Vet-Approved Home Remedies for Upset Stomachs in Dogs
Here’s a step-by-step guide to treating your dog's upset stomach at home. At the veterinary hospital where I used to work, I learned about these effective, natural home remedies. We would offer these tips as an option to owners of dogs with minor stomach upset when we had a shortage of vets and no same-day appointments available.
Not surprisingly, these clients often didn't reschedule because their dogs recovered nicely after using these vet-approved remedies! You can make them with ingredients in your pantry.
If followed carefully, these may soothe or heal your dog's upset stomach. However, in some instances, they are not sufficient and medical treatment is the only choice. Here are the steps in brief, with more thorough explanations below.
Quick Look at the Steps for Treating Your Dog's Upset Stomach With Home Remedies
- Determine if you should try to treat your dog for its upset stomach at home. You should NOT attempt home treatment if your dog is acting lethargic, vomiting continuously, having continuous squirts of diarrhea, expressing bloody stools, or getting dehydrated quickly.
- Check your dog's hydration levels, either by examining their skin elasticity or by checking their gums for color. See your vet immediately if your dog is dehydrated.
- Fast your dog for 12 - 24 hours, depending on their size and age. See the vet immediately if your dog continues to vomit even after you've taken food away.
- Limit the amount of water they drink to prevent them from getting dehydrated. Though it may seem counter-intuitive, letting your dog gulp water may further irritate his or her stomach. See below for tips on how to avoid this.
- Put them on a bland diet of rice and low-fat meat. Bonus foods could include plain canned pumpkin, a tablespoon or two of yogurt, or probiotics.
- Monitor your dog closely. They should have better-formed stools and no more vomiting episodes. Take your dog to the vet if they are acting lethargic or not like their normal selves.
- If this doesn't work, go see a vet. It's possible there is a more serious underlying condition.
- Re-introduce regular foods gradually. Never go back to their old diet quickly. That can cause stomach upset all over again.
Disclaimer: Because there are many possible causes for your dog's upset stomach, please see your vet for a thorough examination. This article is not to be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
Symptoms
Typically, dogs with a stomach upset will show the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Salivation
- Desire to eat grass or to lick the carpets/floor
- Loss of appetite
- Passing gas
- Gurgling noises from the stomach
Step 1: Determine If Your Dog Is a Candidate for These Remedies
Once again, the home remedies listed in this article are not for all dogs—some should see the vet as soon as possible, as their upset stomach may have a serious underlying cause that needs to be addressed.
So please see your vet if your dog is acting sick or lethargic, running a fever, and not acting as his normal self. There could be a serious condition that needs immediate veterinary attention, such as parvovirus, an intestinal obstruction, gastroenteritis, or pancreatitis!
So who are these remedies good for? They may help those dogs who:
- Have an upset stomach from recently switching foods (new foods should always be introduced gradually!).
- Underwent a recent dietary indiscretion—think raiding the trash can. This only applies if the dog did not consume fatty foods (which can cause pancreatitis), toxic products, or bones that can cause a blockage.
Do not try home remedies for an upset stomach if your dog is:
- Acting lethargic
- Vomiting continuously
- Having continuous squirts of diarrhea
- Expressing bloody stools
- Getting quickly dehydrated.
Again, these remedies are only for mild cases due to dietary indiscretions or abrupt diet changes. Seek your vet if your dog is sick and the vomiting and diarrhea are severe and not getting any better. If in doubt, it's best to err on the side of caution and see the vet than to use home remedies and delay treatment.
Once you have determined that your dog may be a good candidate, you can move on to step two to make sure your dog isn't dehydrated and then you can try following the bland diet protocol.
Warning! If your dog's stomach appears distended or your dog is pacing nervously, drooling, and retching without producing vomit, see your vet immediately as this may be bloat, a life-threatening condition seen more often in deep-chested dogs.
Did You Know?
Stomach upsets are one of the primary reasons dogs see the vet, according to Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI)!
Step 2: Check Hydration Levels
If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, you need to make sure he is not becoming dehydrated. Continuous vomiting and repeated liquid diarrhea may lead to a rapid loss of fluids. This is one of the biggest dangers for dogs suffering from vomiting and diarrhea.
Keep in mind that small dogs and puppies tend to become dehydrated more quickly than larger ones. To check your dog's hydration levels, do the following:
- Check for Skin Elasticity—Among the tests we used to check for hydration levels was checking for skin elasticity since the skin quickly loses elasticity in a dehydrated dog because it starts lacking moisture. To check the level of skin elasticity: Gently lift the skin on the back or between shoulder blades in a tent using two fingers. If the skin snaps back quickly into position, good. If it delays, or worse, stays lifted, then the dog needs to be re-hydrated quickly. Often, this entails subcutaneous fluids from the vet (an IV).
- Check the Gums—It is good practice to check the gums as well. Typically, a well-hydrated and healthy dog's gums are a nice salmon pink color and coated with a slimy film of saliva. Run your finger over your dog's gums and check for sliminess. Dry or tacky gums are a warning sign of dehydration.
Another way we used to assess dehydration was by checking the dog's gum capillary refill time (CRT). When dehydration takes place, the volume of circulating blood is reduced from its normal amount. The gums are the best place to look for this. To check for capillary refill time do the following: Press on your dog's gums with your fingertip until the area becomes white, then remove your finger and count how long it takes for the gum's surface to return to its normal pink color. Generally, the normal refill time is less than two seconds. The average capillary refill time in a dog is 1.5 seconds. More than that may suggest the blood is not flowing normally.
Warning: See your vet immediately if your dog doesn't pass these hydration tests!
Step 3: Fasting
If the hydration levels check out, you can proceed to fasting. To fast, pack away any food he may have out and don't feed him anything (including treats!) for at least 12-24 hours. The purpose of this is to allow the gastro-intestinal tract to rest and recover if inflamed.
Many dogs do this naturally by losing their appetites for a few hours after being sick. However, your dog may not be sick enough to lose his appetite, so you may need to step in to prevent him from further upsetting his stomach with food.
Fasting for a few hours will do no harm, and, in this case, it is considered therapeutic. Indeed, according to veterinarian Nancy Scanlan in an article for Veterinary Practice News, "Complete or modified fasting is a natural part of a wild canine's diet and fasting or some form of reduced calories also benefits their health."
