WWYD: Dog with increasingly frequent tummy troubles

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

They refuse to eat once the acid builds up because they know they'll vomit: this is characteristic of an acid stomach. Please try the antacid. It's an extremely cheap and easy solution.

I don't know if the diarrhea is related: it could be, if she is eating grass and other random stuff to deal with the acid. Or it could be unrelated. She could have whipworms which are common but difficult to test for (my vet just medicates for them if my dog gets the runs). Honestly the way you describe your vet leaves me thinking you need a new one.

But even if you are getting rid of the dog, please try the antacid. She is hurting and it will make her feel better.

[Anonymous]

Start giving her some yogurt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I am the quoted PP and what you describe is textbook acid stomach, including refusing to eat and the gas. Just give her a Pepcid, you have nothing to lose, it won't hurt her, and you probably already have this in your medicine cabinet. Quite bluntly, the way you earlier described your home situation, it really does sound like you are throwing up excuses and soliciting permission from the board to dump the dog, and yes, she may be better off in a home with people who are more dog savvy. But at least give the Pepcid a try for nothing more than pain relief. And, I agree with the PP that you need to find another vet - because the straight bile vomit should have been a red flag straight to an acid stomach diagnosis, for any first year vet student (just google it).

[Anonymous]

We’ve been through this with a dog and a cat. Both improved dramatically when we started feeding more frequently. We’ve also used Cerenia, a prescription veterinary antiemetic, to manage symptoms.

Does your dog have any anxiety behaviors? Do any of them manifest around its eating?