Excessive Drooling

[tilerspop]

Loki is 8 months old now and we have been trying to take her with us as much as possible since she was 4 mo. She will not jump into the car, must be lifted. She doesn't fight it but won't get in by herself.

Once in the vehicle she begins drooling excessively. It's like someone turned on a faucet in her mouth - 3 - 4 drops per second. Eventually she develops the long stringy mucus from her mouth.

If we are going to my sister-in-laws, about 40 minutes away, she throws up.

Anybody have any ideas?

[Judi W]

Put down a shower curtain and some towels.;)

I've never had a dog that got car sick, but I have been told that some ginger snaps before help.

[spidey]

Car sickness often has a psychological component (which is why many dogs start the drooling before the car even moves - they've been sick in the car before so they start anticipating feeling sick). What I'd do is start off with just sitting in the car in the driveway with her with the doors open, feed her yummy treats. Then progress to feeding her a meal or two in there, then to short trips around the block. You don't have to avoid longer trips while you do this, but try to get her to associate the car with good things. If you can get her to have a couple of trips without her feeling sick (by gradual build-up to short trips), it may help her. Judi's ginger snap suggestion may work, ginger is supposed to settle the stomach.

That said, car sickness is often something dogs eventually grow out of, my sister's dog used to get horrendously carsick until he was a year old or so, now he never gets sick.

[LavenderRott]

I had a mutt that couldn't drive two minutes down the road without losing her lunch all over the back of my Pathfinder! When we found out she was going to have to ride back there from Northern Maine to Idaho, we started going on short rides daily. A few rides and the vomiting stopped, by the time we left for Idaho, she loved riding in the car!

[SABELLESMOM]

Drooling as you described, is probably because the dog stresses while in the car. Put down that shower curtain and some towels. Then start going more frequently for shorter rides. You need to start by having your behavior seem upbeat and fun!

Try to get her to be more enthusiastic about getting in the car. Use treats, get her in and praise her. You don't have to go for a ride. In fact I would even suggest just have her get in, give a treat, sit a minute and get back out. If you do go for a ride make it short. A ride around the block or to gas up the car, for instance. Home again and lots of upbeat praise!

If you think you need a medication: try rescue remedy (available in the health food section at Wegman's) or any generic form of Pepto-Bismol (according to my vet).

Good luck!

[tilerspop]

Thanks for the advice. What you've said confirms my original plan, I hope it works.

[My3Rotties]

My 1 yr. old girl Dakota does the same thing...she will happily jump in the truck....and she will go in the back and sit down..but, after a bit of riding she will start to drool excessively and she will get shoelace's hanging down. She doesn't vomit..thank god but she does drool to no end that by the time we get to where we are going she's soaking wet I've tried all kinds of things and nothing has worked..so, i just let her drool plenty of towels on hand help. good luck!

[Brooke&Ryan]

Does Loki ride in a crate in the car or does she have a seatbelt? I know that when Julius was smaller he would ride in his crate in the car. He would get sick EVERY time. About five months ago we got him a seatbelt & now that he can see out he doesn't get sick anymore. I think it's been very helpful for him. When we drive up to Ryan's camp & Julius is in the crate in the Bronco Julius will get sick several times. I think getting fresh air from the windows and seeing things go by helps Jules.

:)
Brooke