The general protocol for vomiting or diarrhea is to fast for a minimum of 12 to 24 hours. Puppies and small dogs should not fast for more than 12 hours—usually the whole night will suffice. If you own a small dog or young puppy, and you want to fast him 12 hours, rubbing a little bit of pancake syrup on his gums may help keep his energy level up and prevent his glucose level from dropping.
Warning! See your vet immediately if your dog continues to vomit even after you have taken the food away!
Vet-Approved Protocols
Step 4: Keep Them Hydrated
Often, water may cause further upset, leading to more vomit, and actually increasing dehydration, creating significant problems. This usually happens if a dog with an upset stomach gulps down a large quantity of water in a short amount of time. Before you know it, all the water has come back up and he's back to square one.
To prevent your dog from consuming water too quickly, offer him ice chips instead—at least until he feels better. You can also try freezing Gatorade and offer it for him to lick. If there is no vomiting for at least four hours, you can try filling his bowl with small quantities of water. Don't let your dog gulp lots of water at once; try 1/4 to 1/2 cup an hour depending on your dog's size (unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian).
If your dog is able to keep down some water, you can then try offering some clear liquids such as plain Pedialyte, Gatorade, apple juice diluted 50:50 with water, or chicken/beef broth—with no onion or garlic—diluted 50:50 with water.
Warning! Puppies and small dogs tend to dehydrate much more quickly than larger ones. Use extra caution on these guys when they get an upset stomach!
Vet-Approved Remedies
Step 5: Start the Bland Diet
After the 12-24 hour fast, if there hasn't been any vomiting, and if he has been able to keep down small quantities of liquids, you may then offer a bland diet. A bland diet is a diet that is easy on the dog's stomach, similar to the BRAT diet in humans.
Bland Diet Recipe
You will need:
- Boiled rice
- White meat chicken or extra-lean hamburger
The recipe must contain 75% boiled white rice, and 25% low-fat protein (the chicken or ground beef). The rice is the bulk of the meal for the purpose of binding while the meat is mostly there to work as an enticing ingredient to encourage the dog to eat.
- If you choose chicken, make sure the skin is taken off and there are no bones.
- If you choose hamburger, make sure the meat is lean and the fat is drained off after cooking. Fat may cause pancreatitis and exacerbate the upset stomach.
- Note: Do not add any oils, fats, or spices to the bland diet!
Offer the bland diet in three or four small meals throughout the day for a few days until your dog is feeling better.
According to veterinarian Jon Rappaport in an article for PetPlace.com, you can test whether your dog is ready for food by starting with a small amount such as a tablespoon. If he can keep it down successfully, you can then offer more two hours later. If he's still doing well on it, the meals can gradually become larger and spaced further apart. For example, you would go from two tablespoons every two hours to ½ - 1 cup every three or four hours.
What If My Dog Does Not Like the Bland Diet?
If you do not have any rice and chicken or ground beef or if your dog does not like the bland diet, you can try to feed meat-based baby food with no onion or garlic in it. This is very bland, and most dogs find it tasty. Warming the canned food up or adding a little bit of warm broth (again, with no onion or garlic in it) may make the food more enticing. Keep in mind though that a lack of appetite suggests he is not feeling very well, which is indicative that a vet visit is a better option than trying to force him to eat.
A Bonus Ingredient:
- Adding a dollop of plain yogurt or cottage cheese will help sooth the inflamed stomach and intestines, especially if the upset stomach is accompanied by diarrhea.
- Probiotics such as FortiFlora may also help treat diarrhea by promoting the growth of good bacteria (see more below).
- Plain canned pumpkin (without spices, not the pie mix) may further help with diarrhea as it firms up the stools. One to four tablespoons, depending on your pet's size, would help.
- Additionally, many vets seem to agree that slippery elm bark can help for diarrhea. For more on this, read my article on slippery elm bark for dogs with upset stomach.
Not Looking Forward to Cooking? Commercially-Available Soothing Diets
If you are not to eager to cook up the bland diet, or you want to keep your dog on a diet for dogs with sensitive tummies, there are commercial diets that are quite bland. According to veterinarian Debra Promovic, the following are some commercial bland diets:
• Hill's Prescription Diet I/D
• Iams Recovery Diet
• Provision EN
• Waltham Low Fat
Step 6: Monitor Closely
Now that you've checked your dog for dehydration, fasted him or her, offered liquids, and started a bland diet, you must monitor for progress—hopefully—or signs of worsening. So monitor carefully during this time.
- Do not hesitate to take him to the vet if he becomes lethargic, is laying around, and not acting like his normal self.
- While on the bland diet, monitor your dog to make sure he has no more vomiting episodes and his stools are better formed.
What If the Upset Stomach Persists?
If your dog is still having an upset stomach despite the fasting and bland diet, it often means that the upset stomach is severe, and home remedies will not work.
Instead, a more intense treatment, such as meds, may be required from your vet. It also often means that there may be a problem that needs to be addressed, such as intestinal parasites, protozoans (e.g. giardia), or even a serious condition, such as parvo virus (which is common in puppies), gastro-enteritis, pancreatitis, an intestinal blockage, or another condition affecting the gastro-intestinal tract. At times, other organs may be affected, such as the liver and kidneys. So, go see a vet immediately if you think your dog has more than a mild upset tummy and don't try home remedies.
As seen, the natural home remedy of a bland diet may be helpful in many cases, but there are cases that need immediate vet attention. Usually, your dog's behavior will give you hints on what to do. Chances are that if your dog is not acting right, the vet may need to be seen the same day.
What If the Bland Diet Worked?
If the bland diet worked and your dog is feeling better (no more vomiting and more solid-looking bowel movements), then it is time to switch again to a regular diet. Be very careful; countless people switch too fast only to cause another upset stomach!
How to Reintroduce Regular Food
At this point, gradually add the regular diet and taper off the rice meal. This is best done very gradually and slowly over the course of a few days.
To give you an idea of how gradually:
- Offer 75% of the bland rice diet with 25% of the dog's regular kibble and give it for three days.
- If the dog does well, then offer half rice diet and half dog kibble in a 50-50 mixture for another three days.
