[weezerweeks]

My 9 year old yorkie every 2 or 3 months has problems. He gags and sometimes throws up bile,making me think it’s a reflux problem but then he goes crazy pacing trying to eat grass, shrubs anything. My vet says it’s not bad enough to go to UGA for an endoscope. Usually a couple of cerenia stops it but Sept 12 th he wouldn’t stop. My vet put him on reglan twice a day for ten days and 5 mg of Pepcid. He just finished it yesterday and he was fine while on it. He says it doesn’t have anything to do with his diet. I cook different protein and give him THK preference and Dr. Harveys veg- to- bowl. I add peter dobias’s gut sense probiotic and prozyme digestive enzyme. I also give him a teaspoon of kefir every night. I am paranoid because in 2010 I lost a yorkie to renal failure. Should I wait and see how often he does this or should I go see an internist. I titer and do not give any vaccines or flea protection. I only give Heartgard plus because he’s a rescue and when I got him he had he. The treatment was horrible and I live in south Ga. any ideas or suggestions of test my vet could do. Thanks for reading this long post.

[anonymous]

Go to the vet, not just when he is sick. Annual checkups and lab work. Get a diagnosis and see what the vet advises.
Blood in the feces is not normal, eating grass is not good, something is wrong.
Best of luck.

PS: /disclaimer-and-disclosure/ excerpt below
Please be advised that we not veterinarians. For this reason, this website was never meant to be used as a substitute for sound professional advice.
Because the health of your dog can be directly affected by what you read here, you should always consult with a licensed veterinary professional before taking any specific action.

[Susan]

Hi Susana,
Stop feeding the Acana, Acana is probably too rich for a dog with intestinal stress, it has organ meats, Acana is excellent for a healthy dog that doesn’t have intestinal problems.

Sounds like your boy has a few food intolerances & there’s an ingredients in the Hills I/d formula & Acana formula he’s sensitive too, this happened with my Patch when I rescued & adopted him 5yrs ago, he had rumbling, grumbling LOUD bowel noises, I’d hear him in another room, these loud noises are gases rumbling thru the bowel & can be painful, Patch would do the same eat & eat grass, then his vet said only let him eat about 2 mintues worth of grass then stop him eating grass, the long pieces of grass can tangle together & cause a blockage or the grass can cause diarrhea…
I have found a dry bit of white toasted bread is best to give when these noises are happening, dry toast seems to settle the stomach also liquid Mylanta, 1 teaspoon 5mls seems to settle the stomach & bowel aswell & stops the loud rumbling bowel noises..
Once you work out what foods he is sensitive too these rumbling bowel noises will stop…
Patch also had streaks of blood thru his poos some days, this was cause he was eating an ingredient that he was sensitive too & I didnt know it was irratating his bowel then 1 night he had diarrhea that turned into blood water, I rushed him to the vet 8am his vet said looks like he has IBD cause I had been there a few times before with stomach/bowel problems. Patch was put on a Hydrolzed vet diet Royal Canine HP & Metronidazole for 21 days the bowel needs to heal & rest but he cont digest the Royal Canine HP vet diet ended up causing other problems….
Patch hasn’t had no more problems as long as Patch doesn’t eat Chickpeas, Lentils, Barley, Oats, Beet Pulp for his bowel & Chicken Tapioca & Carrots cause itchy smelly yeasty paws ears & skin problems… Food Sensitivities/Intolerances can cause gas/wind, farts, sloppy poo, diarrhea, smelly yeasty ears, paws, skin, itchy skin, bum rubbing on ground, just depends on the dog….

Both of the vet you saw have given the Metronidazole which was good to heal his bowel but the vets should of prescribed him a limited ingredient kibble that was chicken & grain free either the Hills D/D Potato & Venison or the Potato & Duck limited ingredient formulas or the Royal Canine Select proteins, Potato & Rabbit etc…

Go to “Tractor Supply Co & look for the “4Health” Sensitive Stomach it has Egg & Potato very easy to digest limited ingredients & will help his blowel rest & heal…

Don’t feed any more kibbles that are higher then 27%-protein or high in Kcals per cup no higher then 380 Kcals per cup & don’t have too many ingredients cause there will be more chance that he’s sensitive to an ingredient the more ingredients there is & he’ll react…

then when he’s doing really well try the “4Health Sensitive Skin” it has limited ingredients & has Hydrolyzed Salmon & Pea flour very easy to digest ingredients, the Acana might have been too high in protein & very rich high in Kcals per cup, when a kibble is high in Kcals over 400 the kibble is more dense & harder to digest & when a dog has a sensitive stomach bowel it’s too hard to break down….
His smelly breath sounds like his stomach bowel is not working properly the Metronidazole will fix ths problem, my vet writes out a few repeat scripts of teh Metronidazole & I just take teh scripts to a chemist & get out, my boy still takes Metronidazole on & off if he starts getting his smelly fermenting breath, acid reflux or if I see he’s starting to do sloppy poos for more then 2 days I re start him on the Metronidazole 1 x 200mg tablet every 12 hours with food for 10-14 days then the next 10 days just give him 1x 200mg tablet with his dinner that’s for a 40lb +18kg dog but since he’s been eating the TOTW Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb he’s been doing really well, I do rotate & feed other brands but this has taken me nilly 4 yrs to get Patch gut healthy again & if Im feeding him another brand kibble & he starts getting stomach/bowel symptoms I put him back on her TOTW Roasted Lamb kibble & he goes good again….finally after 2 yrs of trying all the vet diets I had joined a few face book groups for Canines with IBD, EPI & dogs were doing really well on ” 4Health” formula’s & “Taste Of The Wild’ Sierra Mountain, Roasted Lamb formula, TOTW Lamb has limited ingredients only has 1 meat protein Lamb, Sweet potato. potato, peas, egg, very easy to digest….

Always read the ingredient list before buying a new kibble, read what ingredients are in the Acana & the I/d formula & try & aviod these proteins & ingredients for now.. Continue with the Metronidazole stop the Acana take it back for a refund, only feed a very bland diet like the 4Health Sensitive Stomach or Sensitive Skin formula’s for now… or try the TOTW Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb these formula’s do not have Chickpeas or lentils as these ingredient are harder to digest when te dogs stomach & bowel isnt working properly…
Good-luck keep me up dated with what is happening, hopefully he’ll be doing firm poos in a few days..

[Susana M]

My beagle have had history of digestive problems. Once I took to the hospital because he ate something ( we assumed was a whole plantain) they did a stomach reatment with charcoal.
A year ago I took him to the vet because he had bloody stools, in that occasion he recommended I/D science and diet low fat for digestive problems and sulfasalazine, he got better. Doc said that the problem was that he used to eat everything, which is eventually true. Besides that he gave him a dewarmer just in case. Second episode happened and the same treatment was given. I have to say that during this problem he looks down and his stomach makes noises that I’m able to hear from 10 feet of distance. If I take him out he eats grass like for 20 min.
At the third episode I brought my Beagle to another vet, they did same test on him and X-rays. Nothing abnormal. This vet recommended same food ( I/D low fat disgestive science and diet hills) and metronidazole. The point is that he had episodes every two o three weeks.
I had a concern about the food because I noticed that he was getting fat and very bad odor on his mouth. I read some bad reviews about that food and I decided to changed to Arcana Heritage, I did the transition during a week, but he is getting worse.

Please help me

[anonymous]

You’re welcome.
I provided information about sodium via the link in my second post in this thread, including below:

“Here is the correct sodium levels for all of our Zignature formulas:”
Salmon-0.72%
Venison-0.60%
Kangaroo-0.67%
Whitefish-0.51%
Duck-0.70%
Lamb-0.62%
Trout & Salmon-0.57%
Turkey-0.54%
Zssential-0.52%

Also:
Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice

best-low-sodium-dog-food

I have found that my dog with allergies does best on a limited ingredient diet, Zignature whitefish is our current favorite, in conjunction with other treatments (veterinary dermatologist) I avoid potato too, some kibbles are loaded with it.
Nutrisca is another good food, with no potato, you may find it to be a bit more reasonable.
However, from what you have described your dog’s allergies sound mild/seasonal.
In example: skin intact, no scabs, no pruritus, no ear infections.
I would continue to work closely with your vet, there are more treatment options available now, if these things occur. If those paw pad wipes are effective, I would continue, especially after the dog has walked on wet grass covered in morning dew.

[Susan]

Hi Lori J,
are you washing your dog paws in “Malaseb” medicated shampoo, the Malaseb is excellent for yeasty paws, skin & kills the yeast & bacteria & can be used daily as it’s a mild shampoo, it keeps the skin beautiful soft & moist….
You have to work out what foods your dog is sensitive too & what is causing the yeasty paws, it might be a grass allergy? it may be food sesnitivities? that’s a MYTH about potatoes all starchy foods causing yeast in dogs, it’s only when the dog has a senstivities to certain ingredients it starts to react itch & scratch & get yeasty smelly paws, ears, skin, gas, sloppy poo’s etc.. Yeast happens when the dog has become very sensitive to an ingredient he’s eating or environment alergies.
Start your boy on a good probiotic as well, Probiotics are best given inbetween meal, when stomach acid is low in stomach, its normally when you wake first thing of a morning or I just give inbetween meal, I buy & givemy boy the “Yakult” probiotic drink, you buy at the supermarket, Patch gets 1/4 & I drink the rest, cost about 40 -50c a day they come 5 in a pack sold in the fridge section where the milk normally is.

Have a look at “Canidae” the Pure Formula’s, the “Pure Meadow” Senior is really good formula to feed a senior dog you’ll see a big change within 3 weeks, or look at the “Pure Wild” Boar, they are money back guaranteed if you have any problems & email for teh sodium % but I’m pretty sure the sodium is low here’s the link sometimes it’s best to pay a little bit more for a dogs food then it saves the dog not getting itchy yeasty skin & an expensive trip to the vets & medications.
Canidae do make a cheaper food called “Under the Sun” that also has had great reviews. https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products

Your best to join this group on facebook called “Dogs issues, allergies and other information” group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/240043826044760/
& get some correct advise from a Vet Dermatoligist that specializes in the skin & dogs with other health problems & other people that have dealt with the same health problems as your boy has, there’s heaps of really good advice & if any advice given is in correct, Admin steps in & corrects it, epecially about potatoes causing yeast in dogs, its one of the most posted posts cause of all the lies on the internet, it’s a really positive group it’s also has a Dermatologist, Karen Helton Rhodes DVM DACVD who frequents the group & she has her own f/b group called “Canine Skin Solutions inc” she’ll answer any questions you may have. Here’s one of her links “Facts & Myths about Yeast Dermatitis in Dogs” http://www.healthyskin4dogs.com/blog/2015/9/8/facts-myths-about-yeast-dermatitis-in-dogs
Your best to wash paws daily in an anti fungal medicated shampoo like “Malaseb” & wash off any allergens on his paws & any yaest off his paws to make him comfortable & to feed a diet that your boy hasn’t eaten much off or eaten before so he probably won’t be sensitive too those ingredients but it’s best to do elimination food diet & work out what ingredients he’s sensitive too ??
I use creams on my boy yeasty paws, I have found creams to work the best, apply after you have wash his paws, my vet recommends Hydrocortisone 1% cream it’s sold in Walmart probably under a different name, you lightly apply before bed & during the day if dog seems stressed about his paws & is chewing & licking them, then you can put on some socks, I use those elastic bandages, you cut amount needed & use the bandage tape to stay on, this is if the socks keep falling off but this is only needed if he’s licking his paws thru the day or night & won’t stop his licking them making his paws worse & red, best the air gets to his paws thru the day, I also use another cream called “Sudocrem” of a morning before he goes outside, Sudocrem is in the baby section or sold on Amazon or Ebay, the Sudocrem acts a barrier & protects the paws from allergens like grass, dirt etc when walking outside & the Sudocrem stops the paws from itching & stops the reddness, Sudocrem is for Dermatitis, Eczema, Nappy Rash, Pressure Sores in Australia it’s a very popular cream for dogs with skin problems & babies as well at a good price around $8 & it last forever, you can look up the ingredients & try & find a cream that has very similair ingredients, a lady from the F/B Dogs issues & allergies group found a cream with very similiar ingredients to the Sudocrem that worked for her dog itchy yeasty paws but I can’t remember the name of teh cream, I should of written it down, once you change Teds diet, start bathing & washing his paws & body at least twice a week & using the creams, you’ll see a big difference in Ted he’ll be happier comfortable & acting like a young pup, my neighbour has an aging dog as soon as he started to eat the new Canidae Pure Meadow Senior kibble after just a couple of weeeks he was like a young pup again, his skin & coat looks heaps better & nice shinny, no more bold patches, his fur has all grown back, he’s like a different dog, just changing a dogs diet can make a real big difference….
Good-Luck hope Ted feels better real soon, I have to go & bath Patch its his weekly bath today, now I have everything under control he’s doing real well, I hate giving him baths but its just something I have to do other wise I have a itchy whinging dog telling me he’s itchy he starts to get cranky rubbing & slidding his body on the carpet, he has seasonal enviornment allergies & food sensitivities….
Spring has just started in Australia & it’s going to be a hot Summer, you might find Ted is better thru the cooler Winter months as long as he’s eating the right diet he isn’t sensitive too & then Spring/Summer comes around & Ted starts to get real itchy & smelly again, that’s Seasonal Environment Allergies..

