Have you ever sat in the back seat of a car on a long, winding road, maybe glancing down at your phone to read something, and suddenly, a wave of nausea comes over you? For those who have experienced car sickness, or motion sickness of a different variation, it is not a pleasant time.
And while our dogs may not be riding roller coasters or checking their cell phones in a moving car, motion sickness still affects them. Fortunately, veterinarians have a solution by the name of Dramamine.
What is Dramamine?
Dramamine, a brand name version of the drug Dimenhydrinate, is an antihistamine medication used to treat nausea, vomiting and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It is used in both humans and small animals such as dogs.
What Causes Motion Sickness in Dogs?
So, we know that car rides and really any sort of travel can cause motion sickness in our dogs. But what is actually happening? Motion sickness is closely tied to your dog’s vestibular system. The vestibular system involves the inner ear and is responsible for sending sensory information to the brain as it relates to motion and balance. When this system is thrown off, say by a turn in the road while traveling in a car, therein enters motion sickness. Other sudden changes in balance or motion can also cause motion sickness, but more often than not, especially with dogs, will occur when traveling in a car.