- If your dog seems comfortable, then start feeding 100% of his regular diet again.
This is the same protocol used when introducing any new food to your pet.
Never Introduce a New Food Right Away!
Any new food must be added gradually to the older food to prevent tummy problems. Most dog foods clarify how to do this in the feeding instructions. The only possible exception to this rule are special diets for sensitive tummies. These generally do not create problems when switched right away because they are very bland. Consult with your vet if in doubt!
Should My Sick Dog Be Nibbling on Grass?
Why do dogs like to eat grass when their stomachs are upset? There are many theories. Some think dogs have in innate drive to eat grass in order to feel better. Indeed, it appears that the blades of grass trigger vomiting when the right amount is eaten. However, as much as your dog loves nibbling on grass when his stomach is upset, discourage this habit. Many lawns are treated with fertilizers and other chemicals, making the practice far from being therapeutic!
Note: If your dog tends to get an upset stomach when on his normal food, consider asking your vet to switch foods. At times, a special diet for sensitive stomachs may be recommended such as Hill's I/D or a homemade diet.
What About Over-the-Counter Meds?
Some over-the-counter medications may prove helpful for diarrhea (Adrienne Mulligan recommends some in the video above). Nevertheless it is best to err on the side of caution when using over-the-counter meds; they should only be used while overseen by a veterinarian.
The most common over-the-counter meds used to treat diarrhea in dogs are Immodium A/D (loperamide) and Pepto/Bismol. While these are, for the most part, safe when given in the correct dosage, they may cause side effects. For more on this read: 5 Good Reasons Not to Give Imodium Without a Vet's Consent.
- Immodium, also known as loperamide, for instance, can cause allergies in dogs that are sensitive to it (never give it to collie breeds and collie mixes) and should be used with caution in dogs suffering from hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and Addison's disease. It should not be given to elderly or severely debilitated animals unless recommended by a vet. If the diarrhea has been caused by the ingestion of toxins or bacteria, products like loperamide should be avoided, because the dog needs to clear out the toxins or bacteria from his system. According to veterinarian Dawn Ruben, due to the potential for overdose, dogs weighing under 20 pounds should be given loperamide in liquid form, not tablets. Constipation, bloating, and sedation are known side effects of loperamide.
- Peptol-Bismol (kaopectate). Not everyone is aware that Pepto contains salicylate. Just two tablespoons of it contains as much salicylate as an aspirin, according to veterinarian Mark Papich. As with other meds, Pepto-Bismol can cause allergies to sensitive dogs. While no serious complications are associated with it, there seems to be no agreement that it is helpful either, further explains Mark Papich. A darkening of the stools after giving it is considered normal. Note: If your dog has bloody stool, the aspirin in the Pepto will thin the blood, which is not good!
What About Using Probiotics?
Probiotics are great for restoring good bacteria in your dog's gut. If antibiotics have been prescribed, they may have wiped away the good bacteria along with the bad. There are several types on the market, including:
- Prostora, made by Iams
- Proviable, made by Nutramax Labs
- Fortiflora, made by Purina
These are all pretty good. Prostora comes in tasty tablets, Proviable comes in paste, and Fortiflora is sprinkled on food.
Note: Some owners obtain good results from giving low-fat, active-culture yogurt (look for the names of active bacteria in the ingredients) with no colors or artificial sweeteners added. Generally, one or two teaspoons given twice daily will suffice.
Some vets recommend giving probiotics after, not during, a course of antibiotics. According to veterinarian Lorie Houston, "Using antibiotics, such as metronidazole, with probiotics is a somewhat controversial topic. Some veterinarians recommend using one or the other but not both. Others feel that the two products can be used together. In this case, the worst-case scenario is that the antibiotics might kill some or all of the bacteria contained in the probiotic, rendering the probiotic ineffective." Some vets recommend giving the probiotics several hours before or after the administration of antibiotics to prevent this from happening.
If your dog has a sensitive stomach and repeated diarrhea, it may be helpful to get some probiotics to help him restore some healthy bacteria. Keep in mind, though, that because probiotics are alive, they must be stored in a cool place and have a short shelf life. If you are planning to use probiotics you bought for your dog's upset stomach in the past, check the expiration date to make sure they are still fresh!
Veterinarian Explains the Importance of Probiotics
Do you take your dog to the vet for an upset tummy?
Questions & Answers
Effective dog upset stomach comments
I have five dogs rescued all of them two adults and three seniors.
Gets very costly as three on meds and trying to feed them healthier
As i just retired
Any suggestion can i give them hard boiled eggs and some brown rice couple of times a week to add to food how about coconut oil any suggestion on the oil what kind?
Thank you
I have friends who come to visit,and Buster 130 lb. lab retriever intimidates them by his size.i just tell them he may lick you to death if you don't becarefull,for Buster it is a nervous tic.he does eat lots of grass though, he has had needy problem since he was a puppy
Wally..had this before upset belly
Vet didnt seem to concern gave a
Shot of some thing.?...top vet knows
His dogs. I hand feed my dog doesnt
Go to the dish eat dry dog food. So
I give wet dog food..small dog 41/2
Pounds. I may help his upset i give
Lunch meat cut up. And i give little
Milk each day ..doesnt go to the water dish alot.?. Like i said been
To vet doesnt have the runs..
He had 18 teeth pull year 1/2 ago
He does throw up little . he means
A awful lot to me i dont have lot
Of money..vets are not cheap..
Hard to explain i know my dog
Maybe get away from cut up lunch
Meat will help.
He is a very stand offish from dog
Food..so i hand feed him maybe
Back off put down let him try on
His own..? ..just a little guy belly
Makes sounds..like i said had before
More then one time goes on for
Hours ..then with out food goes back
And feels better..apears.?. ...wish i
Can find something he would love
On his own to eat...last time vet gave
Him a shot for his upset belly..
In north branch.minn
boiled or steamed rice with curd is the best for stomach upsets be it man or doggies
I just wanted to say ,this site is the best.
My dash hand is 13. Sometimes she has trouble passing her stool as well. I switched her diet to raw BCR and she is a new dog, high energy and feels better. She was having anal gland problems where she couldn't go to the washroom and took forever, passing nothing. Also pumpkin in with the raw lamb made a huge difference. Worth a dietary change for sure!