[Susan]

Hi Shari G,
have you tried any acid medications?? Drolling is a sign of wanting to vomit,
my 8 nilly 9 yr old Staffy was doing the excate thing as your dog is doing in video having a licking attacks 2 weeks ago, he suffers with IBD & gets bad Acid Reflux & does take Omperazole (Prilosec) now for his acid reflux attacks but last month when he had had 2 licking attacks in 2 in 1 month I noticed he didnt drink his water after eating his 7am feed when he came back from his 7.30am walk, he eats 5 small meals a day 7am, 9am, 12pm, 5pm & 8pm & I’d say his kibble started to be digested in his stomach & cause he hadn’t drank his morning drink of water it has caused him to get his bad acid reflux & start doing his mouth licking attack, I let him eat some grass to push the acid back down throat, then I gave him his ant acid medication “Losec” it was due 8.30am around the same time he started having his licking attack then I gave him a small meal 20mins later & he was better…..
As we age we doný make as much Hydrochloric acid in the stomach so our food isnt being digested properly like it should be & we get bad acid reflux, google “Hypochlorhydria” it’s low stomach acid that causes acid reflux, ask vet can you try Omperazole (Prilosec) 20mg giving once a day it doesn’t have to be given before food like the other ant acid meds do as it’s a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) & his diet what is he eating?? make sure it’s low in fiber low carbs, as high fiber & high carbs cause acid reflux especially if they are eating a dry kibble, then if after taking the Prilosec & change of diet hasn’t worked then maybe look into other options, he’s 9 & 1/2 yrs old, thats excellent age my Boxer had Mast Cell Cancer at age 9 & she too was suffering from bad acid reflux but back then I didnt know much about acid reflux until I rescued Patch my Staffy & got a really good vet that specializes in IBD…
Please ask your vet about Hypochlorhydria & next time it happens again have some liquid Mylanta in the fridge waiting & give him 1 teaspoon straight away. Fits/seizures do not go on & on for a long time, acid reflux does….
I hope you find some answer’s cause its an awful thing to watch happen, I even start having a panic attack watching Patch…

[Lauren S]

Information overload coming, but I want to answer all your questions!

He has been eating Royal Canin Low-Fat GI canned food at the recommendation of my regular vet, who said it’s better to have him eating something, even if it means we’re not solving the food allergy problem right now.

When he was REALLY sick with IMTP, we would do boiled chicken and rice but have since learned that chicken is the most common food allergy for dogs. We’re not sure if it was helping or hurting him since he doesn’t show any outward symptoms of this.

We stopped the Prednisone very, very slowly. We tapered every 3-4 weeks at 25%, eventually going from 60mg to 5mg. He was at 5mg for awhile until this lipase issue popped up, so then we tapered again to 0mg.

The vets are 100% sure he has IMTP, but they — like in most IMTP cases — don’t know what the cause was. He had a very rare lump on his shoulder that was removed in January. He wouldn’t stop bleeding during/after the surgery, which is how we discovered the low platelets. NC State suspects that the lump is what triggered his immune system.

We only stopped feeding Taste of the Wild because of the high lipase number. At the time, we thought he had acute pancreatitis so our vet put him on the low-fat food and started doing the fluids to flush his pancreas. He LOVES Taste of the Wild but I don’t think we can switch back to that (at this point, anyway) because if he does have a food allergy, it’s definitely to an ingredient in Taste of the Wild since that was all he was eating.

He used to be on probiotics because he had some diarrhea that would not resolve during his heavy duty IMTP treatment. We also put him on pumpkin. We thought it was caused by all of the drugs he was on because he needed a good 15-20 pills a day, but maybe not. I’ll be calling my vet today to get him the probiotics again.

He isn’t showing ANY symptoms except for an occasional desire to eat grass. He doesn’t try to eat any in the yard, but will grab a bite or two when we’re on walks. Otherwise, he acts completely normal. I think this is why the vets are stumped. With such a high lipase number and everything else being normal, my regular vet referred us to NC State because he thought he must have a tumor on his pancreas and we would need a biopsy. Prior to doing their testing, NC State said this is either “raging pancreatitis or raging pancreatic cancer.” Their testing found that it was neither. They said they had never seen this happen and that most dogs would be crashing at this point.

I will definitely look into the foods you recommended. It’s so tough to figure out what to do next since he doesn’t have symptoms and it can take 6 weeks to see a change in his bloodwork.

One more thing to note. When we discovered his high lipase number, it was at 5,000. After fluids, it dropped to 3,200. We thought he was getting better. A week later, we were back up to 5,000 and went to NC State. The next day, his lipase was 1,000. NC State said it is HIGHLY unusual to jump that much. A week after that, he was at 4,200. It’s all over the place, which adds another layer to things.

[Susan]

Hi Rita,
yes just recently Patch has had a 3 swollowing episodes after eating his breakfast in the last 3-4 months but I noticed it only happens around 8am when he hasn’t drank any water after eating his breakfast & gone for his morning walk, he just comes home & goes straight to bed & has a sleep then wakes up 20-30mins later & comes to me swollowing & gulping & wants to go outside & eat grass also I haven’t giving him his Losec yet, I give him his Losec around 8.30-9am, he has been taking 20mg Losec 20mg every day now for about 18mths now, I’d say Patches swollowing gulping is from the kibble swelling in his stomach & there’s no water & te dry kibble comes back up into throat into his mouth or his Losec dose needs to be increased & 1/2 a 20mg Losec tablet needs to be given at night 12 hours after his morning dose was given, I’ll have to talk with his Vet but first I’m making sure its not cause he doesn’t drink water after eating his breakfast & morning walk …. but I think it’s from not drinking any water after eating breakfast cause this is the only times it seems to happen around 8am, I make sure after he eats breakfast & when we comes home from his
7.15am walk, he has a little drink of his water, I take over a bowl of water if he’s gone straight to his bed when we come home, I’m noticing he is becoming lazy or his lower back might be hurting him we have just found a weird bone growth out of the top of his back leg into his spine, we thought it’s not bothering him but after watching him closely thise last 2 months thru Winter I think this bone growth might be bothering him, Staffys are so hard to read, they don’t show when they have pain…

I would give the Prilosec & Metronidazole twice a day for how long vet has prescribe it. How long has your vet prescribe the Metronidazole & Prilosec for?? 21 days is best, so the Metronidazole can kill the bad bacteria living in the stomach walls, then when the Metronidazole course is finished continue giving the Prilosec but only give 1 x 20mg Prilosec a day in the morning, it’s best to give Losec of a morning, works better my Gastro Dr said & so did Patches IBD vet, Prilosec doesn’t have to be taking before food like other ant acid meds need to be taken… At the moment you’d be giving the Metronidazole with food & giving them together…
This is awful to watch but go on Google & google “My Dog having Seizure” they don’t gulp or swollow & if 1 dog licks mouth in video its cause he’s feeling sick from the seizure, he’s not gulping & swollowing like my boy does….
When the acid comes up their throat into their mouth, they don’t know what to do so they try & swollow & swollow the acid, they need either a dry biscuit or some liquid Mylanta to soothe the acid reflux back into the stomach or grass to vomit up all the acid… I really think once your dog takes his Prilosec daily he’ll be better & more comfortable..& watch everything he does & when does he have his swollowing & gulping attack is it after eating is it when he hasnt eaten all night etc…

[Lauren S]

My 5 year old walker/fox hound has been battling IMTP since January. He was on Prednisone for this up until a few weeks ago.

Last month, we did some extra blood work on him to determine why he had rapidly gained 25 pounds. We were being very careful about feeding him, so I was concerned that something else was going on besides the effect the steroids had on him.

His blood work came back with his lipase at 5000 (normal is about 100). Nothing else on his blood work was off, and we confirmed with a CPL test that the lipase was coming from his pancreas and not somewhere else in his body. My vet gave him a course of antibiotics, switched him to Royal Canin Low-Fat GI canned food, put him on fluids for 3 days, and retested. His lipase was about the same, so he referred us to NC State.

NC State suspected raging pancreatic cancer, but found nothing to indicate this. They ruled out pancreatitis since his amylase levels are normal and he has no symptoms except occasionally trying to eat grass. His ultrasound was clear, as was his additional bloodwork. They suspect he has a food allergy. We tried giving him Royal Canin HP but he refused to eat it. They also took him off of the Prednisone he was on (5 mg) so we’re hoping that doesn’t cause his platelets to crash.

1. Does anyone know what could be causing this besides a food allergy? He doesn’t really show any other signs of an allergy and he had been on Taste of the Wild for a long time before all of this.

2. What hypoallergenic/novelty protein foods are good to try?

[Shannon W]

I have finally figured out something that works for our Boxer when she does this swallowing/gulping/licking episode. I hope that it will help some of you as well. I have tried so many different things, such as massaging her to relax her, taking recommendations from her vet, letting her go out and eat grass, etc., but nothing has worked until now. As soon as she starts to do this, I give her something to eat in order to make her swallow. I use milkbones, cheese, or something of that sort. After she takes a few bites and has swallowed a few times, it goes away.

[Nadine H]

I stay away from any fish based product because both of my pups have had a UTI with struvite crystals. Fish is high in purine, also beef. But that isnt what you’re asking, first of all it’s been proven that protein is not an issue but overfeeding is. Actually the Horizon Pulsar is a really good food, If he’s doing well on it I would keep him on it.So many use a salmon based product and love it.
Easy for me to say when I’m all over the place trying to figure out whats best for my danes, lol. My 13 month has loose stools from any grainfree, my younger girl could eat rocks and her poop would be ok. One of my goals has been to find a food that creates firm stools for my 13 month old guy because scraping poo out of the grass isn’t something I enjoy.
I’m still on the fence regarding the Purina ProPlan and the Farmina. Every site you go to that are into holistic type foods rate purina at the bottom and pretty much say it’s the worst food you can feed but there are hundreds and hundreds of people that have good results with it.
I’m adding a little to the Framina when I feed so we’ll see how it goes.

