Expert: Heather - 2/3/2007

Question
I FOUND A HOMELESS DOG AND GAVE HIM A HOME. VET SAID HE IS ABOUT 2 YRS OLD. BREED IS HALF PIT BULL AND HALF BOXER VERY LOVING AND OBEDIENT. I HAD HIM FIXED GOT ALL HIS SHOTS AND HE IS NOW FREE OF HEART WORM. I TRAVEL A LOT AND I NEED HIM TO GO WITH ME , NO PROBLEM TO GET IN THE CAR HE GETS IN HIMSELF. THE PROBLEM IS THAT ONCE WE START MOVING HE BEGINS TO PANT AND VISIBLE SHAKE ALL OVER. I DO NOT WHAT TO MEDICATE POWDER BECAUSE IT DOESNT REALLY WORK AND I DON,T LIKE THE IDEA. I TRIED IT ONCE. IS THERE ANYWAY THAT WITH WORKING ON SHORT TRIPS AND EXTENDING THEM A LITTLE AT A TIME I CAN MAKE HIM COMFORTABLE WITH TRAVELING A LONG DISTANCE.  

Answer
Hey Frankie. There are a few things that you can try. Start with over the counter plain Benadryl. They come in 25mg tablets & the dosage is 1mg per pound. Example: A 25lb dog gets a 25mg tablet. This can be given up to 3 times daily. Give it about 30min before you leave. Try it out at home first to see how it works. Unfortunately it can go in 2 ways. It's either going to calm Powder down or make him hyper. =) So try it at home first. If that doesn't work then there's a drug called Acepromazine. This is an awesome drug!! It is a mild sedative that can be given to take the edge off. It is very safe, has no side effects, & lasts a while. Your vet will be able to prescribe this. Either one is you best bet. Thanks for rescuing him! We need more people like you in the world. Let me know if I can do anything else to help!
-Heather