My dashund likes her food ,we try to keep her healthy, what worries me is after she has passed her stool,she still keep walking around trying to do more she will bop. perhaps five or six times but passes nothing,she is eleven years old ,she's been to the vets and been examined but they cannot find anything wrong,could it be old age,her stools vary in colour,she loves us to play with her,she is very active.
If that aforementioned bland diet doesnt work, stop the chicken! 3 vets and 3 months of diarrhea before a vet online suggested a LOT of dogs have become allergic to chicken after eating it for decades. Almost lost my dog. Changed his food to NO chicken at all and magically the next day he was back to normal.
I have a question i have a puppy and she is not eating and she is vomiting like water her stool is liquid to.. Shes not active like yesterday what do i do? Im worried
I asked if a person can give a dog milk?? No answer.
- Author
Pat, milk can cause many dogs to become gassy and get an upset stomach. Try not giving milk anymore and see your vet if it continues. He shouldn't be in pain every evening, your vet may need to run several tests.
I have a 4lb Yorkie that has a problem with gas. He groans and is under stress. I didn't know they could not have milk because he likes to finish up my cereal . So tonight I looked on line to find out what is causing him to have so much gas. He doesn't drink milk very often but every night he's in pain . Please help, He eat Parina puppy chow. He must be at least 5 or 6 yrs old, he's a rescue . Thank you
question... I have a dog that had surgery on Friday and is still not eating. she drinks and throws little bits of it back up. HELP...
- Author
Joni, it is difficult to make the switch because human foods are more appealing to dogs. Perhaps you can ask your vet about starting with a good brand of canned food that is gentle on the stomach. Canned food is far more fragrant than dry. Then you can gradually add in dry food if that's what you are planning to give for the long term. Another brand of dog food that is really tasty and "human-food" like is the Honest Kitchen, which is dehydrated food to which you ad water and it turns into a soup, but you may want to ask the company if they have a formulation that is more gentle on the stomach since your dog is having digestive issues. You can even consult with a veterinary nutritionist if you want to keep cooking for your dog and prefer to use home-made recipes that are nutritionally complete and easy to digest..
- Author
Jennifer, A bland diet is not meant to be fed long term, because it is not nutritionally incomplete. I would recommend having a throughout work-up from your vet to understand why this is happening. She may need medications for motility problems. Some dog owners find that adding some fiber such as plain canned pumpkin (not the pumpkin pie type with spices) helps increasing motility. To answer your question, yes, there are several dog foods for sensitive stomachs, but vets prescribe them generally after ruling out any medical problems that can be causing vomiting. Food once opened should be stored in an airtight container to prevent it from losing its fragrance. The shelf life of dog food varies, but generally, if you keep it from getting wet and exposed to air, it lasts longer. Check the expiration dates. Food that is expired can be rancid. Dog foods with natural preservatives generally have a much shorter shelf life. I hope this helps.
My dog vomits a couple hours after she eats. It is undigested. She has no other symptoms at all, she still plays frisbee, drinks, eats 3/4 cup of food twice a day, she drinks regularly, and poop a couple times a day and it's normal, she gets no table scraps and maybe 1 or two small cookies (treats) per day. Her stomach is not distended or sensitive to the touch. Shes perfectly normal except for puking up the food. She does gulp, and recently got one of the slow feed bowls. Is there dog food for sensitive stomachs? And how long is dog food good for after its opened? I will be trying this bland diet thing as well as get her new food for her upset tummy. Please help.
I have fed my dog with human food for years. I thought it was better and I didn't trust dog food companies. Now that I've realized what a big mistake that was, I have no idea how to repair the damage and make him eat dog food. He's been having on and off stomach problems for a while. I've taken him to two different vets and they both say it's a diet problem. Either he's had too much fat in his diet, or he just simply needs to switch to dog food. Now I've been giving him both the lean chicken and bland rice and dog food, but he barely touches the dog food and he's sick of the bland rice. He goes through phases in which he fasts and phases in which he's constantly hungry and can't be satisfied with anything. I'm a first time dog owner, and even though I've had him for 6 years now, I still don't know how to solve the food problem. He hasn't had any problem in the past. This problem is recent and it has become the single most stressful thing in my life. So since none of the vets are being helpful at all, and I can't afford more expensive tests and doctors, can anyone help? How do I make my dog eat dog food and hopefully start being healthy again!
I have a question about my dad's dog. His dog is a pit mix & he licks everything doesn't matter what it is. The walls, floor, people, clothes your wearing, the other dog's-mine & my mom's, the doors, couch & pretty much anything else you can think of. I've told my dad that it's not normal but he says it's a pit thing/habit but I've never seen a dog that obsesses licks EVERYTHING. He said his full blood pit did the same thing but I don't remember him licking as much as his dog now doe's who also is a rescue who has bad behavior sometimes. So far during my study I haven't heard of this habit in pits but have been told by a Vet during my internship for Vet assistant that it's a sign an animal may need prozic. I'm still learning. I'm concerned about this behavior. Is it a common habit in pits or is it something more? Doe's anyone else have this issue? It does get annoying pretty quickly. If he was my dog I'd already had him at the Vets but per my dad it's nothing to worry about. Thank you for your help & time.
- Author
It could be the switch was done too quickly. Generally, the switch should be more gradually done over the course of 5-7 days with the new food being gradually added to the old. You can encourage fluid intake by offering an ice-cube to lick a little at a time. See your vet if this keeps on going on in case it's caused by another issue, not correlated to the diet change.
I have A 2 year old Scottie terrier and I'm worried because he has not made a bowel movement in two and a half days what do I do
Thank you, if you need to write more than that after reading this article, than you should be taking your animal to the vet and not typing long comments!!!!!
I just found so many good advices concerning my dog condition, im very happy.
- Author
Has your dog gone to the vet? If so, and he is still sick, please report back to the vet or consult with a veterinarian specializing in internal medicine.