[Susan]

Hi Therese,
sounds like she has stomach or panreatitis problems & the cesars food probably doesn’t upset her stomach any cause any pain or whatever she is having, I would NOT start any treatment for her heartworm yet, it will kill her, vet needs to work out what’s wrong with her stomach first & why she is hesitant to eat, something is wrong, Golden Labradors LOVE their food….
I got a rescue 5yrs ago & he was the same in very bad condition, but he was the opposite & ate everything in site, even cat poo, after vomiting weekly, doing bloody diarrhea, sloppy poo’s, acid reflux, up thru the night with rumbling, grumbling bowel noises, in the end I asked the vet can we do Endoscope + Biopsies, vet put camera down his throat into the stomach & did 2 Biopsies, you need the biopsies cause when the vet looked into Patches stomach everything looked excellent, there was no stomach ulcers like we thought, but what I thought he had, he had, waiting & waiting for biopsy results Patch had the Helicobacter-Pylori & IBD, he was put on triple therapy meds for 21 days, Metronidazole, Amoxiccilin to kill the bad bacteria that lives in the stomach walls & Prilosec for the acid reflux the Helicobacter causes, Patch did real well while taken the triple therapy meds then once the 21 day course finished it all came back again within 1 week of stopping the meds, it was a nightmare in the end now Patch takes 20mg Prilosec every morning & only takes the Metronidazole 200mg for 10-14 days when needed, if he’s doing sloppy poos or diarrhea, starts feeling sick everyday & whinging for me to rub his stomach/pancreas area & is eating & eating grass…

Can you ask the rescue group do they have some money in their budget for her to see a Gastro specialist or a vet that knows about stomach/bowel problems, in Australia the rescue groups post picture of the very sick dog & asks for help on their face book page & raise some money so dog can be treated by vet & do the Endoscope + Biopsies need to shop around cause there’s cheaper vets around that do Endoscope & Biopsies, people will help with donations…..
I wanted to do the same give Patch back to rescue group so he got another foster carer, he broke my heart, I couldn’t give him back cause I thought will the new foster carer care for him like I do or will he just be thrown out the back yard again & suffer & the rescue group puts dog up for adoption & someone else gets stuck with the problem hoping they will pay all the vet bills, Patch was weeing blood the day I got him from teh pound, the rescue group had to paid $1,500 for 2x ultrascan, desexing, vacination, vet diet wet & dry food the dissolve his crystals, medications, at that stage he just had Urinary crystal, the rescue vet said he must of gotten infection from being used to breed, I thought everything was done all fixed, he’s all healthy now & I adopted him but it was just the beginning of my sleepless nights the vet office I ended up staying with felt sorry for Patch & me for adopting a sick 4yr old Staffy + all the vet nurses were Staffy lovers & my bet did alot of discount rates & now my vet writes out repeats for his prescriptions so I can get his meds from a chemist it was costing $120 for 1 month of Prilosec, now all I pay is $8 & the Metronidazole only cost $7 when I need it I keep spare in cupboard….

I would be only feeding low fat wet food, nothing over 3% in fat, the fat & protein & isnt like it is in a dry kibble, wet raw & cooked hasnt been converted to dry matter (Kibble) yet, Do NOT feed any more dry kibble, it must make whatever she has, worse, like my boy the kibble made him worse with his IBD (Stomach) in the beginning till we worked out what was wrong & I found a kibble that works for him.
Read what is the fat % in the Cesars wet food??? also start boiling potato or boil sweet potato whatever firms her poos up best & start adding say 2-3 cesars foil tin & the same amount boiled mash potato do not add any butter or mil to the mashed potato & mix potato all thru with the Cesars food, maybe start off with only 1/2 mashed potato with her food cause she may not trust the potato yet, whatever she has got, has cause her alot of pain & she doesn’t trust food no more… I have to go the Pet Shop it’s closing, I have to pick up something, look what are the ingredients & fat % in these Cesars foods she etas & post, stop trying all type of foods for now, I’ll try & find a similair food to the Cesars same ingredients once you post, that is in a bigger tin size & low in fat, maybe someone else knows of a lower fat wet tin food similair to Cesars food….
Do you shop at “Costco” ?? Costco has their “Kirklands Signature” Nature Domain wet tin & its cheap & looks pretty good, click on “Reviews” look for Kirkland, Signature Nature Domain canned foods & click on link & scroll down a bit & there’s a photo of Turkey & Pea stew looks good & you can mash with boiled Potato this will work out cheaper till vet works out whats wrong, also ask the vet can you try a 21 day course of Metronidazole?? take back the vet diet food she won’t eat for refund & ask can you try 2 tins of the Hills I/d Canine Chicken & Vegetables Stew, Digestive Care wet tin food, do not get the Hills I/d Low Fat, Rice, Vegetables Chicken stew Restore, they look similair, the I/d Low fat Restore wet tin is full of rice & fish oil, the I/d canine Chicken & vegetable Stew Digestive Care has less ingredients & has more chucks of meat no fish oil, fish oil can make them feel sick, see if after being taking the 21 day course of Metronidazole if she starts to get better after 4-5th day, it has to be taken with a meal every 12 hours…
What is her name??

[Dave R]

Lots of people have said their Acana dry has caused Kidney problems once they moved to Kentucky. I am wondering what others think of Acana grasslands formula and its use of catfish meal. Are they not bottom dwellers and suck up PCB’s and all kinds of crap in the silt at the bottom.

Other than that it’s regional, not outsourcing from China an looks great! I have a medium sized poodle mix.

My other choices are dry orijen which also looks great but has a lot of protein, Koha for wet food or natures logic wet food or Nulo which seems like a great dry food, and a honest kitchen topper.

So confusing and hard to choose.

[anonymous]

Hope this helps:
By Klaus Loft, DVM
Angell Dermatology Service
Anyone who suffers debilitating environmental allergies tied to changing seasons, pet dander or household dust mites knows first-hand the misery of a scratchy throat, itchy eyes or painful rashes.
Not everyone knows, however, that our pets can experience similar allergic reactions — and other very bothersome dermatological issues. But our pets need not suffer in silence. Modern veterinary science has evolved such that advanced, comprehensive treatments are now available to treat a range of skin conditions.
Top pet dermatological issues
Our four-legged friends suffer from some of the same skin issues as we do — and several that we do not. The most common conditions we see at Angell include:
•Parasites, such as mites, fleas and mange (scabies)
•Infectious diseases, such as Staphylococcal pyoderma (“Staph”) skin infections, yeast and fungal infections and skin fold infections
•Systemic diseases, such as autoimmune diseases
•Skin cancer, such as Squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphoma, Mast cell tumors
•Allergies, such as flea allergy dermatitis, adverse food reactions, environmental allergies, etc.
All of these conditions can become serious and, if untreated, dramatically reduce quality of life. But the tremendous strides made in veterinary innovation, however, is very good news for our pets. Specifically, the testing and treatments for allergies now rivals human healthcare in its sophistication, quality of care and long-term health outcomes.
Unlike humans, dogs and cats cannot tell us about their dermatological health issues. So we as pet owners must look for the signs. The most common indicators that a pet is suffering from some kind of allergy involve frequent episodes of ear infections, red raised or open sores on the skin, constant licking or biting of paws or groin — sometimes causing wounds that will not go away.
Allergies present a particular challenge because there can be hundreds (even thousands) of potential allergens that impact pet health, from foods to pollen from grasses, weeds, trees, dust mites and more. Today’s specialty veterinary hospitals have access to the very latest diagnostic tests to get to the bottom of what’s ailing our pet. Among these tests is the Intra Dermal Test (IDT).
IDT is generally considered the gold standard of testing for identifying allergens that cause pets to suffer from chronic skin and/or ear diseases. IDT involves injections of a series of concentrated allergens into the skin to determine which of them generate allergic reactions in a given animal. The use of fluorescein — a chemical that illuminates the inflammation caused by the injected allergens in order to visualize the strength of individual reactions — is key to accurately diagnosing pet allergies, and is just one of the many ways veterinarians use new technologies to improve care and diagnostics.
The results of IDT (as well as a review of the pet’s medical history) can then inform comprehensive immunotherapy treatments to relieve suffering. Veterinary dermatologists rely on IDT to build customized treatment plans for patients called Allergen Specific Immuno Therapy or “ASIT” for short.
ASIT involves a series of injections specifically created for the allergic animal’s skin. These injections, of diluted allergens, are designed to make a pet less sensitive to their allergens over time. In most cases these injections must be continued for life to reduce symptoms, but they are highly effective. Seventy to 90 percent of pets experience a reduction in symptoms as a result of ASIT treatment. These treatments can be delivered even more easily via droplets under the tongue, perfect for pet owners who are squeamish about giving injections to their pet.
This treatment is very new to the North American field of medicine (both human and veterinary) and underscores just how far innovation in veterinary medicine has come.
When it’s time to see the vet
Many pet owners are understandably concerned about taking their animals to the veterinarian because the cost (to say nothing of the fear some animals experience when going do the doctor) may outweigh any perceived reduction in suffering. To help pet owners know when it’s time to bring Fido to the doctor I’ve compiled my “Top Ten” list of dermatological symptoms that should never be ignored:
•Intense itching of the skin (head shaking, running the face into the carpet, furniture, etc.)
•Biting at the skin that creates red, raw crusting areas of the skin
•Multiple ear infections (head shaking, odor from ears, scratching at the ears with hind legs)
•Paw licking or chewing and frequent infections of the skin in the webbed skin of the paws
•Staining of the fur of the paws and nails on multiple feet
•Reoccurring skin infections in the groin, under the shoulders, perianal areas (on or under the tail)
•Greasy scaling skin and/or fur with odorous skin
•Hair loss, or thinning of the fur
•Dark pigmentation of the skin that is chronically infected
•Sudden depigmentation of skin
Allergies and other dermatological issues can be as frustrating for pet owners and their veterinarians as they can be for pets. I encourage any pet owner whose animal is experiencing any of these symptoms to consult with their veterinarian.

Dermatology – Common Issues

[Susan]

Hi Alisha,
all the advice I have given has been Patches treatment thru Patches vet who specializes in Skin, Stomach & Bowel health….
Keep a diary & as the months & years pass you will start to see a pattern when his skin allergies are worse, it probably be in the Spring & Summer months or after eating certain ingredients the scratching, itching, gas will be worse … Best to do an elimination food trial in the colder months Winter when plants aren’t flowering & pollens arent as bad as they are in the Spring months, plants, trees, grasses all can make the dog itchy & you’ll think it might be the food he’s trialing/eating….Allergies are VERY confusing, my vet & I thought my boy couldn’t eat turkey & potatoes for 2 yrs, later I realised he can eat potatoes & turkey it was something else causing sloppy poos & itchy smelly skin barley, chicken & oats.. also after he haas had a bath keep your boy off all grass areas for a few days no walking, lying on any grass & see how he goes, does his stomach improve??? We thought grass was making Patches paws red, every morning I feed him breakfast then we go for a walk thru the park when we’d come home Patch would start licking his paws, I’d have a look & his paws would be RED & sometimes hot, 1 back paw would be swollen red & hot, so I made sure he just walked on the pathway cerment etc it turned out to be the chicken & corn in the vet diet he was eating at the time for his IBD, I did a raw elimination diet, while he was eating raw Kangaroo with blended green veggies he was fine, his itchy yeasty skin & paws all went away within 2-5 days, then I tried raw chicken breast for dinner within 15 mins after eating raw chicken breast he reacted with red hot paws, rubbing his bum on carpet, I soak paws in cold water with the Malaseb medicated shampoo, then before bed applied some Hydrocortisone cream on bum & paws cream had fixed his paws all back to normal…

You’ll get there, Winter will be coming soon in America & hopefully he’ll get a break & you can start working out the food side, what foods he’s sensitive too… vet diets are the easiest way to do elimination diets & the diet is balanced, then after eating teh vet diet you might have to trial a few but once dog is itch & smell free you start adding 1 new ingredient to his diet for 6 weeks, it can take from 1 day for a dog to react to an ingredient up to 6 weeks, with Patch I know with that day or night with sloppy poo or diarrhea skin can take up to 4 days to start to smell yeasy, carrots make his ears itchy within 20mins of eating them, then they start to smellyeasty in 3-5 days, he starts shaking his head/ear after eating something with carrot in it, the only way I knew this was elimination diet adding the carrot to home made rissoles, you start with a lean mince, I started with Pork mince made small rissole 1/2 size balls & baked in oven & added boiled sweet potato, he was fine then next batch of rissoles I added 1 whisked egg made 1/2 cup size rissole balles baked in oven, boiled more sweet potatoes that I freeze in freezer & take out as I need same as teh rissole they freeze well, he was fine with egg, just keep adding 1 new food to your rissoles & you will see what ingredients are causing any skin, stomach/bowel problems…. Good Luck..

