It is well established that the human-animal bond is a core source of emotional well-being for pet owners.[1] According to a recent industry market survey, pet owners are increasingly viewing their pets as human, often referring to them as children or members of the family.[2] This change has influenced pet parents to choose to bring their family dog on their vacations more often.

Unlike in years past, today 53% of owners will take their dog along for a day trip, and 42% will take their dog with them for a weekend trip (2–3 days).[3] However, there are times when motion sickness prohibits the ability of their canine companion to join their loving family.

As nearly 11 million dogs are affected by motion sickness in the U.S., owners are often forced to either modify their trips or leave their four-legged family members behind. Doing so results in pet parents feeling sad or lonely, which can, in turn, negatively impact the bond between them and their dog. [4] [5]

Educating pet owners on the signs of canine motion sickness is key in helping maintain the health and emotional well-being of both the pet owner and their canine companion. Marty Becker, DVM, founder of Fear Free℠ and Adjunct Professor at Washington State University, notes that identifying motion sickness in dogs is not difficult if the right client communication tools are in place, specifically following principles of the Fear Free℠ practice philosophy.

“I send an email questionnaire in advance of appointments to gain understanding around any health or behavioral concerns the owner has for their pet such as fear or anxiety,” said Becker. “Such questions may inquire about car rides and whether the dog exhibits signs indicative of motion sickness including drooling, excessive lip licking, excessive panting, shaking and/or vomiting. Canine patients can be fearful when they have car sickness—it is an experience they do not want to repeat—why not proactively prevent that?”

Maropitant citrate is the first and only FDA-approved prescription medication to safely and effectively prevent vomiting due to motion sickness in dogs. Given two hours before a car ride, the tablets are easy to dose and don’t cause drowsiness, allowing the family dog to travel while helping keep the human-animal bond intact.

For more information on the prevention of vomiting related to motion sickness, and other resources related to the use of maropitant citrate in practice, please follow this link.

About the Author: Daniel K. Edge, DVM, MBA is a Veterinary Medical Lead for Zoetis US Companion Animal Division with focus on Pain, Oncology, and Specialty products.

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