I have a Shi Zu who is 20 pounds I know he is overweight, and he lick the carpet, I know that is a side effect of stomach, but as of lately my dog for about 15 minutes or so, he has a fever or so, as his stomach goes in and out, and he makes noice, when he get like that he get weak. Eventually it goes away. Can you please help
My 46 days old rott is vomiting again and again from past 4 days
Not eating just lying in floor
Medication such as metronidazole and Ondansetron are onn
What morr i should do to make him well
Plsss help
Thank you for this information will be very useful now and in the future.
my bitch has stomach problem always. she only like vegs and dont like meat. what should i give to her. please recommend any home remedy
Hello.. thank you for all the great advice.
I adopted a rescued dog 6 weeks ago.. the first poop I saw had grass in it. He didn't eat much for the first day or so which I wasn't worried about as I knew the change in home could cause some stress to him. The next time he pooped his poop was very soft then turned to diarrhea then a dark purple mucus by the end of the day. I took that and the dog to the vet.
They tested for parvo and giardia, drew blood to check his white cell count etc and everything came back negative. They gave me metronidazole and a de wormer and put him on this bland diet. He didn't poop for 3 days but when he did it was more normal. He did throw up a few hours after I would give him the metronidazole in his food. I waited a few days before deworming and he threw up about 4 hours after taking that but the vet said it would have been in his system long enough to be effective.
Gradually moved him onto the Royal Canin Vet Diet GI High energy formula.
Within those first 2 week she had the costo lanb and rice food then the stater brothers kibble that the rescue family had given him and then the vet prescription diet. With all 3 foods I found that every 3-4 days his tummy would gurgle for hours and he would not eat that day until late in the afternoon or even close to 24 hours.
Vet tested for pancreatis and that was negative, his stools did firm up with the Vet Diet the Royal Canin one which he is still on BUT his tummy still does the gurgling/no eating thing every 3-4 days and twice in the past 3 weeks he has had soft stools which then turned to the dark purple mucus poop. Today he had a regular bowel movement which then turned to dark brown and runny, to purple mucus then almost clear mucus all within an hour. He does still drink water and I keep an eye on his hydration levels, hes never appeared to get dehydrated.
I'm at a loss as to what to do next .. he is a 70lb looks like american staffordshire mix dog. About 18 months old, was fixed about 6 months ago and is up to date on his shots.
This is an hour after the soft/black/purple mucus poop and I've just made some chicken and rice to offer him in a few hours.
He sleeps a lot and is a very mellow dog in general.
He has gone from a neglected puppyhood (underweight, kept in a yard for breeding and possibly beaten to 2 1/2 acres in the country to run on with other dogs but on a poor diet/still little care, his rescuers had limited finances, they told me he got worms from their other dogs and was filthy when I got him, to now living in a suburb so a lot of changes for him. I take him to the dog park 2-3 times a day and he comes to life around other dogs, loves to play and wrestle and run and he also gets a weekly walk on the beach before his bath and daily walks around the neighborhood.
I live in an apartment so he doesn't have access to eat plants or critters etc and it appears he came to me with this issue (had grass in his first bowel movement when he got here).
He is such a great natured dog I hate to see him suffer, he doesn't act like he is in pain or anything but he does sleep a lot.
I've already spent a small fortune at the vet.. so what do you think it cold be? What can I try next?
I'm going to try doing just the rice and chicken for a week? See if the tummy gurgling/day of fasting still occurs?
How much of the rice/chicken mixture should he get each day? He's 70lbs
Thank you!! I added as much information as I thought relevant to try help you .. oh he has had ear and eye infections since I got him and lick his paws a lot.. he had a small raw spot between his toes which healed quickly with hexachlor wipes and Resortin.
He can't seem to empty his anal glands himself, vet has done it and he has had his boy bits flushed with Chlorhexidene a few times because of a heavy green discharge. I know pupus is normal but the vet felt this was too heavy and green the flushing helps clear itup.
So all in all this little boy is having a rough time.. are they all connected? Is there something me and the vets are missing?
I need some advice. I have a 3 year old German Shepard and she has had diarrhea for 2 days now. She has had no vomiting, she has been playful as usual, no dehydration, and she is eating fine. What should I do?
Hello- current status, Vet switched his food to Hills Prescription Z/D
Also giving 1 tablet/day Metoclopramide /day( split between two meals, and 2 tablets /day ( Morning/Evening) Metronidazole. Still giving 1/2 rice cake ( no salt)/evening snack. Also getting 2 acid pills/day( morning-night)
No treats or any other food.
Keanu at this point doing much better, stools are good,wants to play and he is eating the Z/D.
I will talk to our Vet Monday again, and report.
Hopefully he will continue to stabilize and have a good week.
Last Monday Vet kept him on 2 more weeks of antibiotics( also reduces swelling inside). Keanu has not missed a meal( 3 times/day) of chicken breast/skinless, rice and pumkin ). This morning ( Saturday) after we went out where he did a hard stool, and plyed. I fed him( plus antibiotic , and acid pill), and about 1 hr latter in through up psghm and white rice. the chicken stayed down. Just like last Sunday( 6 days earlier) he did same through up.
I will call Vet( we have appointment to review) Monday, she wanted to mix Hills prescription W/D soon, since what I am giving him is not very balanced-no fat/no grain.
Just thinking perhaps I am giving him to much white rice for his digestive system?? Or the antibiotic can cause this??
Your thinking?
Thanks for caring. Keanu is not in any pain, and still has plenty of wnegy for a 12 year old mutt( best friend)
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Tomg, Sorry for the late reply, I have been away from my desk for over a week. How is your dog doing now?
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These are questions your should address to your vet or ask a second vet for another opinion. Even better consult with a vet specializing in digestive issues or a vet nutritionist.
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This sounds like a regurgitation problem that possibly involves the esophagus. Please see a vet as your dog may not be receiving enough nutrients if the food doesn't makes its way to the stomach.
Keanu has a pancreas problem--I am sure this is not good. Vet allowing him to eat Chicken rice and pumkin only till we talk on Monday. He is still on antibiotics. Will see.
Canine Maldgestion Panel tests and stool tests were good. Vet has him on Metronidazole 3 250mg tablets /day. Also eating white rice, chicken and pumkin--results he is much better stools are getting hard, and he is holding down food. I will move to 2 Metron tablets /day and start to bring back the Hills prescription diet w/d on Monday.
Will speak to Vet on Monday who ordered tests, an adjustment in Diet may be needed, but we must maintain calories for steady weight and vitamins etc for health.
