on car journeys. Signs of motion sickness include persistent whining and trembling or shaking as if your dog is afraid. Your dog will be nauseous and this will present as excessive drooling, yawning, panting and licking their lips repeatedly.
Treating Motion Sickness
There are a few different treatment options for motion sickness, but you should discuss any treatment with your vet, as even natural treatments can have negative side effects and may not be suitable for dogs with underlying medical conditions. Popular treatments include ginger supplements, which may reduce the symptoms of nausea, and calming pheromone sprays that may be useful for dogs whose symptoms are linked to anxiety. A lavender essential oil can also be used to help your dog stay calm and relaxed in the car, but this should never be ingested.
Your vet can prescribe medication for motion sickness, and the type of medication will depend on your vet's assessment of your dog's symptoms. They may prescribe anti-emetic drugs to prevent vomiting or a light sedative. There are also drugs that block receptors in the emetic centre of the brain, which can be very effective at reducing the symptoms of motion sickness.
Additionally, there are some other steps you can take to help your dog be more comfortable. Try not to feed your dog before a car journey and take breaks on long journeys to let your dog get some fresh air and a short walk. Allowing your dog to see out of the window can also be helpful, as this can encourage their vestibular system and eyes to coordinate more effectively.
If your dog is suffering from motion sickness there's no need for them to miss out on adventures. Talk to your vet and give some of their treatment recommendations a try.