Cats are not known for being terribly excited about traveling in a car for any distance. Most find it to be a scary thing, but a percentage of our feline friends actually experience motion sickness from riding in a vehicle.
The latter can complicate the already daunting prospect of going to the vet. No one wants their pet to feel queasy or vomit, nor does anyone want to clean up a mess.
One clinician seems to have stumbled on a way that just might help mitigate the incidence of car sickness in cats.
Tom Morganti, DVM recently posted his unexpected findings on the 'Idea Exchange' section of the veterinary website DVM360.
The vet, who practices in Avon, Conn., indicated that one of his patients, a senior feline, had an ongoing problem: they vomited each time that they rode in a vehicle.
On one occasion, the cat required minor surgery and was sent home after the procedure wearing an Elizabethan collar (or E-collar, as you've probably heard it referred to). For the very first time in it's life, the animal did not experience any motion sickness-related symptoms.
The cat was transported back a short time later for suture removal -- once again wearing the collar -- and exhibited no signs of nausea or vomiting.
Morganti saw a correlation and thought that the trick might also prove to be useful in helping other pets.
"I have suggested E-collars as a treatment for car sickness for more than a dozen cats and even a couple of dogs, and, anecdotally, it seems to work," says Morganti.
Whether a pet is hopping in the vehicle for a visit with the vet or heading out to have fun with family, this simple tip could be a boon for family members, whether they have two legs, or four.
Lorrie Shaw is a freelance writer and owner of Professional Pet Sitting. Shoot her an email, contact her at 734-904-7279 or follow her adventures on Twitter.
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