[Susan]

Hi dewper,
have you tried giving baths twice a week in “Malaseb” medicated shampoo?? baths wash off any allergens that are on the paws, skin & fur, when I first rescued my boy he was a paw licker, now he’s been diagnosed with IBD, Environment allergies & food sensitivities/intolerances, he was put on a high omega 3 skin vet diet but it didn’t help with his red itchy paws or sloppy poo’s, it helped his skin, so I did a food elimination diet & worked out what foods he was sensitive too that were causing his red itchy paws, itchy ears where he’d shake his head, bum surfing on the carpet, & itchy skin… but when they have both environment allergies & food sensitivities it’s very hard to work out what’s causing what…so its best to do food elimination diet in the winter the colder months when all the pollens flowers etc aren’t out..
Have you joined face book group called “Dog, issues, allergies and other information support” group a Dermatologist is in the group, Dr Karen Helton Rhodes DMV, DACVD she has a F/B group called “Canine Skin Solutions”
I use Hydrocortisone 1% cream on his paws & in between toes at night then during the day before our walk I use “Sudocrem” on his paws & white sections of fur & pink skin the Sudocrem is for nappy rash, eczema & dermatitis & acts as a barrier & protects the skin it’s excellent if your dog has grass allergies, itchy bum & skin, when my boy walks on wet grass he gets his red paws also, chicken, barley, oats, corn & wheat causes itchy skin & itchy paws within 20 mins of eating these foods, carrots make his ears itch & the head tilting & shaking start… start keeping a diary..
It’s best to give baths, use creams & socks to stop the paw licking & have you looked into a raw diet?? all Patches skin problems disappeared within 1 week when he started a raw diet high in omega 3 & probiotic to strengthen his immune system also high potency vitamin C is excellent..
If I see Patch licking his paws I say NO lick & I stop him licking his paws & go & get the Sudocrem & apply if it’s in the day & before bed I apply the Hydrocortisone 1% cream you’ll get into a routine & work out what works best for your boy….baths in Malaseb shampoo twice a week will stop & relieve any itchy skin & paws. also when he looks bored & starts to lick paws give him something natural & healthy to chew on, a healthy raw meaty bone will stop any paw licking, chicken & turkey bone is the softest bone to chew & digest… read all ingredients to any treats you buy..
can I ask 1 question after he licks & licks his paws does he burp, do you hear him burp??

[Susan]

Hi ac,
first I find a kibble that I hoped agreed with Patch, I slowly introduce & see how Patch does on the kibble for 1-2 months, but this wasn’t always the way 4 yrs ago I had to keep Patch on a vet diet for 9-12 months to fix his bowel & strengthen his immune system but the vet diet made his skin itch & smell yeasty cause he was sensitive to the chicken, corn, wheat & corn gluten meal….
Food sensitivities/intolerances can take anywhere from 1 day to react up to 6 weeks & react with sloppy poo’s, gas/wind pain, (bad smelly farts) yeasty itchy ears, paws & skin, rubbing bum on carpet, grass or ground, with Patch I know within 1-2 days if he’s sensitive to an ingredient…..
Now I can rotate daily or a couple days a week, some days I’ll give Patch his Taste Of The Wild, Sierra Mountain Roasted lamb for the bigger meals breakfast & dinner then for lunch I give a smaller wet cooked meal, I give him a different kibble or a wet tin food or his cooked rissoles mashed up with sweet potato for his smaller meals 12pm & 8pm…

With your pup just feed him 1 kibble that agrees with him & he does the best on for 6-9 months while he’s growing, don’t try any new kibbles yet unless he starts doing sloppy poo’s, then later on you keep this kibble as his main kibble & his go to kibble if he starts doing sloppy poos/diarrhea, only give new foods as a treat to start with.
Patch does real well on his TOTW Roasted Lamb, so he gets his TOTW feed as main meals at 7am & 5pm then for the smaller meals lunch-12pm & second dinner-8pm he gets 1/3 cup of another kibble that I know agrees with him or wet tin or cooked meal or I change it around & feed his TOTW for the smaller meals it all depends how he’s doing that day if he’s well or has his pancreas/stomach pain then he just eats his TOTW kibble….
After 4-5 yrs I have a pretty good idea what agrees with Patch, I introduced the new Hills D/D Venison & Potato vet diet 3 months ago, we just got the Hills D/D Venison in Australia, it’s the only vet diet that agrees with Patch & he doesn’t itch & get yeasty smelly paws & skin & helps his IBD, it’s high in omega 3, helps with digestion & stool quality when they start doing bigger poo’s helps with his skin, it’s gluten & grain free & I know 100% that the only intact meat protein is venison from new Zealand.. so if he has a IBD flare I now have a vet diet that I can fall back onto but he gets a bit of acid reflux some times I think cause the fat is 16.3% & the higher omega 3 oils, so the TOTW is still his go to kibble that helps his IBD, I just wanted another kibble as well just in case something ever happens, I now have 2 kibbles, I also have his Canidae Pure Wild boar but it’s higher in Kcals per cup over 400 Kcals per cup & Patch seems to get his pancreas or stomach pain when a kibble is over 370 Kcals per cup & if the protein is over 28%, so I only feed the Canidae Pure Wild now for one of his smaller meals some days, his smaller meals lunch & 2nd dinner…..Patch eats 4 meals a day..
I cook fresh pumkin & sweet potato for Patch & freeze 20-30 gram size pieces & I take 1 piece pumkin or sweet potato out & 1 x 1/2 cup size pork rissole & leave in fridge the night before to thaw over night & feed as a small meal, if your pup does well on boiled pumkin then I’d cook some chicken breast cut into small pieces or buy some lean turkey mince make into small 1/2 cup size rissoles balls just add 1 whisked egg, mix & then bake rissoles in oven, cool then freeze & take out when needed & take out some pumkin or sweet potato pieces & make a small snack meal, this is how I started introducing foods to Patch after we found out he has IBD, I’d still feed the kibble that agreed with Patch for breakfast & dinner & the small meal was the new food meal, I was trying to see what agreed with him without upsetting his stomach/bowel, take little baby steps, also try giving new foods as a treat, make sure it’s the same food for the month if he seems to do well then you’ll know he can eat that food, keep a diary….. if your pup does well on pumkin then look for kibbles with sweet potato & potato..
What kibble is he doing well on? read the fat% protein% & fiber% & Kcals per cup & what are the ingredients…try & work out why is he doing really good on this kibble??

[anonymous]

Please do not apply anything to the skin or give over the counter meds intended for humans or give supplements unless instructed to do so by a veterinarian that has examined the dog.
You could make things much worse and increase the risk of infection.
Hope this helps:
By Klaus Loft, DVM
Angell Dermatology Service
Anyone who suffers debilitating environmental allergies tied to changing seasons, pet dander or household dust mites knows first-hand the misery of a scratchy throat, itchy eyes or painful rashes.
Not everyone knows, however, that our pets can experience similar allergic reactions — and other very bothersome dermatological issues. But our pets need not suffer in silence. Modern veterinary science has evolved such that advanced, comprehensive treatments are now available to treat a range of skin conditions.
Top pet dermatological issues
Our four-legged friends suffer from some of the same skin issues as we do — and several that we do not. The most common conditions we see at Angell include:
•Parasites, such as mites, fleas and mange (scabies)
•Infectious diseases, such as Staphylococcal pyoderma (“Staph”) skin infections, yeast and fungal infections and skin fold infections
•Systemic diseases, such as autoimmune diseases
•Skin cancer, such as Squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphoma, Mast cell tumors
•Allergies, such as flea allergy dermatitis, adverse food reactions, environmental allergies, etc.
All of these conditions can become serious and, if untreated, dramatically reduce quality of life. But the tremendous strides made in veterinary innovation, however, is very good news for our pets. Specifically, the testing and treatments for allergies now rivals human healthcare in its sophistication, quality of care and long-term health outcomes.
Unlike humans, dogs and cats cannot tell us about their dermatological health issues. So we as pet owners must look for the signs. The most common indicators that a pet is suffering from some kind of allergy involve frequent episodes of ear infections, red raised or open sores on the skin, constant licking or biting of paws or groin — sometimes causing wounds that will not go away.
Allergies present a particular challenge because there can be hundreds (even thousands) of potential allergens that impact pet health, from foods to pollen from grasses, weeds, trees, dust mites and more. Today’s specialty veterinary hospitals have access to the very latest diagnostic tests to get to the bottom of what’s ailing our pet. Among these tests is the Intra Dermal Test (IDT).
IDT is generally considered the gold standard of testing for identifying allergens that cause pets to suffer from chronic skin and/or ear diseases. IDT involves injections of a series of concentrated allergens into the skin to determine which of them generate allergic reactions in a given animal. The use of fluorescein — a chemical that illuminates the inflammation caused by the injected allergens in order to visualize the strength of individual reactions — is key to accurately diagnosing pet allergies, and is just one of the many ways veterinarians use new technologies to improve care and diagnostics.
The results of IDT (as well as a review of the pet’s medical history) can then inform comprehensive immunotherapy treatments to relieve suffering. Veterinary dermatologists rely on IDT to build customized treatment plans for patients called Allergen Specific Immuno Therapy or “ASIT” for short.
ASIT involves a series of injections specifically created for the allergic animal’s skin. These injections, of diluted allergens, are designed to make a pet less sensitive to their allergens over time. In most cases these injections must be continued for life to reduce symptoms, but they are highly effective. Seventy to 90 percent of pets experience a reduction in symptoms as a result of ASIT treatment. These treatments can be delivered even more easily via droplets under the tongue, perfect for pet owners who are squeamish about giving injections to their pet.
This treatment is very new to the North American field of medicine (both human and veterinary) and underscores just how far innovation in veterinary medicine has come.
When it’s time to see the vet
Many pet owners are understandably concerned about taking their animals to the veterinarian because the cost (to say nothing of the fear some animals experience when going do the doctor) may outweigh any perceived reduction in suffering. To help pet owners know when it’s time to bring Fido to the doctor I’ve compiled my “Top Ten” list of dermatological symptoms that should never be ignored:
•Intense itching of the skin (head shaking, running the face into the carpet, furniture, etc.)
•Biting at the skin that creates red, raw crusting areas of the skin
•Multiple ear infections (head shaking, odor from ears, scratching at the ears with hind legs)
•Paw licking or chewing and frequent infections of the skin in the webbed skin of the paws
•Staining of the fur of the paws and nails on multiple feet
•Reoccurring skin infections in the groin, under the shoulders, perianal areas (on or under the tail)
•Greasy scaling skin and/or fur with odorous skin
•Hair loss, or thinning of the fur
•Dark pigmentation of the skin that is chronically infected
•Sudden depigmentation of skin
Allergies and other dermatological issues can be as frustrating for pet owners and their veterinarians as they can be for pets. I encourage any pet owner whose animal is experiencing any of these symptoms to consult with their veterinarian.

Dermatology – Common Issues

[Teagsmom]

I have a chi/mix rescue who was fed junk at the shelter. I put her on Acana grasslands and she loved it. I just started using Primal freeze dried. She gets so excited when she smells me adding water, she starts doing circles. You may want to try a good kibble with a topper of raw (I prefer freeze dried due to convienence but you could use raw patties). You could also do one meal kibble and one meal raw.

