How would you do it?

[Zahboo]

I have a husky lab (Willow) that needs to get her rabies shot next month. She is 5 months old right now and in NC you have to get them at 6 months. The issue is the closest vet is like 7 miles away, and our vet is about 20. Willow CANNOT ride in a vehicle. She throws up whether in a crate, looking out the window, not eaten all day, NOTHING stops her from puking. Tried in the back of the truck and she throws up and shakes horribly. She is terrified of cars. As soon as she gets in a vehicle she pees even if she just went potty. She's even pooed in the truck bed from being scared and we weren't even moving. I have to get her her rabies shot, but I don't know what to do. The vet said she needs to be calm for her shot and my mom keeps saying just get sedative pills. That's so harsh though. The vet will come here and give the shot but that takes a $10 visit to $100, which we don't really have to throw around. Soooo what would you do?

 

[debilorrah]

I would contact the vet and ask about a mild sedative for the poor dog! I had a cat like that, and they prescribed me something mild so he was out of it and didn't know the difference between the car ride and standing there!

 

[pulletkeeper]

I have one that is terrified of being in vehicles too but not to the extent of yours. I would get a sedative too. It should only cost a couple of dollars for a pill and you will just need to tell the vet the exact weight of the animal to get the dose right so she is not unconscious.

 

[Chocol8]

That's what I did with my dog. She got scared but not as terrified as yours.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

You may want to try VETERINARY Express out of Fuquay Varina. His name is Trey Rodgers. I don't know if he schedules appointments that far or not. He may know someone that does. I have a cat that can't tolerate riding at all so we call them to come to the house. They come in a large fully equipped truck/vet hospital right to your doorstep. They can come into your home or you can just take your pet out to the truck. It was $100.00 cheaper for him to come to the house for two cats to get their annual checkup, 3yr rabies vaccine, and 3yr booster for something else(can't quite remember) than it was for me to take them into the local vets office. He is really good and takes good care of the animals with compassion.

Here is his website: http://www.veterinaryexpress.com/

 

[Soaring Chicks]

You can ask for the dose of benadryll per the dogs wieght -it will clam her and help not have anyside affects from the shot.
The vet I worked for did this for some of his dogs that got car sick and or had mild reactions to the shot. A one time dose of a sed. will not do any long term damage. You just want to make sure it has had time to take affect before the car ride. Best of luck to ya.

 

[Melissakins]

Valerian works great too.

If you give Benadryl, it's one 25 mg pill per 25 lbs of weight. So if you had a 50 lb dog, you can give two 25 mg benadryl pills.

How about Dramamine? Here's a great article on it: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=0+1303+1459&aid=1399

 

[charmed one]

You could try just sitting in the back of the truck with Willow at first. Give her positive reinforcement and maybe a treat or two. Then, when she is calm doing that, start the truck. Then gradually move the truck just alittle. She might not be ready in a month, but you could probably get her over her phobia. After a week of getting in the back of the truck for a treat, she'll run for the truck. Hope this helps! Good Luck!

 

[pdsavage]

Feed the dog in the truck and give treats there...Also have it running when you do this....Its gonna take time....

 

[SillyChicken]

was going to suggest the same. Start conditioning for the next trip! But sedate or get vet to come out for the first trip!