WWYD: Dog with increasingly frequent tummy troubles

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:8:02 here-YES to the chicken bones! I hate them with a passion.

When I was working with a dog trainer on my dog's reactivity, he had another guy with him (a dog walker) who had three dogs on leash, to let me dog practice walking alongside and past other dogs.

The three dogs were snapping up dog bones. The dog walker said "oh well."

Maybe check with your dog walker, just to make sure?

It really could be random tummy troubles and if they are, if you're thinking rehoming... it depends on the dog.

My rescue mutt would completely freak if I tried to rehome her. I can't even leave her elsewhere for a day. It needs to be in my own home - the dog doesn't feel safe elsewhere. And the sitter has to be really good. How will your own dog fare if she's rehomed?

She stays in the homes of friends of ours whenever we go out of town. She’s always happy to be back, but she joins the pack wherever she goes.

I don’t know that my husband would be on board with this idea, but I am at the end of my rope after another 2am wake up. DH can go back to sleep quickly, but it takes me hours to fall back asleep.

[Anonymous]

" but it takes me hours to fall back asleep."

Yes. That's me too. I don't blame you for being frustrated. One thing I'd try first, though, is a specialist or another vet, if you haven't tried that.

You really could ask for a referral to a specialist from your vet, or if you're on Facebook or Nextdoor in DC, describe this exact problem there and you'll get so many vet/speciality vet recommendations from those who have BTDT.

I know I see those in various groups on FB and vet recommendations on Nextdoor as well. Is that something you could try, if you have not yet done so?

[Anonymous]

Clear or colored bile vomit - dogs do this because they're HUNGRY. They're not underfed, but that's how some react when they think about food (cooking odors waft in) and haven't eaten in a while. You can try feeding your dog smaller meals more often.

If there's food in the vomit and your dog has diarrhea, that's likely something they ate, inside or outside, or perhaps a temporary illness. Usually something they picked up while on a walk. Talk to your dog-walker.

If it's just diarrhea (but not in your present situation), and it smells foul, it could be parasites. But I assume this won't happen, as your dog is probably on preventative worm meds already, like most dogs.

[Anonymous]

If it's diarrhea, it COULD be parasites. My dog picked up giardia despite being on all preventatives and despite me not allowing her to drink water out of communal water bowls or lap at puddles or creeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:" but it takes me hours to fall back asleep."

Yes. That's me too. I don't blame you for being frustrated. One thing I'd try first, though, is a specialist or another vet, if you haven't tried that.

You really could ask for a referral to a specialist from your vet, or if you're on Facebook or Nextdoor in DC, describe this exact problem there and you'll get so many vet/speciality vet recommendations from those who have BTDT.

I know I see those in various groups on FB and vet recommendations on Nextdoor as well. Is that something you could try, if you have not yet done so?

Please keep in mind that I also have a child in daycare, which costs me approximately $1,700/month, I pay for a walker for the dog, and DH and I both work full time outside of our home. I don’t have an unlimited budget or unlimited leave to resolve this issue with specialists. If it was my child, these costs would be covered by health insurance and my job would (I hope) understand frequent absences related to the sickness of a child. I don’t have that flexibility with my dog, even though I consider her part of my family.

[Anonymous]

OP, I looked through the thread and did not see this, are you using a crate?

I foster dogs with all kinds of issues. By using a crate when I am not at home, at least I know the vomit/diarrhea will be contained to one area. Not that it's fun but it's better than all over the couch.

Walk her early in the morning, mid day, then a scheduled walk in the evening, either you or your DH. That's it. You don't take her for walks in the middle of the night for whatever reason.

For food, I would eliminate all commercial/processed dog foods and start with the most digestible ingredients and slowly introduce more. You can google this or ask your vet. Things like rice and shredded chicken. I feed my family one of those already-cooked chickens then take the left over meat off the bone for the dog.

It may be that the vomit is just something you have to accept with this family member, but if she's using a crate it won't be as bad as if she's free in the home.

I applaud your commitment and your efforts! You could also try networking with the rescue group members you got her from, they may have advice. I know my foster group leader is very knowledgeable about dos and don'ts with dogs from a practical side. Also there's a med she's given me in the past for vomiting dogs, I don't recall the name but you could ask the vet about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:" but it takes me hours to fall back asleep."

Yes. That's me too. I don't blame you for being frustrated. One thing I'd try first, though, is a specialist or another vet, if you haven't tried that.

You really could ask for a referral to a specialist from your vet, or if you're on Facebook or Nextdoor in DC, describe this exact problem there and you'll get so many vet/speciality vet recommendations from those who have BTDT.

I know I see those in various groups on FB and vet recommendations on Nextdoor as well. Is that something you could try, if you have not yet done so?

Please keep in mind that I also have a child in daycare, which costs me approximately $1,700/month, I pay for a walker for the dog, and DH and I both work full time outside of our home. I don’t have an unlimited budget or unlimited leave to resolve this issue with specialists. If it was my child, these costs would be covered by health insurance and my job would (I hope) understand frequent absences related to the sickness of a child. I don’t have that flexibility with my dog, even though I consider her part of my family.

Ah, you're in a difficult position. But my suggestion was made with good intentions. If your DH is not really open to rehoming, I'm not sure what your options are for being able to sleep through the night without further attempts at diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:" but it takes me hours to fall back asleep."

Yes. That's me too. I don't blame you for being frustrated. One thing I'd try first, though, is a specialist or another vet, if you haven't tried that.

