Car sickness

[Sica]

Hi

So today I drove home to my parents house, it took about 8 hours and we made about three stops about 1/2 hour each to let the bunnies relax a bit.  Farrah and Damian have a small travel cage that allows for a small litter box and room for them to lay flat.  I didnt want them to stop eating so I made sure to provide them with lots of hay and cilantro and a bowl of water.   Both ate during the trip and used thier litter box, however I think Damian was car sick.  Farrah was her usual active self but I dont know how to describe why I thought Damian was car sick, but he was definatly feeling something, probably a little sick to his stomach.  If he could throw up then I would know for sure but of course he cant do that… so… my question is….. Is there anything I can give him to keep him from feeling yucky?  Some medicine or herb that will keep his belly from getting upset?  If anyone has any ideas please let me know.  I will be able to check the site again in about 10 hours, but we wont leave for our drive home until Monday.

Thanks All!

[Cassi&Charlie]

I know what you mean, my bun gets like that too. I don’t have any suggestions but I’ll be interested if anyone does.

[Hedi]

You know, this would be something great to find out.

I know that dogs can take antivert that is over the counter for humans. We had a dog growing up who would get so car sick anywhere we went.

Maybe someone else on here would know?

[bunnytowne]

I know for people sage tea helps.   If your bunny will eat some leaves it may help him out there.

[bunnytowne]

Oh and licorice tea helps for people too.   I am not sure if buns can eat that type of tea leave though.  Check to be extra sure.  House Rabbit Society would have a lsit          or emiail….  gosh I forget her name she is in miami at university there.

OH what a time to  oh yes              Dana Kempels thats her name.  You can find her on house rabbit society too.

[Sica]

I sent an email to Dana Krempel as you suggested, and I will definately let you all know what she says about it.  Thanks!!

Also I will see if I can get him some sage leaves to eat for the ride home.

[MimzMum]

What about chamomile? I know that soothes my stomach.

[KatnipCrzy]

I know ginger is used for seasickness in humans- but I do not know how it would work with bunnies.

[Sica]

Ok so this is what Dana said, does anyone know where I can get any meclizine or how and how much to give Damian?  We leave in the morning and I wasnt able to find any sage leaves.

Thanks, Sica

Bunnies can't vomit, but they can likely feel motion sickness.  I'm not 
sure what would really help, but meclizine (Anti-Vert) might be something 
to try.
 
Dana
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dana Krempels, Ph.D.				    	^
University of Miami Department of Biology	    	^
H.A.R.E. (Houserabbit Adoption, Rescue & Education) 	^
dana@bio.miami.edu				    	^
 							^
 	Compassion towards animals is essentially	^
 	bound up with goodness of character.  		^
 	Whoever is cruel to them cannot be good to men.	^
 			-- Arthur Schopenhauer		^

[jerseygirl]

This might be a prescription only med. It’s sometimes called Anti-Vert and is used for nausea/dizziness for bunnies with head tilt. You could always try chammomile flowers from a herb shop or Rescue Remedy. Oh, and Mint! I know peppermint and mint teas can help settle the stomach so mint may help him.

[Sica]

Ok, Well I will stop by the health food store (if they are open-holiday) and see if I can get some Chamomile.  I know that I can get some mint from the grocery store so I will try that.  I will let you know if that seems to make any difference.  Wish me luck or rather wish Damian luck!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I transported a bunny who was so scared he drooled in the car.

I find my bunnies and shelter buns appreciate being loose on the seat-that way they can see better. Most animal carriers are not ASTM certified for crashes and cannot be safely belted into the car-so I don’t feel that it’s anymore dangerous to have them loose then in a carrier (some may disagree!) but that’s what I find is easiest on them. For a longer car ride I lay down towels so they can potty-shorter rides they usually won’t. I’ve found letting them loose on the seat, they just seem to relax and take it easier-they usually sprawl right out in flop after a little while so I know they are less worried

[Sica]

Ok, Well I was able to get some fresh mint for the ride home, I think that he did a little better, kinda hard to tell, but I think next time I will start feeding lots of mints the day before, during and after travel.  Im still open to other ideas??? Thanks everybody.

[MimzMum]

Could he just be scared of the ride? Perhaps having his favorite toy or soft things with him will help?

[Hedi]

Antivert (or Anti-vert) is an over the counter medication you can find at ANY pharmacy in the US. It would be in the upset stomach area.

Sorry I am late on this but maybe you can find it for the next time?
This is the same med we gave our dog when she would get car sick.

I still take it sometimes as well.

[jerseygirl]

Hedi – that’s good to know! How do you work out the dosage?

[Hedi]

Now the dosage…I have no clue about.

[Author]

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