My dog wouldn’t go near Honest Kitchen. She literally ran away. I was shocked because she’s not a super picky eater. I’ve been obsessing over what dog food to give now that my dog had some teeth extracted. My last dog was diagnosed with Cushings at age 5, was on medication his entire life and lived to 15 1/2 yrs old eating Wellness. So I’m starting to question whether I’m thinking too much into this. Good luck!

[zcRiley]

Zignature Zssentials has a few proteins in it & there’s Zignature limited ingredient formulas. #1 kibble for those sensitive to a lot of added ingredients in most foods. Their canned food is not good, try Lotus or Weruva. Full tummied dogs do not look or act hungry, ever. My pups’ thrive on Zignature but their meals vary in amount depending on activity of the day (lots of lounging or hard swimming or running). I add chopped broccoli on top for extra fiber and it smells very “green” (they love grass). It’ll take you a few weeks to figure out how much makes him full without gaining unwanted weight vs activity. But the first few days let him indulge to eat more. Charts and vet advice have nothing to do with your dog’s specific needs. It’s no fun being hungry all the time.

[Susan]

Hi Carla, sounds like Acid Reflux, after eating grass & some food this has pushed the acid back down into the stomach & she has settled, sometimes the poos will look green in color from the excess acid being made…. I have found giving white bread dry toast is good if they wake up thru the night, it normally happens around 3am, if this happens again have some cold liquid Mylanta in the fridge, I don’t know if you have Mylanta in America, give about 5mls, 1 teaspoon, the cold Mylanta soothes the throat & stomach & pushes the acid back down, it’s best to let the dog bring it up & vomit it get rid of it…..
It’s very hard for vets to diagnose cause there’s no real test for this unless your dogs ends up with stomach ulcer then a Endoscope & Biopsies are done, the vet gets a better idea, I found changing diets, till you find a diet that works & rotating between 2 diets works as well I have found, also if you can feed 1 cook lean meal, boiled sweet potatoes are really good with a lean meat also pumkin is good to add to a dogs meal…..

[Carla M]

I have a female dog, 2 years old.
Last night she woke me up with this gulp episode, to me she was trying to induce vomit, because she was eating grass and licking the floor.
Lasted for like 5 minutes maybe, then she did calm down, drank some water and ate some food, then went back to sleep.
Should I just take her to the vet now to report about this? Or should I just wait to see reoccurs? Since it happened only once.
I am worried and doing researchs on it! Found it could be gastrointestinal problems or complex partial seizure which scares me.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 5 months ago by Carla M.
• This reply was modified 8 years, 5 months ago by Carla M.

[LuckyLab]

He does seem to always try to eat grass, dandelions or whatever plant he can get his mouth on in our backyard. Not sure if that’s related or not, our old Lab seemed to always want to eat grass as well. I try to discourage it but can’t always catch him.

[anonymous]

He is too young to be diagnosed…..but it could be environmental allergies, wipe his feet off or rinse with plain water every time he comes in from the outside, especially after coming in from stepping in grass covered with morning dew. Let’s hope the allergies (if that’s what it is) are mild and seasonal.
The only way to rule out food sensitivities would be an elimination diet/prescription food under the guidance of a vet.
Veterinary Dermatologists don’t advise testing until the symptoms have been going on for 1 year/4 seasons or are are severe, and have not responded to treatment by the regular vet.
Wait and see what your vet suggests for food as it may not be related.
What about ProPlan Focus Large Breed puppy https://www.chewy.com/purina-pro-plan-focus-puppy-large/dp/52425

[Donna A]

Thank you Susan
I was really scared and I’m not in the medical field so I went along with the vet of course hoping they were taking the best course of action. To be truthful they were first concerned with how they were going to get paid and put my baby’s treatment on hold until they had a credit card and $500 deposit.
This just tore me up because the estimate for treatment the day was $950 which consisted of a hospital stay and putting him on IV fluids and administering medications and one x-ray which showed nothing. They told me I could pick him up at 5:30 and he was doing better to just keep an eye on him. I could see he was not better but just stabilized to go home.

I was terrified because this was Sunday night and his last meal which he vomited all of it Friday night. When we got home he would not eat and barely was drinking water and he was shaking while laying and sleeping again.

I called the vet next morning and told them I would be there w/in 30 minutes they said ok.

When my dog Quasimodo and I got there we were put in a room for almost an hour and no vet or tech came into check on us. I was really getting upset so I decided to take Quasi out for a walk to see if he could poop. He did urinate a little and ate some grass. I went back into the vets office and they said the tech had come in but since I was not in the room they had to move on and that I was on the overflow list. I asked them when could I come back so that a vet could see my dog and they said 3:00 that day.

I was searching for answers because I felt lie the vet was not really treating this urgently.

I saw the vet Dr Weaver and told her I thought there was a blockage and what could they do to check that’s when they did the ultrasound of his organs and say the blockage. She indicated they need to do surgery Now! and again they wanted a credit card and to be paid in full $1250 first.

The rest is history and hopefully my dog will not have too hard of a time for the next 14 days and recoup well.

They did say feed chicken and rice and gave me a can of food. He finally had his first poop the second day after surgery.

Have you ever heard of feeding a dog baby food my friend does this when her dog is sick.

I will try to post some pics

[Susan]

Hi Donna when I had to soften Patches food, I added warm water NOT hot water, to the kibble in bowl, when kibble was soft all the way thru, then I would drain out the excess water in bowl, I’d make sure my hands were clean & squeezed out all the excess water from the kibbles, you just cuff your hand with 1/2 the amount of the kibble & cuff your hand against the tilted bowl & the water drains out of the kibble, just make sure you drain the water out, dog isn’t licking & lapping up water quickly & swollen kibble same time it can cause stomach problems, even may cause bloat, so make sure you drain any water out, also the dog will wee more or not drink much of his water cause the kibbles have absorbed the water….
When the kibble is a really good & easy to digest, the kibbles will soften within 20-50mins, Taste Of The Wild & Canidae kibbles only take about 20mins & the kibbles are nice & soft all the way thru, stick 1/4 of the wet swollen kibbles in another bowl give them to him then when he’s finished, add some more of the swollen kibbles in his bowl, this way your slowing him down & teaching him to eat slowly or the other thing I did was I sat down next to Patch & only added about 10 dry kibbles in his bowl & I would say slowly, slow down, eat slowly then after he’d finished the 10 kibbles in the bowl, I’d add some more kibbles in his bowl, it would take about 5 mins to slowly feed him…it all depends if you have the time in the morning & at dinner time…
also you can buy those balls with a hole that release food when they roll them or kong’s & stuff a few big kong’s with a mix of kibble, cooked mashed veggies, yogurt stuff in the kongs & then freeze, excellent in the hot Summer months & if you work just before go to work hide a few kongs & that will keep her busy, there’d be a few Kong recipes on line, feed 1/2 the amount of his kibble & give him the rest of his kibble made up in a few kongs, I bought the maize toys that teaches them to lift the lid with their nose to get some kibble or they put their paw on the button & 1 kibble rolls down, I have a toy you put kibble in the rubber ball & he has to get the ball out of the T-shaped maize, it has 4 exits for ball to roll out or you can block them off & only have 1 or 2 exits, but he’s very smart & he’s learnt if I get my paw & shake the T-shape maize the ball rolls around & the kibbles fall out onto the carpet & then he gets his nose & pushes the T-shape maize & eats the kibbles on the carpet it’s slows down his eating, he’s busy playing & having fun, my cat even learnt how to get his kibbles out of the maize or when the kibble flew out, she’d eat them.. it’s good your dog loves his food, he’ll be very easy to train…
or buy a 12 whole muffin tray & add a few kibbles in each 12 cup muffin hole & he has to lick out the kibbles but I found the muffin tray moved around too much or throw the kibble out on the grass area & he walks around sniffing & eating his kibble, I like where I sit next to him, watch TV & just add a few kibbles in his elevated bowl at a time & he sits, eats slowly, he has learnt to be a very patient…

[anonymous]

This topic comes up so frequently that I thought I would post this article from LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, it stresses the importance of an accurate diagnosis being the first step in treatment.
“This is the reason that we encourage diagnosis of the underlying cause of the allergy and more specific or less potentially harmful treatments”.

Introduction
Coping with an itchy pet can be an extremely frustrating experience for you, the pet owner and can truly test the limits of the human-animal bond.  Persistent scratching and chewing by the pet can also result in self-excoriation and open wounds.  The following information is intended to provide the pet owner with a basic understanding of the most common underlying causes of itching and allergies in the small animal.
 
The Most Common Causes of Chronic Itching
The common causes fall into two groups: external parasites and allergies.  External parasites that most commonly cause chronic itching dermatitis include fleas and sarcoptic mange.  We often recommend therapeutic trials for sarcoptic mange in chronically and severely itchy dogs.  We always recommend stepped-up flea control and monitoring for fleas, as flea infestation can really make allergy worse!
 
What are allergies?
Allergy is a state of hypersensitivity in which exposure to a harmless substance known as an allergen induces the body’s immune system to “overreact”.  The incidence of allergies is increasing in both humans and their pets.  People with allergies usually have “Hay Fever” ( watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing) or asthma. While dogs can rarely also have respiratory allergies, more commonly they experience the effects of allergic hypersensitivities as skin problems.  Though there are a variety of presentations, this can often be seen as redness and itching, recurring skin or ear infections, and hair loss.  This is sometimes called ‘eczema’ or atopic dermatitis.  

What are the Major Types of Allergies in Dogs?
Flea Allergy
Flea allergic dermatitis is the most common skin disease in dogs and cats.  For the flea allergic patient, 100% flea control is essential for the pet to remain symptom-free.  “But doctor, I never see fleas on my pet.”
 
You may not see them, but that does not mean they are not there.  The allergy is caused by the flea’s saliva, and it only takes a few bites to induce the problem.  Also, the itchy pet often scratches so much that adult fleas are removed, making them hard to find.  “If fleas are the problem, why is my pet still itchy in the winter.” – In warm climates like we have Louisiana, fleas may survive in low numbers year-round.  Because flea allergy is so common, we recommend that complete flea control be instituted before proceeding with diagnostics for other allergies and that year-round flea control be maintained for all allergy patients.

Food Allergy
Some pets develop specific hypersensitivities to components of their diets.  The allergen usually is a major protein or carbohydrate ingredient such as beef, chicken, pork, corn, wheat, or soy.  Minor ingredients such as preservatives or dyes are also potential allergens.  The diagnosis of food allergy requires that we test your pet by feeding special strict diets that contain only ingredients that he has never eaten before. This is often achieved by feeding a prescription diet for a period of 10 – 16 weeks.  If the signs resolve, a challenge is performed by feeding the former diet and watching for a return of the itching.  If this occurs, a diagnosis of food allergy is confirmed.  

Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inherited predisposition to develop skin problems from exposure to variety of commonplace and otherwise harmless substances including the pollens of weeds, grasses and trees, as well as house dust mites and mold spores.  Diagnosis of AD is made based on the results of intradermal skin testing or by in vitro blood testing.  Skin testing is the preferred method; small injections of many different allergens are made in the skin on the pet’s side, under light sedation.  Observation of the reactions helps us compile a list of allergens for a “vaccine” that is made to decrease the pet’s sensitivity.  Sometimes multiple skin and/or blood tests are necessary to accurately assess the patient’s allergies.

Secondary Infections
Allergies are often the underlying cause of recurring skin and/or ear.  Bacterial and yeast infections, though secondary to the allergy, can cause an increase in your pet’s level of itching. Long term treatment with antibiotics and anti-yeast medications is commonly required, along with medicated bathing programs.

Can allergies be cured?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergy and it is usually a life-long problem. We seek to control allergy and improve the quality of life for both you and your pet.  We will formulate the best program of management that suits all involved with your pet’s care.  

