Altitude sickness

[Mountain_Mama]

Does this effect dogs or only humans? We are going to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons this summer & plan on taking our lab with us. I had never thought about this until I saw a post about motion sickness, which is not a problem, thank goodness.

[nabi]

Altitude does affect dogs with cardiac issues...Izzy has both " electrical and mechanical " heart issues so cannot live in a city such as Cuenca or Quito due to her " mechanical" heart problem... we have been advised by the cardiologist to not even take her there for a short visit.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Another flatlander here: our dogs showed definite signs of "altitude" at Yellowstone/Tetons/Rocky Mtn Nat Pk (having skied at Copper Mtn, I know that true Altitude Sickness is like the flu - ugh). My dogs were simply slower, more lethargic, panting a lot and drinking lots of water. We humans were hardly doing any better, so ALL of us simply took it easy and enjoyed the trip.

[Dadio24]

We take TUMS and give the dogs a salty dog treat or jerky, then they drink freely all the way and it keeps them hydrated. We may have to stop a few more times, but who’s in a hurry when your RVing…

[Swampman597]

Be careful with it. We were out west this summer and experienced altitude sickness for the first time - it was miserable. Just to get up and pour another cup of coffee (in the RV) became a breath-taking event. Plus, our blood pressure spiked like crazy and we were taking Lisinoprils like M&M's. I think the altitude may have thrown the BP meter off calibration but my Dr. says no. Next year we are going back and I'm going to look into carrying an oxygen tank for occasional relief but will look into it further.

The dog - he loved it and got to play in snow for the first time. No issues for him, a 5 yr old Lab.

[Colo_Native]

donn0128 wrote:
Yellowstone is not high enough to worry about.

Wrong if you come from a lower attitude to a higher one it could effect you, people come to Denver from lower and have problems.

[BB_TX]

We have taken our Goldens to Colorado camping at about 8,500' each year the last 5 years and they have had no problems at all. And that is going from under 1,000' at home. Make sure they get plenty of water in the thin dry air.

[Crowe]

Yellowstone is not high enough to worry about.

WRONG. W. Yellowstone is at 7,000 feet. The park has an average elevation of 8,000 feet. Yellowstone Lake is at 7,700 feet. High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) can occur at as low as 5,000 feet depending on the individual. Animals and humans that have spent their lives at low elevations may have a harder time adapting than those who have lived at higher elevations their entire lives.

Mama, just take it slow the first couple of days and make sure puppy gets well hydrated (and you too!). Tell puppy no alcohol, either! :B

[dturm]

Yes it can. The only cases I've heard of (I live and practiced in flatlands :)) have been animals that have cardio-pulmonary issues.

Doug, DVM

[donn0128]

Yellowstone is not high enough to worry about.