I think Carlie has Acid Reflux.. Does this seem right? Help!

*Amy*

New Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
904
Likes
0
Points
0
Age
34
Location
FL
#1
Starting about a month or 2 back, I would find a little puke in Carlie's crate in the morning, but it was never food or anything bad looking. It always looked like mucous and when I saw her throw up one morning before eating her breakfast it was yellow and really thick so I went online and researched about it and found that she was probably just throwing up bile because her stomach is empty and the bile is irritating it. So then I decided to start feeding her a small meal before she went to sleep at night to keep something in her stomach, but soon enough she was puking up bile again right before I was about to feed her like she was hungry again so I decided to take her into the vet for an examination. She eats fine, poops fine, and has her normal amount of energy (which isn't that much but seems normal for her) so I ruled out any food allergies or any intestinal parasites, but was getting worried about her puking almost every night since it can't be good for her teeth or her esophagus. So they gave me a 14-day prescription for Sucralfate which is to heal any ulcers she might have because of the acid irritation and some Chinese herbal tea pills to promote the downward flow of things so she doesn't puke anymore and also had me giving her Pepcid for a while, but I stopped with the Pepcid after about 6 days because I thought it was unnecessary to continue with Pepcid and all the other meds. She's been fine, but I just have this feeling that she probably has Acid Reflux. If she was puking up bile, doesn't that make sense? My vet didn't even mention Acid Reflux. Anyway I found this article and want some people's opinion on it. It says the following:
Most treatment for acid reflux in dogs can be done at home. Food should be withheld for a day or two, and then a low fat and low protein diet should be administered. Acid reflux in dogs can be combated by feeding small and frequent meals, and dietary fats and proteins should be significantly limited. This is because the fat in the food can decrease the strength of the muscle keeping the esophagus and stomach separated, and the protein in the food can stimulate the secretion of gastric acid into the esophagus. Another option for combating acid reflux in dogs is to administer medicine in the form of a gastrointestinal pro-kinetic agent. These medications are capable of improving the movement of the stomach contents through the intestines, and are also capable of strengthening the gastroesophageal sphincter. Even when on medication, however, a change in diet is necessary for combating acid reflux on a long term basis.

Does this make sense? Should I put her on a less protein, less fat food? I was thinking Wellness Core Reduced Fat which has 33% protein and 9% fat. Right now I have her on Orijen which is 42% protein 16% fat. I really like Orijen, but if this article is factual, and it sounds like it is, then maybe the Orijen isn't good if she has Acid Reflux.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.
 

Buddy'sParents

*Finding My Inner Fila*
Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Messages
25,377
Likes
0
Points
36
#3
Banzai had a small bout of acid reflux not too long ago. I gave him 10mg of generic pepcid at night for a few days (vets suggestion) and that seemed to help settle his tummy. Meals went from one to two again and he's been fine since.

I'd have a hard time cutting out proteins, etc.. I want my dogs to eat well.
 

*Amy*

New Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
904
Likes
0
Points
0
Age
34
Location
FL
#4
Okay, thanks so much for the input. I like to hear that other dogs have had this problem and have gotten over it. :)
 

Buddy'sParents

*Finding My Inner Fila*
Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Messages
25,377
Likes
0
Points
36
#5
Yeah, it got to the point where I was so worried I made them do a GI thingy where they look to make sure all looks good, because nothing is ever wrong with Banzai (**knocks on wood fervently**). So we changed the last meal of the day to be a bit later, with a somewhat early morning meal and snacks (training, etc) in middle of day. Have not had a problem since. We keep the pepcid on hand, just in case, but if I recall we really only used it for a few days. :)
 

*Amy*

New Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
904
Likes
0
Points
0
Age
34
Location
FL
#6
Yeah, I was almost to the point of wanting an endoscopy, as well. It's so tough with dogs because I feel like I'm almost always guessing what's wrong instead of really knowing, but we'll see how it goes. She's done with the ulcer medication and Pepcid (which I gave her for about 5 days) so now it's just waiting to see if she'll be fine. It's good to hear Banzai got better. :)
 

Bailey08

New Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2008
Messages
2,467
Likes
0
Points
0
#7
My dog is on generic pepcid. From my understanding (from talking to his internal medicine vet specialist), there is no problem with taking pepcid daily for an extended period of time. We think he has acid reflux in addition to his underlying GI issues. It has helped and I can tell if he hasn't had it on any given day (he coughs, though; he doesn't vomit).
 

Members online

No members online now.
Top