You really could ask for a referral to a specialist from your vet, or if you're on Facebook or Nextdoor in DC, describe this exact problem there and you'll get so many vet/speciality vet recommendations from those who have BTDT.

I know I see those in various groups on FB and vet recommendations on Nextdoor as well. Is that something you could try, if you have not yet done so?

Please keep in mind that I also have a child in daycare, which costs me approximately $1,700/month, I pay for a walker for the dog, and DH and I both work full time outside of our home. I don’t have an unlimited budget or unlimited leave to resolve this issue with specialists. If it was my child, these costs would be covered by health insurance and my job would (I hope) understand frequent absences related to the sickness of a child. I don’t have that flexibility with my dog, even though I consider her part of my family.

You have to be realistic here - either take her to SouthPaws to see internal medicine doc or put her down. Nobody will adopt an undiagnosed and untreated older dog.

[Anonymous]

My dog gets sick when she eats grass. So don’t let her do that. We make our dogs food now - turkey, brown rice and green beans. It’s a hassle but seems to sit better.

I understand your situation - my dog is 15 and we have to clean up after her at least once a day. We are close to putting her down but it’s a tough decision. Have you tried pee pads? We use those at night and she now pees/poops on those (She can’t hold it overnight due to cushings disease). It’s at least easier to clean up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:" but it takes me hours to fall back asleep."

Yes. That's me too. I don't blame you for being frustrated. One thing I'd try first, though, is a specialist or another vet, if you haven't tried that.

You really could ask for a referral to a specialist from your vet, or if you're on Facebook or Nextdoor in DC, describe this exact problem there and you'll get so many vet/speciality vet recommendations from those who have BTDT.

I know I see those in various groups on FB and vet recommendations on Nextdoor as well. Is that something you could try, if you have not yet done so?

Please keep in mind that I also have a child in daycare, which costs me approximately $1,700/month, I pay for a walker for the dog, and DH and I both work full time outside of our home. I don’t have an unlimited budget or unlimited leave to resolve this issue with specialists. If it was my child, these costs would be covered by health insurance and my job would (I hope) understand frequent absences related to the sickness of a child. I don’t have that flexibility with my dog, even though I consider her part of my family.

It sounds like you don’t want the dog anymore, so give up the dog. Are you looking for people on here to give your permission or make you feel better about it? This is not normal and despite saying you have tried many vets, many foods, etc. and nothing has solved the problem, you don’t want to admit that this is not normal dog behavior. I’m not sure any of us know what to tell you to do because you have tried “everything.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dog gets sick when she eats grass. So don’t let her do that. We make our dogs food now - turkey, brown rice and green beans. It’s a hassle but seems to sit better.

I understand your situation - my dog is 15 and we have to clean up after her at least once a day. We are close to putting her down but it’s a tough decision. Have you tried pee pads? We use those at night and she now pees/poops on those (She can’t hold it overnight due to cushings disease). It’s at least easier to clean up.

She is probably eating the grass to help her vomit.

[Anonymous]

My dog vomits bike when she is hungry. If you are already feeding twice a day, try smaller amounts three times a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also you can give her an antacid (under a good vet's direction).

This. OP, my dog has an "acid stomach" and frequently vomits bile when not treated. It's not a dietary thing.

We give her an antacid (OTC pepcid or zantac) in a pill pocket twice a day. We also give her a large dry biscuit before bed, to keep something in her stomach so she doesn't vomit. If you are not already doing this, please try it. And stop letting her eat grass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also you can give her an antacid (under a good vet's direction).

This. OP, my dog has an "acid stomach" and frequently vomits bile when not treated. It's not a dietary thing.

We give her an antacid (OTC pepcid or zantac) in a pill pocket twice a day. We also give her a large dry biscuit before bed, to keep something in her stomach so she doesn't vomit. If you are not already doing this, please try it. And stop letting her eat grass.

+2 We have a Westie who like clockwork would vomit bile every morning at 3am. Our vet said to give her a Pepcid tab in cheese or a treat pocket before we went to bed and that has mostly fixed the problem. She also gets smaller meals/snacks throughout the day to keep her stomach full. What's happening is that your dog's stomach empties and without something in there to keep the bile down, it's causing stomach upset - which then causes the vomiting. Your pup needs something to control that (and something in the stomach all the time), and Pepcid will do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also you can give her an antacid (under a good vet's direction).

This. OP, my dog has an "acid stomach" and frequently vomits bile when not treated. It's not a dietary thing.

We give her an antacid (OTC pepcid or zantac) in a pill pocket twice a day. We also give her a large dry biscuit before bed, to keep something in her stomach so she doesn't vomit. If you are not already doing this, please try it. And stop letting her eat grass.

+2 We have a Westie who like clockwork would vomit bile every morning at 3am. Our vet said to give her a Pepcid tab in cheese or a treat pocket before we went to bed and that has mostly fixed the problem. She also gets smaller meals/snacks throughout the day to keep her stomach full. What's happening is that your dog's stomach empties and without something in there to keep the bile down, it's causing stomach upset - which then causes the vomiting. Your pup needs something to control that (and something in the stomach all the time), and Pepcid will do that.

Thanks, but I have tried feeding smaller amounts, but it’s more complicated than an empty tummy. She was sick for days, and is just better within the last 24 hours. This time it included vomiting bile, refusing to eat, diarrhea, and horrible gas (which is not something that she’s usually afflicted with). I have thought about trying antacids before, but this does not seem related to acid reflux.