WALLY ASHCROFT'S Wonder of Pets

WE ARE now well into the annual summer holiday and the roads are becoming overcrowded. Weekend travelling usually means long periods stuck in traffic jams on the motorway. This is bad enough, but when your dog is being violently sick, or continually whimpering, it doesn't make the annual holiday the relaxing pleasurable fortnight we dream so longingly about.

Most dogs enjoy travelling by car and are well behaved. Some will become over excited and will be jumping all over the place. Others will simply be afraid and may suffer from travel sickness.

Travel sickness is usually experienced in young adult dogs rather than very small puppies or more mature dogs. A dog suffering from travel sickness is usually very quiet. He will start to pant and salivate a lot. This is normally followed by vomiting.

It is caused by the dog being sensitive to the movements of the car which in turn have an effect on the organs of balance in the inner ear. This constant movement affects the brain and causes the dog to vomit.

You can help to cut down the effects of travel sickness by not feeding your dog for six to eight hours before the journey. No water should be given for two hours before starting off. The car should be well ventilated and not allowed to become hot or stuffy. Frequent use of the car will help your dog to get used to the movement and vibrations which cause the problem. Put him in the car and sit with him without the engine running for a few times. When he has stopped showing signs of distress try running the engine. He will gradually get accustomed to the vibrations and so take him on a very short run, around the block for instance. Slowly increase the distance and you should find the problem begins to resolve itself. In very severe cases there are tablets which your dog can take which will help to calm him down. You should always allow your dog to perform the normal toilet duties before getting into the car. Frequent stops along the journey will also help.

Many dogs become very excited during a car journey. They show an urgent desire to get into the car, keep whining and refuse to sit still. This should not be confused with anxiety. When you are faced with this situation your dog should be dominated and made to behave. Your dog will be keen to get to the end of the journey in order to exercise. If your dog refuses to behave, try stopping the car and leaving him on his own, inside, for a short while. If this treatment is repeated your dog will soon learn to sit quietly. A dog hates to be ignored and so shouting at him will only be giving him the attention he seeks. Paying attention to bad behaviour will only make matters worse. There are now available special seat belts for dogs which fit easily onto the rear seat belt of your car. These are fool proof and prevent your dog from jumping around while keeping him safe.

If you follow these hints I'm sure that both you and your dog can enjoy your well deserved annual holiday.

By Wally Ashcroft, Owner of The Pets Emporium, 2-6 College Street, St Helens and Sutton Corn Stores, 69 Junction Lane, Sutton, St Helens.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.