Drug approved for carsick dogs

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dogs that get queasy while traveling may get some relief with approval of the first drug yesterday to prevent vomiting.

The Food and Drug Administration said the drug, Cerenia, is the first to prevent and treat vomiting in dogs.

When used in tablet form, the Pfizer Inc. drug can prevent vomiting associated with motion sickness, the FDA said.

The agency also approved an injectable form of the drug, known generically as maropitant citrate, that it said can prevent and treat acute vomiting because of chemotherapy, parvovirus, kidney disease, pancreatitis and other causes.

Severe vomiting can lead to dehydration and death in dogs.

Both versions of drug are available only by order of a veterinarian.