Acid reflux
Submitted by Annie Zoey and ... on October 31, 2011 - 9:34pmAny help would be appreciated.
Two months ago Cain started licking air. Last year he did this and then stopped, however, this year it has not stopped and actually got worse.
Two trips to the vet and I had change his food to low protein and fat. Started him on Natural Balance Vegan which is what my Cocker Spaniel was eating. The meds she gave was Gastrosoothe. No change. Now he has started to vomit, every now and then, where as he never did. Vet took him off Gastrosoothe and out him on Prilosec. After three days, he vomited last night at 4 am. He was at the vet with me just on Thursday cause he vomited Wednesday at 4am. Not bile, part of his dinner.
Anyone have any ideas? I am losing it since my Cocker Spaniel lost her battle with all of her issues just last Thursday and I am freaking out that he is sick too now!!!!
Licking air....
....can mean an irritation under the tail. Have you checked there?
Vomitting can be many things or nothing--some Bulldogs just vomit now and then. But, you know your dog, and I guess you have reason to suspect there's something more going on? I'd try Pepcid (rather Walmart's Equate Famatodine). I would drop one pill on food morning and night for several days, then just once daily on the evening meal and hopefully be able to stop after a short while.
Good luck!
Thanks......should have said before the Gastrosoothe...
We did pepcid once a day and even some days twice.
I did check his tail. There is nothing unusual going on there. When I brought him to the vet and she examined his abdomen, he groaned when she got to his upper GI tract that is why we feel it is a gastro issue.
Do dogs with tail pocket issues lick air and drawl enough to create a large wet patch on their blankets? I knew the licking air/tail could be an issue but I did not think that involved drewling.
air licking....
Sorry, don't have experience with the air licking but have read it can be caused by an itch they can't reach, usually at tail/ I imagine a lot of licking could be accompanied by some drool. Hope you find your answers soon.
Annie
I'm so sorry Cain is having issues. When Maizy was young, she had acid reflux. I would give her a pepcid every morning. Then, I realized it was her food that was causing the reflux. I can't remember what food she was on at the time but she hasn't had any issues since changing foods.
We've had the excessive drooling problem with Chester...
He has spells where he will drool for two hours and there are puddles everywhere. We give him a Slippery Elm every morning, that helps soothe the stomach and intestinal tract. Sometimes a GasEx will help also. He used to throw up a lot, but the Slippery Elm seems to help.
Annie, I don't have much help for you....
But I will be praying for you guys.
Have you tried giving 3 smaller meals a day rather than 2 larger ones? It may be digeting a larger amount is harder on teh stomach that smaller amounts on a regular basis. I would try to spread the meals out at about 8 hour intervals, rather than twice a day at 12 hour intervals. And try a food change if you can...that may be part of the issue as well. Protein amounts should be checked, too. I am pretty sure you already know all this, I am just thinking of things that I know of that might help.
Amy and Sophia
Amy......do you know....
what a normal vs low percentage of protein is?
When Friday was diagnosed with kidney failure I checked the "prescription" diets and then found a food that was around the same amount of protein but yet low in fat.
Also, do you know what kind of protein is more easliy digested? I was thinking Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato
Annie, normal would be approximately 25%
or lower. NB Fish and Sweet Potato is a good food, so is Taste of the Wild Salmon. I feed either that or the TOTW Lamb. Sophie tolerates both really well. As to which is more easily digested I am not totally sure, but would say the fish.
Good luck, so sorry you are having issue with both of your kids.
Amy and Sophia
Amy....about Friday.....
: (
she passed away last Thursday. I am heartbroken : (
Oh Annie, I didn't know.
I am so sorry....my heart is broken for you. Many hugs old friend, many hugs.
Amy and Sophia