Sedative for a chihuhaua type dog

[HeatherLucy101]

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Hi, I'm after some advise. We go on holiday in August for a week. We 're taking our dog Ted with us. He is a Chihuhaua/Jack Russell... however is more on the chihuahua side for size. The car journey is going to be about 4 hours long with regular stops planned in. Ted is usually quite good in the car. He lies on the floor between my feet on a blanket and goes to sleep. He usually wakes when we reverse or the engine is turned off. We haven't been on such a long journey before and I would like to lightly sedate him for his comfort as I know that he will become fed up and get irritable. Can anyone suggest a good sedative? Or how open to prescribing will a vet be? Or if I do sedate him myself, how effective will it be as I want to be able to get him out for little walk/drink and a wee when we stop. Many Thanks

 

[La Luna]

Personally, I wouldn't sedate him. Four hours isn't so long, especially with stops on the way. Good Luck and enjoy your holiday!

 

[excuseme]

Four hours is not too long at all. You will be stopping for wee's and maybe a drink.

He is normally ok with shorter journeys so what makes you think there will be a problem with a longer journey.

Why give him medication/drugs to sedate him! Maybe this is for your own convenience !

Try this journey first, you may find that he is perfectly ok and surprise you.

 

[gypsysmum2]

Sedation can cause a dog to become very anxious. They are unable to move their muscles and so feel "trapped". While it would solve the immediate car journey problem it might cause huge problems in years to come.

I would do some training sessions where you teach him to "settle". This is where the dog learns to lie down quietly and not be a nuisance. They are not doing a "stay" exercise just learning to lie quietly. Start in the house when you want him to leave you alone. Reward him for just lying quietly beside you. Keep a close eye and give frequent rewards for short periods of settling at first. Gradually extend the time he is expected to stay calm before getting his treat. Don't forget about him! Keep a close eye and reward before he gets fed up and moves.

Once he understands the exercise you can use it in the car and just pop him a treat every so often to reward his good behaviour. Ignore all bad behaviour and wait again for a short period of good behaviour before rewarding it.

 

[arealhuman]

Sounds a bit drastic to me. How about sparing some Adaptil around the car where your dog sits/lies?

 

[HeatherLucy101]

It's not for my benefit lol. It's for his. The last thing I want is for him to spaz out on the motorway! He loes between my legs in front passenger side so i dont want him jumpimg about. I have decided against the sedative though after speaking to my vet. He was happy to prescribe but he gave sort of the same advise. So I'm going to take him for a long run over the field early in the morning so hopefully he will tire himself out and want to sleep anyway. Least that way he will be cohearant when we stop for wees ect. Thanks for the advise.

 

[excuseme]

I am sure you will have a good journey.

Best wishes.

 

[arealhuman]

I am sure you will have a good journey.

Best wishes.

Me too