Start by feeding him his meals in the car with the engine off. If he won’t enter, put his food bowl on the ground next to the car. After a week of this, he should be willing to eat in the car.
When he’s eaten enough times in the car to be relaxed there, he'll be ready for the next steps. Be sure to take them when Rufus has an empty stomach, so he doesn’t get carsick.
Invite him into the car, and start the engine. If you’re in the garage, back out and idle in the driveway for a few minutes. Then, return to the garage, and turn off the car.
Praise Rufus when he’s calm in the car but not when he gets out.
Repeat this step as many days or weeks as necessary until Rufus is relaxed and doesn’t pant, drool, or whine.
The next step is to drive around the block once and return home. Be sure Rufus has plenty of fresh air and can see out. Again, repeat this step as many times as necessary until Rufus is relaxed.
Next, drive a few minutes to a park or a friend’s home so Rufus learns to associate the car with fun excursions. Repeat these short, enjoyable trips often before gradually lengthening his car rides.
If he ever seems anxious, return to the previous step until he’s relaxed enough to proceed. Plan to desensitize Rufus to car rides over a period of weeks to months.
To help him feel comfortable, outfit him with an Adaptil collar, or spray Adaptil in the car and on a neck bandana 10 minutes before his car time. Adaptil contains the dog appeasing pheromone that mother dogs produce while their puppies nurse. It helps even adult dogs feel calm, relaxed, and secure.
Alternatively, apply a teaspoon of lavender oil to each of two cloths, and drape them over the car seats 30 minutes before each car ride, keeping the windows closed to concentrate the scent.
If these recommendations don’t solve the problem, talk with your veterinarian about Cerenia, a prescription medication for motion sickness.
In about 90 percent of cases, the cause is feline herpesvirus (also called rhinotracheitis virus) and/or calicivirus. The virus may weaken the respiratory tract, allowing bacteria such as Chlamydophila (also called Chlamydia), Mycoplasma, or Bordetella to proliferate.
Treatment depends on the severity and whether a bacterial infection accompanies the viral infection. You should make sure your kitty keeps eating and drinking. Warm his food, if necessary, to enhance its aroma.
Use a soft cloth dampened with warm water to clean his face. A vaporizer may help thin his nasal mucus and make it easier for him to breathe.
In most herpes-infected cats, the virus remains in the body forever and resurfaces if stress suppresses the immune system. However, these URI recurrences are usually mild and resolve on their own.
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