Normal diet/day 1 can Hills W/D presription and 8 ounches of Rachel Ray Nutrise dry. Initial ,Vet thinks the Rachel Ray formula may not be good for him--thought we should also substitue 8 ounces of w/d dry for the RR dry. Also no more treats
Question--Are NO GRAIN foods better for dogs??Do these help, for dogs with my condition??
Your thinking??
F/u-Called vet today as he is pushing loose stool, and is pushing nothing. Seems like right after he eats he has to go outside to do a poop. Vet advised to mix pumkin fill( non sugar), which I just started. If not better tommorow, Vet wants to see him. He has plenty of energy to play
Per your question, Giving him ( Pepcid) Famotidine 20 mg tablets 2 times /day. One tablet before we go out in the morning, and 1 tablet before dinner around 9:30PM
If he takes a treat in the morning after I give him the Pepcid, all is good, if not I know he will not eat breakfast
He through up flem Sunday, but ate most of the rice( I added)/Hills w/D lunch and dinner
Unfortunately he had lose stool( had shape) , Sunday, Monday and a little today . I started him on Chicken/Rice yesterday ( last night-Monday)today. He ate it all he SEEMS FINE for now.
Does he have Infamatory Bowl disease??
I talk to a lot of people and someone told me a diet of chicken and sweet potato could work?? Should I only try Chicken and rice and drop the Hills WD?
Again problem if its going to happen is only when he gets up in the morning??
Thoughts??
he has had a lot of tests-Nothing
My 10-y-old toy Yorkshire terrier always has a good appetite but for the last few days he can't keep anything down. I've given him small pieces of white toast, cooked chicken, potato, pasta, as soon as he eats it it comes back up. He still has energy but I'm getting worried. Should I take him to a vet or let it work itself out?
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A vet visit is in order when dogs refuse to eat and small dogs are more prone to get dehydrated quickly.
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Usually when there is vomiting on an empty stomach it has to do with buildup of acid. Have you tried on top of the snack at night, giving something early in the morning? It is odd though that he doesn't eat afterward and is low on energy, as acid reflux is usually short lived and dogs go back to eating afterward. At this age, I would think more testing may need done if the actual regimen is not working. Something to note, are you giving pepo or pecid? Usually pepcid is the drug of choice for reflux.
We have been in touch about 2 years ago. my dog Keanu, has a very sensative stomach. Currently under Vets advise full can of Hills Prescription W/d , 1 probiatic( Proviable DC , and two pepo tablets per day. Plus he gets 1/2 rice( no salt) cake at night.He has been to the Vet for some serious tests with no known issues.
Problem--about 2 times/month he vomits flem when he wakes up, and will not eat till the next day full of energy. He also may have diareah, and flem in his stool. I worry about him, he is now 12 years old.
Now due to allergies, licking and chewing his paws, 3 benadril/day + antibiotics for 2 weeks( vet advise-infected paw)
HELP/YOUR THINKING Any other suggestions on his stomach issues. Whether its noise , throwing up flem and bile ( a house mess), it only happens when he wakes up. If he is fine in the morning he is fine all day??
Any Thoughts???
Please give me advise my miniture doberman 8mths old had an upset tummy today.. he ate at lunch time as normal but with runny tummy and as the day progressed he didnt seem himself if you call him he doesnt even come to me. I made rice and chicken but he refused to eat or drink.... he gets up and goes out to do his business.....what do i do? Im so worried
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When there is weakness, best bet is to see the vet.
My pit bull is 9 months old and he is very active and has a great appetite... he seemed fine the day before and in the morning he was very weak and no appetite this is not him what should I do
I have a 9 yr old girl shih Tzu and welcome any information concerning her health...thank you so much!
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Since your dog is on chemo and therefore has medical problems, these are questions you should ask your vet to play it safe.
Can I use both a probiotic and yogurt in my dogs food for an upset stomach. She is also on Chemo. She has soft stools now. If I add Pumpkin what dose would you recommend? She's 17lbs.
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I would ask the vet exactly what parasite was found. I am not aware of any parasites that require no treatment. Usually dog owners are sent home with some medication. Perhaps consult with another vet.
My French Bulldog puppy is 4 1/2 months old. When I got him he was on a Raw Diet. I took him to my Vet the next day for a Wellness Exam. The Dr. took a stool sample and said my puppy had a parasite that usually only shows up in livestock from eating raw food. He said it was not something he was worried about or that needed to be treated with medication because it would go away on its own. So I have been transitioning him over to a new kibble from the previous kibble the breeder had him on. He was okay for the first week or 2 but now he has diarrhea on and off but his stools are never firm and yesterday his belly was gurgling and he was Burping a lot and it smelled horrible. I feed him the kibble twice a day and organic boiled chicken for dinner. I have been giving him some plain full fat yogurt, some banana, or blueberries as a mid day snack. What am I doing wrong? I called my Vet this Morning but he's not in until tomorrow. I was thinking maybe I should start my puppy on some FortiFlora which is a Probiotic Known To Help Support Strong Immune Systems and digestive tracts. Or should I ask my Dr. for a prescription of Metronidazole? Any Advice would help. I started my puppy on the 75% plain boiled rice with 25% boiled chicken for breakfast. He ate the whole bowl then took a bowel movement and it wasn't diarrhea but it was firm either. And the smell could burn your eyes it was so strong! French Bulldogs have such sensitive stomachs! He is my 2nd Frenchie and I went thru this with his 1 yr old Sister when she was a puppy as well.... Thank You for any help and advice...
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No the chicken and rice is not meant to be fed long term, only for a short time. To prevent going to poop at 1-2 AM you can try to feed them earlier.
I have two boxers and they have very sensitive stomachs. I have been giving them chicken and rice 3 x's a day for the last 3 months as per recommendation of the vet. I also give them a tblspoon of yogurt in the morning meal. Lately they haven't been pooping like they usually do. It is much less and has gone from 2-3 times a day to 1-2 times a day.. Also they have been wanting to go out at 1 -2 AM to poop (something new.. they usually go out at 10PM to call it a night) what can I do to get them back on schedule and is the chicken and rice sufficient enough for long term??
