[sully]

Hey guys, weird thing has just happened to Oggie the past few times in the car.....really excessive panting, yawning, and licking the lips.  The panting is so much that it worries me, like he's going to pass out.  I try turning the heat off/on, windows open/closed, everything.  Up until recently, he was perfect in the car for hours.  He'd just sit there or sleep.  But the last few trips he's panting like crazy. Once we get out, he's back to normal!  He's not a panter unless he's been running around and out of breath so this is abnormal.  You think this is an anxiety thing?  He hasn't gone anywhere bad in the car lately, in fact almost everywhere we go he loves it there because we're going to play with other dogs.  Very weird

 

[Guest]

Maybe he's over excited to play with the other doggies. Is it only when he KNOWS he is going to play with other dogs? Or just all the time now? Sometimes I dont tell Seven before we go to the park that were going there, he gets overexcited when he knows.

 

[NewtsMom]

Sounds to me like hes anxious to get where hes going, have you went to the vet lately? They do remember...lol... I wouldnt worry and always bring a water bottle and a bowl with you in case you think he is over heated. Newt pants in the car alot but when they get excited they do that! I dont think its anything to be worried about Does Oggie slobber? Newt just started slobbering, I have to bring a rag with me everywhere I go now..lol

 

[sully]

Well thats what my friend said too, because I went to his house today and he was panting on the way.  But he did it on the way home too.  I don't think he ever really knows where we are going because I don't really have a regular routine of anything.  I'm almost wondering if he's developing car sickness or something

 

[sully]

Sounds to me like hes anxious to get where hes going, have you went to the vet lately? They do remember...lol... I wouldnt worry and always bring a water bottle and a bowl with you in case you think he is over heated. Newt pants in the car alot but when they get excited they do that! I dont think its anything to be worried about Does Oggie slobber? Newt just started slobbering, I have to bring a rag with me everywhere I go now..lol

I actually haven't been to the vet in a while (thank god for once!) The water bottle is a good idea, he did seem thirsty.  He doesn't really slobber unless he's running around outside he will drool a bit.  He's not full grown yet though so there could be more to come.

 

[HannaBanana]

Hanna get VERY anxious in the car after a bit.  She will go from front to back, back to front over and over again, whine pant what not.  It normally because she know (I think) that she is going to play or to training.  She get very excited but thank god she does no pee!!

 

[NewtsMom]

[email protected] Hanna... as for Oggie, Id bring the water, perhaps talk to him as you are driving... this sounds silly but I sing to Newt, not saying she loves it but I think it helps. Perhaps its because he doesnt know where you are going....lol.

 

[Barbs2Ks]

My pit bull would pant alot and lick his lips in the car when he was getting car sick.  It usually only happened when he hadn't been taken for a ride in a while.  Once we started going for rides often it would stop.  Not say it is the same thing but just one thing to consider.

 

[sully]

He does give me that look like "help me" so I do sense something is wrong.  Sickness is a possibility.  We go for a ride almost every day though!  Although this week with the bad weather I didn't take him as much.  Hmm weird

 

[GabysDaddy]

Gaby does the same thing I don't think she likes the car to much, and I am sure it has to do with motion sickness....I'm hoping she will grow out of it soon....I've been taking her in the car often hopping she will eventually get used to it

 

[sharonL]

It kind of sounds like motion sickness to me.  They can start it or grow out of it at any age.  Try making sure he has not had alot to eat before your car rides and see if that may help...Smacking, licking the lips and drooling are all signs of it....

 

[samsonsmom]

Poor Oggie, I have to agree with Sharon tho, it does sound like car sickness and definitely make sure he hasn't eaten in a couple hours before he goes anywhere, the bottle of water is a good thing too, I usually always carry one as well

 

[g00dgirl]

I was thinking anxiety too, yawning and licking lips are "calming" signals that dogs give when they are in stressful situations.  It could be signals meant for another dog, to calm down or perhaps they use it for themselves as well.
Try taking him on short rides just around the block and keep him entertained with a bully stick or something other to chew on to help keep his mind off whatever is stressing him in the car.  
Who knows why he started it, but perhaps starting off slow again and gradually building up to longer car rides will help.
Good luck!

 

[Zhanna]

Rocky would freak out in the car if a window wasn't open, even a little.  Which made it hard when it was raining! :roll:
He would also lick the seat a lot, vet said it was to calm his tummy.  He didn't do it all the time.  He would do it more when I got nervous.  I always got nervous when we went to training class or the vet, so I think he knew where we were going because of my nerves! :roll:
Oh well.  I guess that wasn't helpful.  sorry.

 

[Cherrypie]

You can give dogs Dramamine so they don't get sick.  I would try this - my Rottie always got car sick until he outgrew it at about 18 months.  He would pace, yawn, drool and then hurl.  Dramamine fixed him right up.