14 yr old suddenly fearful of long car rides

[periwinkle]

My 14 yr. old yorkie started having major anxiety in the car, panting, shaking and twice having diarrhea on both my husband and myself in the car. This started when she turned 13. She used to be great in the car. We drove from Mich. to Florida in March and she shook and panted for 12 hours non stop. The next day we drove seven hours, and she was slightly better, probably from exhaustion.We gave her potty breaks every three hours and exercised her. I don’t know what the problem is, maybe she does not see as well, maybe it’s because it’s out of her routine, and she does’t know where she is going, maybe she is nauseous.
I made a platform so she can see out the window.

I am going to the vet for her heart worm test tomorrow. Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks for your input.

[Britster]

Jackson has always had some anxiety in the car. It's gotten worse as he's gotten older though, I'd say. He's always excited to go places but once he's in the car, he can take 30 minutes to really "settle" more and not be panting a lot etc. It's hard to explain... because he's not to the point where he gets diarrhea or throws up or anything like that but he can definitely be anxious.

99% of the time he's in the car, he goes somewhere fun and good that he enjoys, so I don't understand it. He's always such a good dog in public and loves being with me so the car rides are worth it. Anyway... for long rides (we went to FL from MD last year, and to Myrtle Beach as well) the vet prescribed Trazadone. It works great. Takes the edge off but doesn't make him loopy. He relaxes & lays down instead of constantly wanting to look out the window or panting etc. I find if I give it 30 mins prior, it lasts for about 4 hours. I also use Vetriscience Composure Pro - I think it makes a slight difference.

He was his worst when we did an RV trip to FL with my dad. He was the same way - didn't settle the ENTIRE drive.. ugh. it was stressful. That was when I researched the medicine and talked to vet. He is a lot more comfortable in my Jeep. The RV is very loud and bumpy.

[matese]

My now passed baby at the age of 14 started started loosing her sight and hearing, even taking her to the bank where she got treats, or friends house where she was the center of attention caused her some anxiety as she was being taken away from her comfort zone...Home. Your baby may be starting to loose sight, not knowing her familiar surroundings causing her stress and fear. With my girl I just stopped taking her anywhere other then the groomer and vet.

[Wylie's Mom]

It could be that she has lost some hearing and/or sight and this scares her quite a bit. I'd look into giving her an anti anxiety med from the Vet or a tranquilizer. I wouldn't hesitate using a safe medication if it meant less stress on her. Keep in mind *also* that many senior dogs get dementia - and in that case you'd want to discuss Anipryl w/ your Vet.

[LunarBerry]

Perhaps they are more motion sensitive? I know that as I get older, I am much more sensitive to motions than I was when younger. Something to calm them, like others have said or if they seem nauseous then anti-nausea treatment.