Showing posts with label Problems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Problems. Show all posts

Monday, January 16, 2012

Low Protein Dog Treats For Your Dog With Kidney Problems

There's a rash of dogs with kidney problems these days. If you're dealing with this, your vet may have recommended low protein dog treats and food to reduce the amount of work your dog's kidneys have to do to process the food.

Here's what to look for in a low protein dog treats and food:

Dog Food

1. Uremic Toxins

Uremic toxins are by products made as the kidneys function normally. These toxic materials are usually released through urination, but, if your dog has kidney problems, this may be more difficult. A low protein dog diet will limit the production of uremic toxins, making your dog's kidney's have to work a little less.

2. Nausea

If these uremic toxins build up in your pet, your dog will begin to feel fatigued or nauseated. She might vomit. Giving your dog low protein foods will help limit nausea.

3. Low Phosphorus Content

If your dog is suffering from any kidney problem, they can't consume a lot of phosphorus (found in protein-hence the low protein diet restriction).

If your pet does continue with her typical diet, she could develop hyperphosphatemia. This condition ends in electrolyte imbalances with the dog and if left untreated it can cause renal failure as well. Coupled with the kidney problems, this can lead to dialysis.

The kidneys do a lot of the heavy lifting of ridding your pet's body of toxins. Any chemicals in the food, pollutants, insecticides, food coloring agents, anything not needed for health gets eliminated by the kidneys.

Once your dog is diagnosed with kidney problems, you have to figure out a way to handle it. Vets will usually recommend limiting protein and place the dogs on low protein diets.

Yet it's a fine balance. According to veterinarian Dr. Pitcairn, you don't want to reduce protein altogether as that can be harmful. But do you want to feed enough good quality protein (like real meat) so your pet gets the nutrients he needs.

He also says your dog will need more vitamins A, B & C. These will nourish your pets immune system and help the kidneys.

Many pet owners have opted out of the prescription foods and started cooking for their pets.
You can even make homemade low protein dog treats. They're fun and easy.

If you're interested in learning more about low protein dog treats recipes, please visit my website where I share homemade dog treat recipes for your dog.

Low Protein Dog Treats For Your Dog With Kidney Problems

Dog Food

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

My Old Dog - How To Cope With Problems That May Occur In An Ageing Dog

I never thought for one minute when I bought my Labrador cross German Shepherd dog back in 1994 as a puppy, that I would still have him now at the age of 17. I also never realised that with that great age might come a variety of tedious problems, none of which he could help. He is now rather like a very old person that loses control of parts of their body and needs lots of understanding, patience and tender care because they find managing themselves difficult. They say dogs don't know when things aren't as they should be, but my dog certainly seems to know when he has let himself down. I am by no means an expert but am happy to share my experiences with you.

Going for Walks. Up to the age of 14 exercise was fine for my dog Duke, but then he developed arthritis in his shoulders and didn't want to go for walks. I guess it was his build being a heavy weight Labrador cross Shepherd weighing in as an adult at 32.5kg (71.5lbs). I had struggled since he was a pup with keeping the weight off although I never gave him things to eat that were not good for him. In fact he did not have an enormous appetite like most Labradors. The vet recommended I put him on Metacam, a medication designed to ease the pain and help protect the cartilage in the joints. This was fine and gave Duke a new lease of life for a couple of years, but the medication had nasty side effects after a while giving our dog an upset tummy and putting him off his food. I had no alternative but to stop the medication. I then discovered high strength glucosamine which Duke has been on ever since, but I have to be careful not to give too much as this also can cause stomach upsets. It is also best to administer in 2 half doses with a meal or snack so that the medication is absorbed with the food. Some dogs are able to have the glucosamine mixed in with their food, but because Duke was not a great eater I could not be sure he would get all the medication if he left part of his meal. I found he was quite happy to lick it off a spoon as it was sweet to the taste.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Now at 17 Duke's arthritis gives him some difficulty when walking. He needs time because he is very slow and likes to stop every few paces so he can spread his weight evenly over his 4 legs. This could be rather trying especially if I was in a hurry, but I have learned to plan carefully allowing time for him so that he enjoys his walk. Most days he is reluctant to get up in the mornings and would quite happily stay in his bed, but for his own good I make him rise as it is important that he can still go out for walks both to give him pleasure taking in all the new smells, and also to prevent him getting stiff or constipated. A walk of a few miles which used to take an hour now just covers a few hundred yards. In hindsight I wish we had trained him to wear dog shoes as his feet are now a little sensitive and he finds walking on tarmac surfaces difficult. Shoes would undoubtedly have saved him the discomfort he sometimes now experiences.