My dogs symptoms are stomach gurgling really loud and he just isn't himself. This has been 1 month today. He had a stomach ultra sound, X-rays, blood work and urinalysis. All results were normal. He is on prednisone, metronidazole,sucralfate, tylan, and pepcid. He hasn't shown any improvement. The stomach sounds terrible. I am at a loss, and have spent a lot of money. Do you have any suggestions? His diet is boiled chicken, canned food, pumpkin with his meds, and coconut oil. I am getting desperate. The only thib=n the X-rays showed were his hips are bad. He is a 11 year old 20 lb male shih tzu.
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Since there's repeated vomiting, yes, your dog's upset stomach requires definitively vet attention. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Hello, My dog keeps throwing up bile, she threw up Thursday day and Friday night had dheriea and then threw up Sunday morning and monday morning... should i take my dog into see the vet.. im so worried
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I am not sure what you mean by small bors and how he could have an upset stomach after being ran over. Do you mean you think your dog has ingested something and has a blockage?
My male dog got ran over and it was discovered that he has lots of small bors in his stomach. What should i give him to hel0 him pass them
Very helpful article! Thank you! Our labrador eats whatever he can find, so we try to limit his access.
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Slippery elm for dog upset stomach can be found in many health stores, it's not labeled for dogs, it's just the slippery elm bark used for humans. Always consult with your vet or a holistic vet first, before giving any natural remedies and natural cures.
My dog has an upset stomach and I have tried pumpkin, rice, Imodium, Pepto bismol, Kaopectate, ginger, Mylanta, and now after reading your hub I would like to try slippery elm as it's all natural. When my dog has an upset stomach she starts shaking, panting, licking the carpet, drooling and her stomach makes gurgling sounds. Last time she got an upset stomach after boarding. Can you please tell me a good place to get the slippery elm? thanks from a concerned looking for natural cures for her dog's upset stomach.
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Hello Lee, Sorry I got back to you so late. I have been quite busy and have dozens and dozens of comments to moderate and have a hard time keeping up. I hope that by now your dog recovered well from his digestive problems.
I recently called into an animal hospital with questions on what home treatment can I do. What should avoid. Should I induce vomiting. Their response was they could offer no advice unless I drove an hour to the clinic and the fee would be 120$ for consultation. And general look over. I'm so grateful I can Google search and even more grateful to find legitimate and creditable information. I pay for vet visit often but my gratefulness is the availability of gaining knowledge and Better awareness! Thank you.
I just want to share my gratitude for the opportunity of reading and finding this article.gaining knowledge and awareness of the best treatment option with out having to pay a fee or be scene by a vet or animal hospital if you don't bring them in. Thank God!! Resources for ourselves and our pets are what contributes to health and how serious a condition is or is not.
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If this happened 9 hours after eating and it was in the night, you were likely seeing bile which is brought up when the dog's stomach is empty. This can happen when excessive acid is produced in the night when the stomach is empty for a while; however, it could be caused by other things too. If your dog has an appetite after vomiting, it could have been simply acidity, and it shouldn't affect his recovery. Just to be safe, it's better giving the diet in small amounts throughout the day and observe the dog hoping it's kept down, however, if the vomiting continues at night or other times of the day or other symptoms appear, it's an indication that the vet must be sought since as the article explains, not all dogs are good candidates for a bland diet. If your dog keeps vomiting in the night, your vet may need to prescribe an acid reducer or conduct some tests. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
My dog was vomiting after eating or after a few hours and his vomit was solid. I made him fast for 12 hours and gave him the bland diet. He didnt vomit but after 9 hours from his last meal(we were asleep), he then vomited a yellowish liquid. Should I just continue giving him the bland diet?
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Many dogs once they taste something as good as chicken won't go back to eating their kibble or other foods they were previously fed. It's like if we go to a 5 start restaurant and don't want to go back to McDonald's. Vomiting at night is often seen when dogs are on an empty stomach for too long (they vomit bile )and too much bile accumulates. Since your dog is eating chicken at night, this might not be the case. It could be your dog is eating too much at once, and this is causing your dog to vomit or it could be he's eating chicken parts that are too fat (skin) or he;s not used to eating this food or has an intolerance, regardless, it's best to see your vet to make sure that there's nothing else going on. Sometimes when dogs start eating only certain foods rather than others, it could be a sign of a digestive problem.
my dog wants to eat nothing except for boiled chicken. Though before he eats anything. Now he only eats at night, and wants to eat a lot of chicken. After which I started noticing him vomitting at night, he would eat grass and his vomit is still kinda solid. This has been for 2 nights already. Is this Indigestion? Should I also not give him water for 12 hours?
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The best way to settle her stomach for good is preventing her from getting into the rabbit turds and pine nuts in my opinion if that's what's causing the symptoms you see. The vomiting phlegm with some dog food is also occasionally seen when dogs drink a whole lot of water at once. How old is your dog? It would be best to keep her from eating those stuff and observe if she still gets these episodes. I would see the vet before trying home remedies as foam sometimes is seen in dogs with heart problems:https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Why-is-my-Dog-Coughing...
my dog Ellie (Rat Terrier/Beagle mix) is from time to time throwing up white homey flem with bits of her dog food and some time just gags with nothing coming out. She eats well and drinks a fair amount of water but she is always eating rabbit turds and I think pine nuts (as I have a lot of pine trees) in the grass and at times I hear her tummy growl do you think I should try plain yogurt or cottage cheese mixed in her food once a day would help settle there tummy
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Thanks pstraubie48, I am happy you found the article useful. I used these upset stomach remedies for dogs several times. Best wishes!
My daughter worked for a vet for almost five years and she learned so much. Now when her pup has a tummy ache she knows what to do. Soon her pup will be my pup as she is moving and I will be taking her pup who loves me by the way.
I will check with her on tummy issues and also will recheck here too
Well done...
Thanks for sharing
Angels are on the way to you this morning ps
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I am happy you found my hub on dog upset stomach helpful, thanks for stopping by!
This is good to keep in mind. Thanks for the hub.
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Awwww, thank you! I too had many sleepless night with the occasional pup with a bad case of diarrhea. If it's brought from something minor such as a dietary change, the bland diet really helps a lot. Another favorite at my house is slippery elm, it's like nature's natural pepto bismol!