Can I have the itching treated without the expense of diagnostic testing?
Symptomatic drug therapy can help to reduce itching.  Steroids, such as prednisone tablets, in particular, are often employed to stop the itch.  However, without addressing the underlying cause, the itching will return.  Long term use of steroids can result in many health problems.  This is the reason that we encourage diagnosis of the underlying cause of the allergy and more specific or less potentially harmful treatments.
– See more at: http://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/veterinary_hospital/services/dermatology/patient_information/allergies_in_dogs.php#sthash.tAEI8WbV.dpuf

[anonymous]

Regarding frequent bathing and prescription shampoo (from a previous post/thread)
You can find the malaseb at chewy dot com at possibly a better price. I have found that after the first year of treatment by a veterinary dermatologist, I can now alternate with other gentle shampoos with good effect.
However, I had tried malaseb before seeing the dermatologist and it didn’t help. But, in conjunction with ASIT, it did.
I stopped recommending it unless prescribed by a vet as it is expensive and people expect too much. Plus, depending on the allergies, it may not be necessary.

Update: I spoke to the veterinary dermatologist today and he confirmed that malaseb shampoo was not always necessary and works best in conjunction with other treatments as prescribed by a veterinarian.
In fact, now that my dog is stable and responding well to ASIT (allergen specific immunotherapy), I can use inexpensive gentle otc (over the counter) dog shampoos instead.
He said often that just rinsing the dogs paws/feet off with plain water every time the dog comes in from outside, can be effective for removing pollens, especially after walking in grass covered in morning dew.

This is not veterinary advice; consult your veterinarian

[Susan]

Hi Tatiana R
What is your girl eating????
My boy bum surfs on carpet, ground, grass & tries to lick his bum from food sensitivities, he can NOT eat chicken, barley, oats, corn gluten meal he gets a itchy bum, a dog naturally empties their anal glands, there’s no need for us to do it, except when they have IBD IBS diarrhea sloppy poos etc & as the poo passes out it isn’t hard enough to empty the anal glands but once poos firm up they empty naturally, Patch had a weird vet always asking about his anal glands, have they been emptied, you see when they have just emptied, clear fluid runs down bum after a poo, Patch has a black bum & I see it… Your poor dog sometimes these vet can make things worse….
I would not be giving a dog steroids for this problem & as you have written it doesn’t seem to work, of cause steroids wont fix this problem while she’s eating a food she has an intolerance too, change diet to a limited ingredient diet with a different protein to what she’s eating now, feed 1 single novel protein, also go to chemist or supermarket go in the baby section look for a cream called “Sudocrem” or another cream that has the ingredients that Sudocrem has, Sudocrem is for nappy rash, eczema, dermatitis thick white healing cream, as soon as Patch starts rubbing bum on carpet, I get 1 Huggies baby wipe, I use the Coconut oil wipes, I wipe his bum & hold the cool baby wipe on his bum for 20 seconds then apply the Sudocrem & the irritation stops straight away, if you did this in the beginning her bum wouldn’t be so red & sore now…the vet would have been better prescribing a Hydrocortisone 1% cream this will help her sore red bum, rubbing bum on the floor will make it worse, when she goes to rub her bum stop her, cool with a baby wipe then apply either the Hydrocortisone cream or the Sudocrem…… when she is getting better please post & tell us..

[Susan]

Hi Heath just watch the video, she does not feel too good, she’s wagging her tail & feels real sick, should of given her some grass to induce vomiting……She looks exactly like my 1 yr old girl…. I hope you took her to a vet..

[Susan]

Hi, pea flour & pea starch isn’t as bad as pea protein, Hills Vet Nutritionist explained to me it’s the protein in foods that the dog is sensitive or allergic too….
I would avoid eating peas if your 100% sure he can’t eat peas……
Have you tried a vet diet & done a proper food elimination diet? either using a vet diet or a raw diet?
this is the only true why to find out what foods your dog has intolerances too…. also another way is thru the winter months your dog will do better then as soon as spring & summer come your dog gets worse then it’s seasonal environment allergies what my boy suffers with as long as I feed him foods he’s OK with we have a good winter until spring & summer come around ….. it’s so hard to work out what is causing what….best to feed a raw limited ingredient diet then start the CADI injections…It’s too hard to do food elimination diet while feeding a dry kibble too many allergens to deal with in a kibble…

Join this face Book Group, “Dog issues, allergies and other information support group” there’s a new injection that has just come out made by the same makers of Apoquel called “Cytopoint” CADI injections, the way CADI injection works is it blocks the receptors completely & stops the itch where Apoquel blocks the reaction from the allergen receptors, so many dogs in America are enjoying an itch free Summer since having the CADI injections, it last 4-6 weeks, apparently the more CADI injection your dog has the injection seem to last longer & longer till he needs the CADI injection, find a vet or Dermatologist in your area & ask what they think of this new drug… my vet said results looks excellent….

More info in this group from parents & their happy dogs, CADI isn’t in Australia yet but hopefully we’ll get it this spring/summer, we had an awful Summer so good luck, make sure you give baths to wash off the pollens, dirt. grass etc the days your dog isn’t doing well..
https://www.facebook.com/groups/240043826044760/

[Bobby dog]

Hi Christie:
Both of my dogs always enjoyed eating grass. Their favorite is licking the feed tubs and scraps left on the mats after my horses’ meals. They didn’t eat grass daily or ferociously, just looked like they enjoyed the flavor.

However, my current dog does seem more excited about the alfalfa scraps from my horse’s meal. When he’s eating the scraps he has such a content look on his face; it must be quite tasty to him.

Hopefully it is just a bad bag of food and you don’t have to search for something new. My dog does well on a few Fromm recipes too. If you do switch foods perhaps look for one that is similar in GA %’s and protein sources. I feed several brands of kibble and all the recipes are similar in fat%, protein%, fiber%, kcals/C, and digestibility. He tends to gain weight if I veer to far of course!

I have fed Rx foods in the past for health issues and would not hesitate to do it in the future. It addressed the health issue and I was able to switch back to an OTC food after they were healed.

Good luck!

[Christie]

Well it look like my original thread was closed to new replies and feel free to delete this one if creating it is out of bounds, but I just wanted to comment on some of the suggestions.

Other than the grass eating, neither dog is exhibiting GI symptoms. I dealt with drooling and licking associated acid reflux issues with my 8 year old Chance back in February. I had previously tried switching them to Zignature (which made the acid reflux worse). The issues stopped after switching him to the Fromms. So I’m hesitant to switch him to another brand because the drooling and paw licking was out of hand before.

I did receive a new bag of the food from Chewy on March 24th. I wonder if it’s just a bad bag.

It’s strange that it’s happening to both dogs. I would have chalked it up to Chance’s acid reflux, had two year old Lexa not been eating grass, too. Both dogs are eating normally and still enjoy a treat now and then. There’s no drooling or vomiting or any outward sign of distress and that makes it so frustrating. I called my vet. He suggesting trying a new food (he ‘recommended’ royal canin, which is what they sell in their office– no surprise there) to see if the grass eating stops and to make an appointment if they start showing signs of GI distress. He also said that I could have gotten a bad batch of the food.

I guess I’d have to start with transitioning the food over (which is a shame because I think the Fromms was really helping to slim them down) to something more easily digestible and see if it makes a difference.

Thanks for all the suggestions and sorry that the thread veered off topic.

[crazy4cats]

I agree, nutrition could be the issue and I did suggest that she might want to switch foods to see if it helped any. It seemed like the thread turned into a battle on whether or not a certain food was good or not. Not helpful to the original poster at all. I just wanted to let her know that grass eating isn’t always necessarily a problem.

I was definitely stating that it had gotten off topic. And yes, other people’s opinions could be helpful. We all have different experiences to share. That is what the forum is all about. Sometimes, I think you forget that.

[anonymous]

@ crazy4cats, Re: “So back to Christie’s original question”.

That comment seems to suggest that we had gone off topic.

Since poor nutrition is one of the possible causes for grass eating, I don’t think myself or pitluv were off topic by discussing dog food choices.

“Another common theory is that dogs will eat indigestible matter if they are excessively hungry or if their nutrition is poor, so this must always be a consideration.”

Anyway, the more opinions the better 🙂

[anonymous]

A Vet’s Take On Why Dogs Eat Grass
http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/vet-s-take-why-dogs-eat-grass/297
Decoding grass chewing
By Michael Goldberg DVM
excerpt below (hope this helps)
Q: Why does my dog eat grass?
A: Ah… This is the $64,000 question. Grass eating among our canine friends has a number of theories as to origin. I get this question many times a year, and as yet cannot come up with a meaningful single reason. I can say that I’ve seen grass chewers on occasion get a good nasal cleanse, as the thick blade of grass occasionally gets on the wrong track and scurries out an unsuspecting nasal passage. It’s highly unlikely the intent is to cleanse that particular orifice, however!
Dogs do not have the means to digest grass, as they lack the enzymes needed to break down the fibres. Thus, there is little nutritional value in it for them. One reason for eating grass may be due to a feeling of nausea. It is possible that dogs learn this is a temporary solution for stomach irritation.
On occasion, I have seen dogs lick at the air, often showing swallowing behaviour, then rush out to the great outdoors to seek out a thick patch of the green stuff and furiously chomp and chomp until the urge abates. Then promptly throw up. On following these dogs endoscopically, they often have an inflammatory condition in their stomachs or redness around the lower esophagus, which can indicate gastric reflux or inflammatory bowel disease. The situation can be troubling for the owner as the dog is often quite restless before getting out to graze. If your dog looks as if he or she is irritated and extends the neck and begins repeated swallowing motions, it may be time to visit your veterinarian to check out what might be happening. These conditions are treatable with either homeopathic medical intervention or conventional therapies. Diet may also play a role in the condition. A thorough review is in order.
Some dogs can also develop a form of stereotypy behaviour (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and become fixated on grass chewing, but this is relatively rare.
Then there are the select few who search diligently for that particular luscious, thick, juicy blade and then gently savour it. Only the finest blades for me, thank you, and only of particular types. These dogs seem to enjoy their habit and do not suffer any of the previously-reported repercussions, such as vomiting. Grass does not seem to hurt them as long as it doesn’t contain herbicides or other toxins.
For those with a scientific bent, an additional theory related to the grasseating behaviour of our four legged companions has to do with their evolutionary past. For ancestral dogs to have survived successfully, they would have needed good hunting abilities in order to feed and nourish their young and survive as a pack. Grass eating may have evolved to help conceal their scent from their prey in the same way that rolling in foul offal is sometimes thought to.
Another common theory is that dogs will eat indigestible matter if they are excessively hungry or if their nutrition is poor, so this must always be a consideration. If you are preparing homemade food, be sure to consult a professional to make sure the nutritional balance is correct.
Dogs are more omnivorous than cats, and many would also like to eat far more than they’re fed. In the absence of a midday meal some may simply enjoy the process of eating. One can never rule out that for some, a nice patch of tasty clean crabgrass may simply give the momentary impression of an afternoon snack in the sun! ■

[crazy4cats]

So back to Christie’s original question. I have two large male golden labs. One of them is part goat. Lol! He has always eaten grass. He is almost six years old and is very healthy. Currently, a little too healthy. He needs to lose a few pounds. Anyway, i believe some dogs just like it! Right now, especially, since we are finally showing signs of summer and things are starting to grow like crazy. He seems to have a renewed love for it! He doesn’t barf it up, his output is normal. He is fine.
Christie, if you are concerned, it may be a good idea to switch foods or see a vet. I think switching foods occasionally is a good idea anyway. They may be bored with their current food and a little variety is good for them in my opinion. I try to stick to lower calorie and fat kibbles as well. Good luck to you.