Training. I have trained my dog, from his puppy years, to be obedient to my every command. He was always reliable whoever was with him and thoroughly enjoyable to be with. However, things have changed a little in these last 2 years. Fortunately Duke has not lost his sight as many old dogs do, but his hearing has deteriorated and he doesn't always respond to commands. I can no longer expect him to 'sit' when told, as he finds this difficult with the muscle wastage that is taking place in his back end. To command him to 'come' when we are out of doors, just doesn't happen as he does not always hear. He often does not register mentally either to what is happening around him and is not sure what he has to do or where to go. Now Duke needs to be given patience, time and careful handling to direct him. In people we would say ' he is a bit gaga'

At Meal Times. All through his life Duke has eaten mainly dry-mix food with a little meat added to stimulate his appetite. He has never eaten like most Labradors as if there were no tomorrow, so I have always had to encourage him to eat at meal times. As he has got older his appetite has slowly diminished and meal times have got more and more difficult. Duke only had 1 meal a day in the evening perhaps with a treat or 2 in the morning. In his latter years I have had to change his food more and more away from dry-mix, as he began to lose weight through not eating sufficiently, and on to tinned dog meat with vegetables and mixer with pasta. However now as he is nearing the end of his life, the natural bacteria which are present in all animals stomachs, are beginning to break down giving Duke a high susceptibility to an upset tummy or diarrhoea. He is not in any pain but meals have to be drier, without much gravy, and small as he cannot cope with a full meal all in one go. Now, instead of feeding him in the evenings, I give him a small meal at about 11.30 am and a second meal at 4.30pm or thereabouts, giving the food plenty of time to work through his system. Everyday just prior to his first meal the vet recommended I give Duke a desert spoon of pro-biotic yogurt, which he has with the glucosamine, to replace the natural bacteria his body is no longer making. This has worked to a point but I still have to be very careful not to give him the wrong type of food mix. Lamb for example is a 'no-go' area. This means that I am not able to leave our dog on his own for long periods of time as he may need to empty his bowels, but the sacrifice is worth it.

Night Time Problems.

Just like very old people, our beloved pet no longer has much voice as he cannot produce the amount of puff required to make a bark. When he was younger and needed to go to the toilet in the night, he used to come upstairs and nudge me to wake me up. Now he is not able to get up the stairs anymore and neither can he bark to tell me something is not right. Night time was never a problem but with age and muscle deterioration Duke now goes to the toilet more frequently. All of this with the added problems of a possible upset stomach means I have to take precautions against night time accidents. If our dog could be left safely in the kitchen accidents would be easy to clear up but our kitchen floor is tiled and gives Duke some difficulty in staying upright without help. Once down he needs help getting up on slippery floors, so I have to leave him shut in our carpeted hallway with towels laid all over the floor. This way if he has an accident I can simply lift the towels, dispose of the offensive material and wash the towels ready for the next night. Thank goodness for washing machines and baby wipes! Animals do not like to dirty their bed, which has been proved as I have found he always goes on the towels.

Age problems demand extra time, careful planning and patience. The tender loving care given to a dog in their latter years makes them feel safe, secure and well loved, and who wouldn't do this for a treasured pet who after all is one of the family? When life becomes too much for Duke or he is in pain then my husband and I will have to say goodbye, but until that time he is worth the extra work. I hope these few tips will help anyone with a very aged dog to get through the last few years without the stress and frustration which might otherwise be the case, and to enjoy their pet to the end.

My Old Dog - How To Cope With Problems That May Occur In An Ageing Dog

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Dog Intestinal Problems

Upset tummies are common problem in dogs.

The effects of over-processed foods, stress and environmental conditions can affect dogs just like it will humans.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Vomiting, diarrhea, grumbling stomach and bloat though common, can have a variety of causes, some of which are easy to solve with a change in diet, others with some serious medical treatment.

What I will try to do is cover some of the more common causes and what can be done to avoid or treat the cause.

Intestinal upsets and diarrhea can be caused by numerous things such as stress, allergy to a new food, viruses, bacteria, parasites, and change in diet or by your pet eating something that was not meant to be digested.

