Hi all, hope I'm still welcome here now and again.
Someone rang me today who has a 6 month Westie puppy ( not one of mine) who is dreadfully sick in the car. She has had him since 8 weeks of age and has done ALL the right things as far as I can tell: Not feeding beforehand, has tried to get him used to the car by sitting in it and trying to play with him with the engine off, sitting in it with the engine on, giving him toys, bones, travelling in the foot well, in an enclosed type crate and an open wire crate, feeding him in it, when she isnt going anywhere,
She takes him to work ( and has done ever since he was tiny) every morning, an 8 minute journey, and he has got to the stage that as soon as his owner opens the house door to go to the car he's miserable and tries to run and hide, when he gets to the car he starts to retch before the engine is even started!! poor chap. He knows he's going to have fun as soon as he arrives because everyone makes a fuss of him and I think he has the run of the office with toys and bones etc. She doesn't give him his breakfast til he arrives there. She hasn't tried medication because she doesn't want him to be drowsy, is there anything from the vet she can give him that will work and not make him drowsy? Homeoptahic remedy ideas would be welcome. I think it might be Nux Vom, or maybe even Ignatia, but I'm not sure any homeopathic enthusiasts out there? She's ringing me back tonight at 8 pm so any help would be very gladly received before then. I know SOMEONE will be able to help.

Hi Westie Lover !
Welcome back ... we missed you :-)

It sounds like your friends are trying everything that I would have suggested anyway. Sorry I can't be of any help , but I would be interested to know if any "potions" that will hopefully be recommended by someone, do help with the problem. So, please keep us posted :-)

Regards, Leigh

Hi Westie Lover, You’re always welcome here! I have a friend in Goldens who had a problem. She used something she put on it's tongue to calm it. (Even tried it herself a couple of times and she's still here!!!) She'll be at work at the moment but I'll ring her later and find out what it was.

Regards, John :D :D

Hi Westie Lover, good to hear from you again.
I did a trace on Car sickness using Google which does come up with several sites, all of which seem to suggest what your friend is already doing. although there are several suggestions of Dr Bach's Rescue Remedy which might be worth giving a try. However there is a possibility that the puppy might have a balance problem (or something the matter with the ears which affects the balance) which would mean that until that was sorted out there would be no hope of improvement. One of the sites did mention that they had tried absolutely everything and then visited the vet who discovered the balance problem, treated that, and the dog was then ok in the car.
My homoeopathic guide does not specifically mention car sickness, however Argentum Nitricum 30c is prescribed for "Anticipation especially in regard to a forthcoming event (ie visits to vet and shows) characterised by trembling and diarrhoea possibly also weakness and vomiting" which might fit the bill. If I want any advice on homoeopathy either in dogs or humans I always contact Ainsworths either via the web http://www.ainsworths.com/ or by phone 0171 935 5330 and have always found them extremely helpful. They do have connections with a homoeopathic vet.
Joan

I think Cocculus x6 is the homeopathic remedy for travel sickness where the dog salivates a lot & actually vomits. Nux vomica is used where the dog is v restless, howls & generally won't stay still while travelling. You can order both of these online from Ainsworths. As someone else has suggested, Bach Rescue Remedy can have a calming effect so also might be worth a try.

Another "natural" remedy that might be worth a go is ginger which is very good for settling the stomach. You can either give a ginger capsule before travelling or even a ginger biscuit sometimes helps (probably won't work in severe cases though)

hth

Jane

I have a friend who has suggest Ginger root tablets/powder.
you should be able to get this from 'health food shop' or Holland and Barrett etc.
I know that Gaynor Warriner from the Aqua Paws hydrotherapy pool
in New Milton sells it too, at a very reasonable price, I don't have her phone number to hand.
I really hope that your friend manages to sort the problem out.
Best Wishes
Kirstine

Hi Westie Lover

Nice to see you! The only suggestion I can make is that i can only travel in a car with a window open blowing in fresh air; other wise I feel sick and faint. Might be worth your friend trying this?

I tend to agree with another post that it could also be a physical problem (balance) as opposed to just a sickness problem. As your friend has tried so many right things and has still not had any success.

Best wishes
Llindsay

Hi Westie Lover, Hope I'm not to late! Had a chat to my friend in Goldens and we both figure that as the problem starts almost before the car starts, it must be nerves. She has used Valerian Compound from DorWest herbs (Think it has a site on the net or see them at Crufts) and another one is Trided which is a homeopathic remedy. The phone number as a contact for this is 01277-213251. She says phone this one, they are very helpful and may have another suggestion.

Best wishes, John

Isuggest valarian .can be bought in any health shop or, kalms again in any healthshop.

Hi westie lover, I have a chinese crested puppy that used to be dreadfully sick and I tried everything including all the homeopathic remedies. I talked to a lot of breeders and they all seemed to use half a tablet of Stugeron from the chemist. In then end I gave in and gave it to her and all I can say is it is a miracle, she hasnt been sick since as long as I give her this 1 hour before we go out. A few of my friends in other breeds have also tried it and give between a quarter to one half with the same success. One of these people even got her vet to check if it was safe for her pom and he did a lot of research on it and seems to think it is ok. I would give a westie pup quarter for a start to see if that worked, if not increase it to a half. 5 months after starting to use it I now dont have to give my crested anything as I think stopping her being sick broke the cycle. Good luck and I hope this has been of some use.

I always use Stugeron, although I would rather use homeopathy. Stugeron has worked for my lot without fail. I used it on a HWV from a very early age and it doesnt make them drowsy.
Diane