That picture of the poor pup with the thermometer up at the top is so adorable. Aww, poor thing! The Rottweiler is so cute too! Anyway, thank you for the useful information in this hub and the additional info you added in the comments - you're so knowledgeable. My dogs have had upset stomachs in the past and it's been some of the worst, most sleepless nights I've experienced. This info will be handy for me as well as countless other dog owners.
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Another good remedy for dog upset stomach is slippery elm, see my article on it. Of course, as with the bland diet, it's only for mild digestive upset.
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Always best to see vet to play it safe especially with an unspayed female which can be prone to pyometra. The ridges you see may be hives which can form from an allergic reaction, but many other things. Please see your vet as 3 days is a long time and she is not getting any better.
I have two Dobermans, a 5 yr old neutered male and a 4 yr old female, unspayed. For last three days she has been vomiting her food within one-two hours after. She has always wolfed down her food, and is very ravenous each day at dinner time. I would like to try the fasting, but don't think she'll leave me alone if I don't feed her and I still have to feed the boy. I've noticed what seems like ridges in some spots of her fur. I have done the elasticity test noted above and she seems fine there. Not sure what is causing her upset. I have not seen a vet, yet.
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This still refers to the bland diet of rice and chicken mentioned just a few paragraphs above. It''s important to start with small quantities so not to overwhelm the stomach, and if the dog is able to keep it down, the amounts can be gradually increased.
This paragraph left me curious as to what you were referring:
According to veterinarian Jon Rappaport in an article for Pet Place.com you can start by giving a small amount such as a tablespoon and if it is successfully kept down you can then offer more two hours later. If still doing well on it, the quantity can be gradually increased and so the frequency, therefore, you would go from 2 Tbsp every 2 hours, to ½ cup to a cup every 3 or 4 hours.
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Yes, and many dogs love cottage cheese too!
Cottage Cheese is good for upset tummies for dogs as well.
cute dog!!:)
looks like our schnoodle marty!!:)
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Happy to hear that yogurt is helping your dog's upset stomach so much!
The dollop of plain yogurt has been a "rug" saver! Calms our Bailey girl's stomach and no more accidents. Thanks for all the useful tips.
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Good to hear that your dog is doing so much better! I hope it stays this way. Thank you for the update! Kind regards!
Update--It has been almost 2 months and Keanu has not missed a meal. The new diet of Hills Prescription r/d plus probiatics with out a doubt is working. I did check out a list at ACVN, and know who to make a appointment with if needed. Thanks-Hope we have solved the problem
best tom G
What a great hub, really sound advice.
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Yay tomg! Good to hear your dog is doing so much better! Fingers crossed he'll keep thriving on this diet. I would ask a nutritionist your diet questions for the best answer. In particular look for a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) these are veterinarians who are board certified specialists in veterinary nutrition.
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Thanks so much lrc7815. I use these remedies too for mild cases of dog digestive upset that pop up once in a while with my dogs.
Update--we are making good progress its been 1 month, and my dog has not missed a meal. Keanu had some stomach noise 2 times , but ate breakfeast--which he would not do before. Once he eats all is well
Although expensive Hills Prescription Diet R/ D( about $25/case of 12 cans) giving 1 can/day, plus the Probiable DC( 1 capula/day) has been working-keep my fingers crossed. I buy the Proviable DC from on line, Dr Foster and Smith 80 capsule for abot $30. The Hills Prescription Diet on line vs Vet is about the same. So the High fiber diet plus Probiable DC has helped his stomach, and he has lots of energy for a 9 yr old MUTT. For my benefit, any other high fiber wet food you would recommend as a offset to the Hills PrescriptionDiet R/D that I can buy from Pet stores, that are less expensive ( vs $25/case of 12 cans)???
I just love your hubs on animals. They are informative and useful and I rely on them to care for my pets. Voted this one up and across and will be sharing it too. Who doesn't have a dog with an upset tummy once in a while? Keep writing and I'll continue to be a better pet owner. :-)
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Vomiting and diarrhea on top of that can cause fast dehydration. I would see the vet at this point.
I woke up this morning to my maltipoo's diarrhea and vomiting. Magee sure she was cleaned up and have her the chicken rice mix and left for work. I left early to discover more diarrhea. Is there anything you recommend for her? She's acting normal just resting now.
My Shih-Tzu puppy recently became constipated, and it's so sad because he whines all night. I don't know what the cause of it might be, we keep a strict control over his diet, and it looks like were going to have to take him to the vet tomorrow :( You can see my pup in the hub "Dog Getting Pranked"
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Great to hear your dog ate, seems like he is doing better. I would follow your vet's advice but follow up with him if there are any worrisome symptoms. Keep an eye on his stools, black tarry stools should mean a vet trip, as it's often a sign of a bleeding ulcer.Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
My dog ate after taking a GasX, the next morning. Vet said lets give new diet + probiatics more time, if it does not work Vet will want to do a XRay, and more tests--Vet said could be a ulser? My dog has not lost any weight which is good.
Your thinking??
Disappointed today May 6 Keanu( my 9 yr+ old dog) woke up with stomach noises, and did not eat breakfeast or anything as of 1:20pm. I have a call into the Vet--The Hills and proviatic were no better than anything else so far. I feel real bad for both me and my dog. Hopefully your thinking of it may take a little more time( I have a months supply of both Hils Perescription rd, and Probiatics will improve his situation. Waiting for the Vet to call
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Great to here his check up went well! Your dog will be the best person to tell you how he is doing. Give the probiotics and diet change some time to take effect. Many vets recommend Gasx (simethicone) for dogs who get gassy, with stomach pains and prone to bloat. I hope he starts feeling better soon!
alexadry--My dog Keanu had bad stomach paun, and would not eat Monday all day. While not eating every 8-10 days is norm, the pain was new. I have contacted you before, and Vet had recommended options.
Took him to Vet Wed, changing his diet to a high fiber( 1/2 can Hills prescripion Diet-r/d/meal + 1 capsule of PROVIABLE( probiatic)/day + 1 tablet/meal famotidine. The check up went well, felt no tumors, and his weight has remained constant at 56 lbs. Hoping this high fiber diet will settle his stomach. I was also advised I could give him a gasX if I had to. Your thinking??
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