Bacteria caused diarrhea includes the Salmonella varieties, e-coli, and food poisoning, most of which last a short time and can be treated by over-the-counter medication recommended by your veterinarian.

Viral causes of diarrhea include distemper and parvovirus. These two usually attack puppies and young dogs and can be prevented by having your pet vaccinated.

Parasitic causes of diarrhea include worms (hookworm and whipworms) and Giardia (a form of protozoa) all can be treated with medication from your vet.

Food-related causes of diarrhea can be caused by a change in diet, an enzyme deficiency, allergy to a certain food ingredient or by eating something that is foreign to the body. Food related causes may take some searching, but usually can be isolated within a short period of time.

While diarrhea is caused by the irritation of the small or large intestine, vomiting is caused by an irritation of the stomach.

If a dog throws up after a meal or after eating something distasteful that is commonly known as regurgitation and is not considered serious.

Vomiting on the other hand is retching, a forceful stomach contraction that forces the food out of the stomach. Vomiting can be retching without food being forced out and you will see bile or saliva instead.

After vomiting a dog will appear restless and may even drool (salivate.) Any sign of vomiting with out producing a sign of food or other substance is serious. As it could mean the stomach has flipped (a sign of bloating) and demands immediate attention of your vet.

Vomiting as a general rule is not a sign of a serious illness. Some dogs eat too fast, some dog's vomit after eating grass and some dogs vomit a fluffy yellow mixture shortly after waking up in the morning, neither of which is a sign of concern.

This is known as "reflux gastritis" and can be corrected by feeding your dog small meals throughout the day or by feeding a meal shortly before going to bed for the night. There are also some drugs that are available to help this problem (see your Vet.)

However, chronic retching, blood in the vomit, and projectile vomiting are signs that a visit to the vet should be taken at once. These are signs that something maybe awry in the area of the kidneys, liver, or pancreas.

Intermittent vomiting and diarrhea can be an expected part of living with a pet, just as it is in our own lives, we all experience those problems a time or two ourselves. Granted cleaning up their accident leaves much to be desired, but vomiting is not life threatening unless it persists.

What are some of the things you can do to help your dog?

Your vet may suggest some Pepto Bismal or other over-the-counter treatment. It is best to withhold food for a while, but not water, however do not let your dog gulp down a large quantity of water at one time. A bland diet of chicken and rice will help soothe the stomach and can be fed once the stomach has settled down.

Make certain you pet does not exercise an hour before he/she eats and waits at least another hour or two afterward before heavy exercising.

Control water consumption before eating. Too much water can upset the stomach.

Feed high quality food and do not overfeed. Avoid rich people food.

When in doubt about any unusual pet behavior, please do not hesitate to call your vet or other pet health care provider.

Dog Intestinal Problems

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Digestive And Gas Problems In Boxer Dogs

As a deep chested breed the Boxer is prone to a serious digestive problem known as bloat. Bloat can be mild to life threatening and occurs usually when the Boxer gulps their food, bringing large amounts of air into the stomach. This then causes the stomach to swell and then twist, resulting in a torsion that can cut off the blood supply to the stomach. The contents of the stomach will continue to expand, as will the air content, pushing the stomach against the lungs and heart. In severe conditions this will cause death and immediate surgical treatment is needed to reverse the torsion and return the blood circulation to normal.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Bloat is more common in some lines that others and responsible breeders no longer breed dogs that have had a serious case of bloat as there is a hereditary component. All Boxer owners need to be aware of the problem and can take the following steps to minimize the dog's risk:

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

o Feed several small meals rather than one or two large meals per day.

o Ensure that the Boxer has access to fresh clean water all day and encourage them to drink prior to the meal, not immediately after a dry kibble meal.

o Pre-moisten dry food with water only; never use moistening products that contain fat as this can contribute to the problem. Do not pre-moisten food that is preserved with citric acid; find a food with another preservative.

o Do not raise the feeding dish, have the dog eating with his or her head down and fully extended.

o Slow down eating; never rush the dog through the meal.

o Avoid exercise immediately after eating for at least one hour.

o Monitor the dog if they seem anxious, vomiting or drooling immediately after eating.

The condition known as "Boxer Tummy" is often a milder form of bloat, but it can also result in the production of gas, another trait the Boxer is known for. Thankfully this annoying trait is usually controlled through changing the dog's diet to avoid any grains including corn or wheat. Talk to your vet or breeder, as you may have to try several different foods to discover which type of food has the least problems in creating gas for your dog.

