Why Pfizer Wants Your Car-Sick Dog to Travel on Thanksgiving

(MoneyWatch)  Thanksgiving plus recession equals car sickness drugs for dogs, according to Pfizer (PFE). The company is urging people to bring their dogs with them as they travel for Thanksgiving dinner. Why? Because Pfizer makes a motion-sickness drug for dogs, Cerenia, so now there's no excuse for leaving Rover at home.

"In addition, this year, many families are experiencing tough economic times," said Amy Trettien, DVM, Veterinary Operations, Pfizer Animal Health. "The unconditional love from your family dog can go a long way toward helping your entire family manage that extra stress."

There's a Twitter feed (of course), featuring gems such as:

One study cites that 17% of dogs (7.2 million dogs in the U.S.) suffer from motion sickness. Want to stop it? -- http://bit.ly/i64SG

Are you feeling sufficiently guilty, dog owners, for even contemplating not traveling with your dog? My favorite part of the release is the side effects:

The common side effects seen with CERENIA are excessive drooling, lethargy and vomiting not due to motion sickness.

So this is an anti-vomiting drug that may cause vomiting? Hmmm. Looks like you could be spending Thanksgiving with the neighbors, Rover.

Image by Flickr user glenirah, CC.

• Related:
• Pfizer Scientist Stabbed Wife After Job Loss, Police Say
• As Tax Breaks for Pfizer End, Jobs Disappear