[anonymous]

@ Christie

It would be best if you take them to the vet for an examination and diagnosis, if the grass eating continues. Grass eating is not normal and could be an indication of GI upset.
Odd that both dogs are doing it? You could try a simple diet change and see if that helps.
I like Zignature Whitefish kibble as a base, I add a splash of water.
Also, I hope your grass isn’t chemically treated…..

[anonymous]

@ Angela

It would be best to take your dog to a veterinarian for an examination and a diagnosis.
I would refrain from giving the dog antacids and other over the counter meds and supplements not intended for veterinary use. Unless the examining vet recommends.
What someone says worked for their dog may not be best for yours.
There are many reasons why a dog would exhibit the symptoms you described.
Many medications and supplements are not benign and have side effects.
Taking 3 or 4 different meds to treat the same condition is called polypharmacy, common among the elderly. Healthcare professionals discourage it.
Ps: Eating grass is not normal and could be an indication of GI upset among other things.

[Angela F]

Hi, I have a Yokie/Maltese female, will be a year old on the 7th of June. I had noticed she ate a lot of grass. She is a picky eater too.
Tonight she was sleeping next to me, after a good day of playing outside. She loves to run… anyway she awoke with a fright, and started gulping, licking and swallowing fast. She even scared me when she woke up so fast and I could tell she was very frightened. I picked her up really fast and calmed her a bit. She lay back down even closer to me than before. Yet she was still a bit nervous and continued to lick… etc… ! So I decided to look up the symptoms. I found Molzy( not sure of the spelling) post.
I do think it is related to her throat, and high fat diet. I don’t give her food with much fat, but my mom-in-law likes to sneak her food. As she was with her for awhile today, I believe she gave her a treat. So I just want to say thank you all for helping me feel a little better. I will watch her more closely now and buy an anti-acid for her.
Good luck to all of you and God bless you all for having such caring hearts.❤️

[Angela F]

Hi, I have a Yokie/Maltese female, will be a year old on the 7th of June. I had noticed she ate a lot of grass. She is a picky eater too.
Tonight she was sleeping next to me, after a good day of playing outside. She loves to run… anyway she awoke with a fright, and started gulping, licking and swallowing fast. She even scared me when she woke up so fast and I could tell she was very frightened. I picked her up really fast and calmed her a bit. She lay back down even closer to me than before. Yet she was still a bit nervous and continued to lick… etc… ! So I decided to look up the symptoms. I found Moxeys post.
I do think it is related to her throat, and high fat diet. I don’t give her food with much fat, but my mom-in-law likes to sneak her food. As she was with her for awhile today, I believe she gave her a treat. So I just want to say thank you all for helping me feel a little better. I will watch her more closely now and buy an anti-acid for her.
Good luck to all of you and God bless you all for having such caring hearts.❤️

[Susan]

Hi Christie, Fromm weight management Gold Formula has a few different proteins & a lot of different ingredients, most weight management kibbles are higher in fiber to keep the dog feeling fuller longer, read the fiber % it’s high at 7% fiber, if your looking for a lower fat diet formula have look at “Canidae” Pure Meadow Senior, adult dogs can also eat the Pure Meadow senior formula, the protein is good at 28%min & the Fat is 10.80% max… it has 2 proteins, Chicken Meal & Turkey Meal, ingredient list- 1st-Chicken, 2nd-Chicken Meal & 3rd-Turkey Meal so the 28%min protein is mainly meat proteins & not 1/2 plant proteins & 1/2 meat proteins, then 4th- Sweet Potatoes, 5th-Chickpeas, 6th-peas, Pure Meadow has only 9 ingredients….
I know some dogs like to graze, but both dogs?? maybe just change the kibble brand to another brand with lower fiber-4-5%max, limited ingredient kibble & see if it makes a difference & see if they aren’t eating as much grass….My boy only eats grass when he’s unwell & feels sick or has a bit of acid reflux, he doesn’t do well on higher fiber kibbles, no dog really would, dogs have a short digestive tract build to digest meat proteins, not high fiber, high carbohydrate diet….. Canidae is money back if your pets aren’t happy, Canidae have other formula’s….. I like their Pure Wild Boar so does my dog & cat, the cat is always trying to pinch Patches kibbles that’s how I know when a kibble taste good Indy (cat)wants to get the dogs kibble….
https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products/canidae-grain-free-pure-meadow-dry-formula

[Susan]

Hi Michelle,
it’s best to give Nexium or Omeprazole of a morning maybe the dose isn’t strong enough, I took Nexium & it didn’t work as well as the Omeprazole works… when Patch started the Omeprazole I was giving 10mg of a morning then the same thing was happening Patch had his acid reflux about 8-12 hours later so I had to give 10mg Omeprazole at night as well, then I stopped halving the dose & just gave 20mg Omeprazole 8.30am every morning now,
I’ve asked my Gastro intestinal specialist about Pump Proton Inhibitors (Nexium Omeprazole & Somac) when is the best time to take, he said of a morning or what you think works the best for you & must be taken the same time everyday… I take in the morning & at night now but I’m on a very high dose 80mg as the years have gone by I needed to increase dose…. ask vet can you change to the Omeprazole instead of the Nexium & if you need to cut in the Omeprazole half ask for script for the chemist & there’s “Omeprazole Sandoz” makes a tablet that can be cut in 1/2 it has the line, the chemist/pharmacist will look on their computer & tell you which Omeprazole brand can be cut in 1/2 but maybe Oscar can take full dose -20mg… also ask vet on Thursday can Oscar continue taking the Nexium or Omeprazole for his acid reflux after the Metronidazole & Baytril course is finished, I ask vet for 5-6 repeat scripts when I visited her so I have 6months worth of Omeprazole & have about 3 scripts of the Metronidazole in my cupboard
& I can just go to my chemist & then Patch is like a human & gets his meds from the chemist & pays human prices, $7.99 for 30 Omeprazole tablets, it’s heaps cheaper then what the vet charges, the vet wanted $4 for 1 x Omeprazole tablet or $120.00 for a box of 30 Omeprazole tablets, I nilly died $120 for 1 month supply, if I don’t see the vet I pay $15 & she writes & leaves a 5 or 6 repeat script with the staff & I just pick it up & get form chemist or if I’m visiting the vet then I don’t have to pay the extra $15 for her 5 mins writing out the script, it’s a big difference in price especially if they need a drug till they pass away & you can’t just stop taking a Pump Proton Inhibitor (Nexium or Omeprazole) if you’ve been taking it more the 15 days one vet said 21 days but people don’t know all this & would just stop giving it to their dog cause of the price…Vets need to charge less for medications.. there’s also a few online pet medication stores popping up but in Australia the human chemist/pharmacist are still the cheapest..
[removed by moderator]….like your vet said Oscar will feel better by Sunday but if he’s vomiting & seems unwell then stop the Baytril & just give the Metronidazole & Nexium every 12 hours it should be enough cause your dog wouldn’t be immune to the Metronidazole (antibiotic) yet cause he’s never really taken it before, sometimes a dog or human can become immune to certain antibiotics that’s why this time Patch had to take Clarithromycin instead of the Amoxcillin just in case he has become immune to the Amoxcillin but after 2 days of taken the Clarithromycin & Metronidazole he became unwell waking up 5am 6am & wanting to eat grass so I stopped the Clarithromycin yesterday & this morning he didn’t wake me up at 5am or 6am wanting to go outside, so now he’s just taking the Metronidazole every 12 hours with a meal & 20mg Omeprazole at 8.30am, it will be enough to make him better again if not I’ll just have to re do the Metronidazole, Amoxcillin & Omeprazole again, vet is calling me Tuesday to see how he’s going….they are family one of our kids, just have 4 legs & heaps more hair…..

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by pugmomsandy.

[Christie]

I’ve been giving my two dogs Fromm’s Weight Management Gold since March. Since neither dog is in love with the formula, I usually top their meals (chicken broth or grilled chicken or a small amount of cheese or chicken gizzards/hearts or canned sardines). I haven’t noticed anything amiss with their behavior or when picking up their stool and both dogs are content to run around and play. But I’ve been outside more doing work around the house and I’ve been noticing that both dogs are eating grass. But it doesn’t seem like either is eating it because of stomach upset/to induce vomiting. They just seem content to graze. And I know some dogs just like to eat grass from time to time and mine have, but it seems like they’re seeking out grass every time I let them out.

Could it be something with the food?

[Susan]

Hi Michelle P,
Why I asked about the Nexium it’s not a drug that is normally used for dogs with Gastric problems like Acid Reflux, Omeprazole (Prolosec) & Pantoprazole (Somac) have been tested & used on cats & dogs, maybe the vet uses the Nexium cause it can be cut in 1/2 my vet writes me a script to take to chemist so I get the omeprazole Sandoz it can be cut in 1/2 where Omeprazole Losec cant be cut in 1/2…google & see if the ingredients are the same as the Omeprazole? I think they are a bit different.
With the Weruva Funky Chunky what is the fat % it must be 3% & under, see if its the same fat % as the Weruva… I would stop the boiled rice, boiled rice can irritate the bowel & cause diarrhea with some dogs, my boy can’t eat boiled rice I was picking out the rice in the I/d Chicken & Vegetable stew…
Acid Reflux is at it worse around 3am of a morning when the stomach is empty, hopefully when you get medications & food sorted out Oscar will feel better soon….I always make sure my dog head is higher then his stomach & lower back so the acid stays in the stomach & isn’t washing back up into his mouth while he’s sleeping…..even with his bed I make sure his head is on a L-Shaped pillow so his head stays up, he was up this morning 5am wanting to go outside & eat grass, I think its the Medications he’s taking to kill the Helicobacter as they are strong & making him feel sick having an empty stomach early hours of the morning…

[Susan]