Even though gas is a smelly problem and embarrassing problem, it is also a good sign for your dog. The release of the gas means that the dog is digesting food normally and there is no torsion or obstruction of the intestines. It is important to realize that your dog is completely unaware that this natural body function may be embarrassing or awful for you, so never punish your dog if he or she does have a bit of a problem.

Digestive And Gas Problems In Boxer Dogs

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

All Natural Dog Food to Help Prevent Reflux Gastritis Problems

Believe it or not, dogs can have this nasty problem, too. When a dog gets stomach reflux, vomiting is the most common symptom. You will want to take your dog to the vet, if he keeps vomiting. Vomiting is not only a sign of stomach reflux, but it can be a sign to many other stomach issues, as well. Dogs that suffer from stomach reflux are usually healthy otherwise.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

It is very important to determine the source of vomiting if it continues. It could be associated with other disorders that need different treatments. For stomach reflux problems, chronic vomiting happens when the stomach is constantly inflamed and irritated.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Generally a dog will vomit yellowish, bile-stained fluid or foam early in the morning. The stomach is usually empty. This stomach disorder happens when the stomach lining is injured because of chronic reflux or back flush of things, such as bile and pancreatic enzymes.

Other symptoms include:
Appetite loss
Weight loss
Abdominal pain

A veterinarian will have to run tests to be sure your dog has reflux gastritis. A biopsy of the lining of the stomach will need to be performed. Sometimes a veterinarian will try symptomatic treatment first to see if the problem can be fixed without having to do surgical or endoscopic techniques.

Treating reflux gastritis is not difficult. Simply changing your dog's food to an all natural dog food that contains vitamins and minerals needed for health is a great first step. Flint River Ranch or Life's Abundance are good healthy dog foods to consider. They are packed full of all natural ingredients and vitamins and minerals.

If you are not already feeding your dog a healthy dog food, you will need to slowly introduce it to your dog. If you do not introduce it slowly, you take the chance of making your dog's stomach feel sicker. The next very important thing you can do is to feed your dog smaller meals throughout the day.

If you are a human that suffers from acid reflux, you have probably been told that you should not eat late at night. This is true for humans, but for a dog, it is actually helpful to your dog to feed him a small amount of food right before bed. This is because the food acts as a buffer and neutralizes the duodenal contents, such as bile and pancreatic enzymes.

All Natural Dog Food to Help Prevent Reflux Gastritis Problems

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Monday, August 29, 2011

Herbal Remedies for Dogs Health Problems

When it is Good to Use Herbal Remedies for Dogs

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Your dog is your best friend, and you do all that you can to take care of him and keep him in top shape. If your dog has issues and you want to avoid frequent trips to the veterinarian or animal hospital, it would be good for you to know when it is good to use herbal remedies for dogs. Whether you want to treat something specific or you want to help your dog stay healthy, there are herbs that can be very beneficial. You may want to use herbs to help reduce fleas and ticks, promote better digestive health, and improve overall health and vitality.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Fleas and ticks are things that have always plagued dogs. Many people prefer to use herbal remedies so that they don't have to be near pesticides that can be harmful or toxic to both dogs and humans. Getting rid of the pests should not have to happen at the cost of poisoning the dog. Adding garlic on a daily basis or sulfur on a weekly basis can be very helpful in treating this problem.

Dogs are often prone to digestive problems of one kind or another, particularly with diarrhea and constipation. Using herbal remedies for dogs is a good way to improve their digestive health. Probiotics are often helpful to dogs who have sensitive stomachs. For increased liver function, Milk Thistle with its flavenoids is often recommended.

For overall health and an improved immune system, such herbs as Cat's Claw, Indian Ginseng, and Echinacea are all very popular. You may want to try these herbal remedies if your dog seems to have low energy, especially as he gets older. Many herbal supplements can actually improve his vigor and vitality. You may find that there are many supplements available in the pet section of your favorite store, so it may be hard to choose. Domesticated animals do not generally eat herbs to cleanse their systems like wild animals so, so it is up to you to provide them.

It is actually a good idea to speak with your veterinarian about herbal remedies for dogs before simply beginning to use them. If you can find a practitioner who specializes in alternative medicines or remedies for pets, you can be assured that you will be on the right track. Using herbal remedies will also often reduce side effects that can occur with prescription medicines. By providing your dog with a healthy diet, plenty of physical exercise, and appropriate herbal remedies for dogs, you will be able to help him maintain his good health for many years to come.

Herbal Remedies for Dogs Health Problems

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Saturday, August 13, 2011

How to Treat Indigestion and Bad Stomach Problems

If you are suffering from sensitive stomach and have cramps when you eat food, then it is an alarming sign that you are not eating the right thing. Switch over to the fruit diet for some time till things get better. Eating fibre rich food will help you ease your stomach problems. Be it flatulence, constipation, vomiting or other bowel problems.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Oranges, bananas, starch filled vegetables such as potatoes, melons, mash melon etc can be consumed to add more fibre to your diet. This will added facilitate your digestive ideas and help promote good gut health. But do not mix up melon with cantaloupe for the same time. You can eat melon separately which boosts digestion but not with cantaloupe.

Sensitive Stomachs

Cooked vegetables are also good for stomach problems. Potatoes are good as they have starch in them and they add bulk to your stomach. Do not chew gum or eat any thing that has synthetic sweetners in them, these are not good for your stomach. Avoid it when you have stomach problems and do not aggravate its symptoms.

Do not incorporate protein and sugar together. These may reduce your metabolism rate. You can add yoghurt to your diet and ease the symptoms of digestion problems. If you like to convert the flavour, you can add some yoghurt to the fruits you eat. This will appease your taste buds as well as ease your digestive problems.

Avoid spicy food and fried chips as they aggravate the symptoms of stomach problems. Flatulence, heart burning sensation and diarrhea may get severe with this. Do not forget to consume those fruits which have digestive enzymes in them such as papain and bromelain. Papaya contains papain and pine apple contains bromelain which are good for bringing about bowel movement.

Do not have both vegetables and fruits in the same meal. You can have them separately in dissimilar meals but not at the same time.

How to Treat Indigestion and Bad Stomach Problems

Sensitive Stomachs

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

5 Easy Tips For Identifying Dog Skin Problems

Although there are many canine skin disorders, the 5 following tips will help to identify some of the more common dog skin problems:

dog food for sensitive stomachs

1. Fleas: The best way to identify a flea problem is to check your pets belly area and along the inside of the back legs. The hair is thinner in this area and easier to spot both fleas and flea dirt. The flea itself is brown or copper colored and roughly the size of a pin-head. Flea dirt looks like sprinkled pepper. Ruffling the fur on your dog's back and along the base of the tail is also an easy way to find fleas and flea droppings. Often times dogs that develop Flea Allergy Dermatitis will show hair loss around the base (top) of the tail. There are many options available for flea and tick control.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

2. Food Allergy Dermatitis: Although food allergies can appear in pups as early on as 5 or 6 months, they can also develop in adult dogs as late as 11 or 12 years old. Common symptoms of food allergy dermatitis are itching of the skin, excessive scratching, hot spots and even skin infections. Dog owners should realize that there is a distinct difference between Food Allergies and Food Intolerance. Like people, classic symptoms of a food intolerance would be an upset stomach and diarrhea. All foods do not agree with all dogs. Pink Bismuth is a safe remedy for stomach upset and diarrhea in dogs. Food allergies require slowly eliminating foods and changing the diet.

3. Atopic Dermatitis: A condition caused by environmental allergens. Dogs that suffer with airborne allergies will often rub their face along the side of a sofa or along the carpet. As with food allergies, dogs will also chew their feet. With Atopic Dermatitis, it's common for dogs to develop ear infections due to a yeast overgrowth. Pollen, trees, grass, dust and wool fabric are just a few common airborne allergens that some dogs are sensitive to. Antihistimines are often prescribed.

4. Acral Lick Dermatitis (Lick Granuloma): This raised lesion will be red, hairless and is usually found on the leg of the dog. This neurological condition is self-induced due to continuous licking. Possible causes include anxiety, boredom and stress. Treatment will include identifying the source of the problem (anxiety, etc.), restricting licking of the area and often times medication for behavioral modification.

5. Hot Spots: Medically referred to as Acute Moist Dermatitis, these round lesions generally appear in warmer weather. Along the hip, the sides of the chest and around the head area are the most common locations for hot spots. These moist and hairless inflammations are painful causing the dog to fixate on the particular spot by licking, chewing and scratching at it. Continuous licking in one area is a large factor in the development of hot spots. These lesions can quickly become very large in size. The location of the hot spot will help determine what the underlying problem could be an; anal gland problem, ear problem or a flea problem. A Veterinarian will clip the hair around the spot, clean it with a medicated solution, prescribe antibiotics and pain medicine.