Hi, so sad I also rescued a bully bread (Staffy) & Patch was vomiting up undigested kibble 8hrs later also, they have a very un healthy gut….who said she needs soft pallet surgery?? this isn’t the case, her food isn’t being digested, so the body rejects the un digested food & vomits, kibble is the hardest food to digest, no matter what the vet diet dry kibbles say on the front of the bag, raw/cooked & wet tin food digest quicker & are easier to digest then a high carb dry kibble….
if you can borrow the money find a good vet who can do or organize a Endoscope + Biopsies of the stomach, you need to do the biopsies to see what’s wrong in her
stomach & why she isn’t making enough Hydrochloric acid, my boy had the Helicobacter-Pylori + IBD…or ask a vet can he give you the triple therapy meds for Helicobacter-Pylori infection, the meds are: Metronidazole, Amoxicillin & Omeprazole, these meds will fix the stomach & kill any bad bacteria in the gut, but the Helicobacter will come back, Ive been fighting Patches for 3 yrs until he was left on Omeprazole ant acid med this finally helped Patch & a low carb diet
….cause she isn’t digestion her kibble it’s best to change both kibbles especially the Vet Diet they’re crap TRUST ME they do not go soft within 50mins the Hills vet diet kibbles & Royal Canin kibbles take 1-2 hours to go soft but not all the way through, so the kibbles just sit in her stomach so she vomits the undigested kibble back up cause her stomach isn’t working properly,
its called “Hypochlorhydria” low stomach acid where the Helicobacter breeds & lives, she needs meds the ones I mentioned above triple therapy to kill the Helicobacter infection & a diet low in carbs preferably gluten free & more meat then carbs so kibble isn’t good to feed.
… a lot of rescue dogs have Helicobacter cause of their poor diet while growing up also she could of left her mum way to early & never got all the proper nutrients from her mums milk that’s needed for a healthy stomach, now you need to make her gut healthy you do this once her triple therapy meds are finished…
If you want to feed a vet diet feed the wet tin foods like Hills vet diet I/d Chicken & Vegetable stew but Hills have stopped making the big cans of I/d Chicken & Vegetables Stew in Australia & now only make a small 156g can instead.. Patch needs 8 cans a day, you cant afford 8 small tins a day, so he gets 2 cans a day & gets his Canidae or Taste Of The Wild lamb kibble… or buy some chicken breast & sweet potatoes & cook & freeze meals
“Canidae” make very easy to digest kibbles like Canidae Life Stages, Chicken Meal & Rice, “Canidae Pure Meadow” it’s a senior kibble but it won’t matter she’ll get extra Omega 3 & DHA fatty acids & glucosamine in her diet for her bones & it has higher protein & less carbs what is needed for easy digestion & it’s Chicken, Chicken meal & Turkey Meal & Sweet Potato same ingredients as she is eating at the moment BUT will be easier to digest cause the protein is higher…
Start testing her kibbles, get a glass of very warm water, not boiling water just very warm water, add about 2-3 kibbles to the glass of water, does the kibbles float? a good kibble should float & how long does it take for the kibbles to go soft all the way thru?? a good easy to digest kibble should only take about 15-40mins to go soft all the way thru… another very easy to digest kibble is “Taste Of The Wild” Sierra Mountain, Roasted Lamb, its a single protein limited ingredient kibble & grain free as well, after Patch tried all the crappy vet diets that didn’t digest easy like they say they do, finally 3 yrs later I tried TOTW Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb & finally Patch started to get better, gain weight & he did the triple therapy meds 3 times as its very hard to kill this Helicobacter-Pylori, he still takes the Metronidazole a low dose 200mg with food on & off when I see he’s going down hill & getting his acid reflux bad again, he takes the Omeprazole (Losec) 8.30am every day now, it’s a ant acid medication cause they don’t make enough stomach acid, the helicobacter breeds & takes over their stomach & lives in the stomach walls & keeps breeding they get bad acid reflux, vomit, eat grass, feel sick, loss weight & cant digest their food properly, she probably gets bad acid reflux as well this is why she is thin & under weight, she needs a IBD Specialist vet….her vet doesn’t seen to be working out why she is thin & why she isn’t digesting her food & vomiting ?? she’s young her gut should be healthy so something has happened in her past her mum may have past on the Helicobacter infection, Ive had it & its awful you feel so hungry all the time & your stomach gets a norring feeling, you need a vet that will listen & knows about IBD..
yes don’t desex her yet she she’s too sick, my poor boy was desexed, vaccinated, wormed, flea, all on the same day that’s what happens here in Australia when a rescue dog is rescued from a pound before going to their career, its straight from the pound to the vets then career…Patch was too sick to be adopted & I fell in love with him & adopted him…..
Your girl needs 4-5 meals a day not 2 big meals, Patch gets 5 meals a day 7am, 9am 5pm he gets 1/2 cup kibble one of the kibbles I mentioned above & at 12pm & 8pm he gets the Hills I/d Chicken & Vegetable Stew wet tin food…he was getting a cooked meals but last March he started to vomit up the cooked lean pork mince & sweet potato again so he got put back on the Metronidazole & was already taking the Omeprazole ant acid meds & I asked vet can I try the Hills I’d Chicken & Vegetable stew can it has digestive enzymes in it..
Watch her does she lick lips/mouth & swallow, burp? my boy grinds his teeth when he gets his acid reflux, when I first got Patch he was licking & licking his paws continually of a night when he was at his worst, his vet said the licking paws sets off his endorphins then
he would burp….

[Susan]

Hi have you been on DFA before?? this post sounds familiar, your poor dog has BAD ACID REFLUX, arrange for her to have a Endoscope + Biopsies” done you must get the Biopsies none as well, sometimes the stomach well look great like there’s no problems but the biopsies will tell another story…….My boy does this he has the Helicobacter-Pylori + IBD she needs to be put on Omeprazole (Losec) taken every morning doesn’t have to be before food, Omeprazole is a blocker & stops making the Hydrochloric acid in the stomach, your vet will explain how Omeprazole works, for now buy some liquid Mylanta put in fridge also buy a 20ml syringe to pull up the Mylanta about 3-5 mls & put in the side of her mouth when reverse swallowing starts happening, the Mylanta will coat her esophagas & stomach & she will stop the reverse swallowing… I watch the video you need to find out why this is happening, my boy did the same thing as your girl is doing in video the other morning he woke up from his morning sleep 8am, he had eaten 1 hr before 7am, straight away he got up ran to the front door for his grass, the grass pushes the acid back down throat but vet said to give him the Liquid Mylanta instead it coats the lining of the stomach & throat….Make her comfortable a bit of Mylanta will not hurt her it will relieve her symptoms instantly trust me…
See a vet that does Endoscope & Biopsies or ask vet can she be started on the Omeprazole straight away, to see how she goes, some vets will give you a repeat script, so you just pick the Omeprazole at the chemist…..

[Wendy C]

Hi All,

I’m new here but my issue isn’t. I have a 7 1/2 year old female Miniature Pinscher that has been dealing with these episodes for years. I was originally told it was a bronchial issue caused by unknown allergens in or around my house. I was also told that there was a post nasal drip, which caused the swallowing, the nausea was due to the swallowing of the saliva, the coughing was an irritation in the throat from the allergen etc. I would give her Benadryl which never has helped. Peanut butter, to calm the hacking or dry biscuits to help with nausea but they continued…and I went on for years thinking I at least had some idea of what was happening. Now I’m feeling a little lost because I think it is all wrong.

Pepper has two types of episodes, the first is the hard swallow, hours of running outside to eat grass, followed by a retching cough (the cough looks and sounds like kennel cough) and loud burps. If she whines, it almost does sound like she has a sore throat. In these episodes, she may or may not also experience reverse sneezes that seem to go on forever. Most episodes happen late at night and last anywhere from a few hours to 24 hours, except for the last three.

The 2nd type of episode, which I have only seen 3 or 4 times in the last few years, looks like a facial seizure, there’s rapid licking, swallowing and gulping which is very fast for a few minutes and then this crazy run to the backyard to eat grass. then the hard swallowing for a bit and then it eventually subsides and she’s fine. This episode happened most recently about a month ago while we were sitting on the floor playing.

A week ago she had an episode with the hard swallowing and it was the first time that she started to bite at the carpet. (i posted the video on IG… and provided the link below…note I’m not looking for followers, just want to show what I’m experiencing…)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTw6LZSgtmn/?taken-by=wendyclaypool

The carpet biting was new so I posted the video since no one I know had experienced any of the same things I was dealing with. I started to feel alone and crazy (because they were happening mostly at night and I was the only one seeing them). Once I posted the video people started bringing up the possibility of acid reflux which I started researching, which led me here.

We had a really bad episode this past weekend which prompted me to make another vet appointment and now I’m wondering if it’s worth it. I will go and she will show no symptoms because as I’m typing this, she’s running around like everything is normal once again. I would like to find out if I can safely give her pepcid but I don’t want to self-diagnose. My goal is just to make sure she is comfortable and to save her from the stress. Just feeling like I’m back at square one.

[Susan]

Hi Matt,
Sounds like your dog has Seasonal Environment Allergies & Food Intolerances. My boy has both, his vet said if they have food sensitivities they normally will have some type of environment allergies as well… as soon as I read your post about his hives on his legs, tail & abdomen I knew environment allergies probably from grass, tree or plants pollens, that’s what Patch gets as soon as Spring starts, my vet said, keep a dairy & as the years pass you’ll start to see a pattern & I did every spring Patch has itchy hives all over his body & face/head, red paws when he walks on wet morning grass, a yeasty smelly mess, but thru the cooler Winter months he’s pretty good, no itchy skin or red paws as long as he doesn’t walk on wet grass or eat any foods he’s sensitive too, Winter we get a break,…
Baths are the best thing you can do, bath as soon as he’s real bad with his hives & itchy skin, give him a bath, I do weekly baths now but I was bathing every 2nd 3rd day at one stage, I use a medicated shampoo “Malaseb” medicated shampoo it’s mild & can be used daily & kills any bacteria, yeast on the skin & keeps their skin nice, moist & soft, when you bath your washing off any allergens, pollens & dirt that’s on their skin, I also use creams on his paws, head around chin & around tail & bum area when he’s bum surfing on my rug, “Sudocrem” is excellent it stops his itchy bum within mins of applying it, Sudocrem is a healing cream for Nappy Rash, Eczema, Dermatitis, Pressure Sore etc, sold in the baby section at any Supermarket or Chemist, the Sudocrem acts as a barrier & protects their skin especially their paws & where their skin is red/pink on stomach area & back of legs, I’d love to show a before & after photo’s after a lady applied the Sudocrem to her dogs red stomach, it’s posted on the Dog issues allergies F/B group link below. I also use Hydrocortisone 1% cream at night I check Patches whole body before bed & if something is still red like in between his toes, I get a cotton tip & thinly apply some Hydrocortisone 1% cream, when he wakes up in the morning all his paws are nice & pink all clear again, you can put on socks & bandage around the paws to stop any licking as licking makes things worse, best to bath the paws in Malaseb & dry them off then apply the Sudocrem,

The only way to know what foods your boy is sensitive too & can eat, is to do a “Food Elimination Diet”… you can use a vet diet like “Royal Canine” Hypoallergenic wet tin food, then once your dog is doing well & not reacting start adding 1 new ingredient to the R/C HP wet food, every 6 weeks add 1 new ingredient, no treats or any extra things are to be feed while your doing an elimination food diet, it can take a dog 1 day up to 6 weeks to react to an ingredient & show symptoms, that’s why sometimes you’ll start a new food & think your dog is doing really well then 3-4 weeks later he’ll start reacting to an ingredient in the new kibble…
Probably half the foods you think he’s sensitive too he isn’t..
I tested & added ingredients that are in the kibbles I wanted to feed… I worked out my boy reacts to chicken, he gets red paws, itchy yeasty smelly skin & itchy bum after I added raw & cooked chicken to his diet, carrots made his ears real itchy & he’d shake his head 20mins after eating the chicken & carrots he reacted, oats & barley made Patches poos very sloppy, I always thought potatoes & peas were causing Patches yeast problems cause potatoes are a high sugar starch but later I learnt a dog will only get yeasty smelly skin, paws & ears if they’re sensitive to a certain ingredient (CARF) or have environment allergies.. Read this link “Myths & Fact about yeast Dermatitis” scroll down to “Carbohydrates & Sugar in your dogs diet. http://www.healthyskin4dogs.com/blog/2015/9/8/facts-myths-about-yeast-dermatitis-in-dogs, Dr Karen Helton Rhodes DVM DACVD often pops into this Face Book group called “Dog issues, allergies and other information support group” join you’ll learn a lot..
Once you have done the Elimination diet, you’ll know what foods are causing what but its best to do a elimination diet in the cooler months Winter when pollens aren’t as bad as the Spring/Summer months..
Can you cook or feed a raw diet? you’ll have better control with your dogs diet, even if you do what I’m doing, I feed a few meals “Canidae” Pure Wild Boar kibble & the other meals are wet tin food Royal Canine HP wet tin or cooked pork rissoles with sweet potatoes. Patch eats 4-5 meals a day, he has IBD as well, if you join the Face Book group I recommended above https://www.facebook.com/groups/240043826044760/
you’ll read some people post their dogs are allergic to mites & the mites are in the dog kibble, or your dog may be allergies to dust mites in your house…. dog allergies starts to get very confusing & as they get older they get worse, but once you get into a routine with weekly or twice a week baths, apply creams, using Huggie baby wipes Coconut oil wipes or Cucumber & Aloe wipes when the dog comes back inside wipe him down days you don’t feel like bathing him & work out his food intolerances.. it gets better..
Here’s a link for Canidae Pure formula’s, the omega 3 is balanced in Canidae kibbles, some brands of kibble are too high in omega 6 & too low in omega 3 causing skin problems in dogs.. http://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products
Zignature is another food people say has helped their allergic dog….Make sure your dogs diet is high in Omega 3 it will help with their allergies, ad few sardines to 1 of your dogs meal a day.. buy tin sardines or salmon in spring water also green lipped mussels are good to give as a treat.