Determining the source of dog skin problems can often be difficult. Yet, skin conditions can be uncomfortable and painful, so dog owners should not give up until they know where the problem stems from.

5 Easy Tips For Identifying Dog Skin Problems

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Friday, July 22, 2011

Stomach Problems Which Cause Dog Vomiting

Serious stomach problems invariably cause dog vomiting. These problems can be best diagnosed by a gastroscopy (a thin fibre-optic instrument which is passed in through the mouth and into the stomach), X-rays and ultrasound. When a gastroscope is not available, exploratory surgery can be done but is a lot more intrusive for the dog.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Dogs are relentlessly inquisitive about there surroundings and are prone to rummaging around in trash and trashcans. This has been known to cause many stomach problems in canines from this 'scavenging' of scrap foods. Because many of these food substances have gone bad by the time they are eaten, in many cases this leads to the following stomach conditions.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Acute Gastritis

Gastritis is generally caused when dogs scavenge but it can also be brought on by infections, parasites and poisons. This causes the dogs to vomit and go off their food. Treatment will involve removing any known or obvious cause of the gastritis and also correcting any complications such as electrolyte imbalances. Feeding the affected dog is restricted.

Chronic Gastritis

A dog with chronic gastritis will regularly vomit over a period of time. The problem may be caused by persistently eating grass or by foreign objects. It can also be caused by chemical irritations or food allergies.

Diagnosis of chronic gastritis: Blood samples may reveal an increase level of eosinophils, which is a type of white blood cell that is involved in the immune response to parasites and allergies. If a biopsy shows the presence of eosinophils in the wall of the stomach, a diagnoses of eosinophilic gastritis is made.

Treatment includes metoclopramide which is an anti-emetics. This will hinder continued vomiting. Fluid therapy and corticosteroids are used in cases of eosinophilic gastritis. Anti-ulcer drugs such as cimetidine and ranitidine, and protectors of the mucous linking of the stomach such as sucralfate and misoprostol are also used to cure the problem.

Ulcers

Drugs are the most common cause of stomach ulcers in dogs. These are corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs). Stress and severe sickness can also cause ulcers. Dogs who suffer from ulcers will vomit intermittently, they will lose weight and will appear unhappy (as the dogs owner, you will easily notice this). The vomit could show fresh or old blood and the dogs stools may be black (melaenic) from blood originating in the stomach or duodenum.

Another albeit unusual cause of stomach ulcers comes in the form of the presence of mast cell tumors on the skin. These tumors release large quantities of histamine, which in turn triggers hydrochloric acid release in the stomach. Any dog with several mast cell tumors should be assumed to be at risk from stomach and duodenal ulcers.

The most accurate way to diagnose the presence of ulcers in the stomach is through the use of a gastroscopy. Contrast X-rays and ultrasound can also be used but are not as accurate.

The cause of the ulcer meeds to be eradicated. Severe anaemia may occur due to blood loss and can be treated with a blood replacement and a combination of drugs to protect the mucous lining of the stomach and to enhance tissue repair. Medication will continue until further gastroscopy's show that all ulcers have healed.

Dogs are more sensitive to the ulcer inducing capacity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), than humans are. Therefore it is important to only give NSAIDs to dogs which are meant for canines. Do not give dogs people NSAIDs.

Obstructions

Dogs sometimes eat things which are not edible. These can cause obstructions in the dogs digestive system. Tumors and scarring can also cause obstructions around the pyloric canal (where food moves from the stomach into the duodenum). The affected dogs will vomit, lose weight and often appear uncomfortable.

Contrast X-rays will probably show little sign or even no emptying of stomach contents into the duodenum. Ultrasound tests may show an enlarged, fluid filled stomach and a gastroscopy will reveal the exact cause of any obstruction. Surgery will usually be required to remove an obstruction like this.

Motility Disorders

The contents of the stomach may enter the intestines too quickly or too slowly. Delayed emptying is a common cause of vomiting and loss of appetite.

When the exact cause of delayed emptying is unknown, dogs are treated according to the sign which they show of this problem. Metroclopramide will help stop the vomiting, while cisapride will stimulate the emptying of the stomach.

Stomach Problems Which Cause Dog Vomiting

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs