Lab/Pit mix Stomach Issues

Discussion in 'Labrador Health' started by Doggymomma, Jun 15, 2015.

  1. Doggymomma

    Doggymomma Registered Users

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    I will try to keep this as short as possible but with as much information as I can initatlly think of. Lab mix, 2 1/2 years of age, 50 lbs, male. About 8 months ago he started throwing up around 4 to 5 AM every single night which also was during the daytime a few days later. I didn't feed him for 24 hours and then restarted with bland diet. He still threw up. No diarrhea at all. Changed food from Purina One to Blue Buffalo to Simply Nourish, still vomitting around 6 hours after eating. Took him to the vet and he put him on Prilosec and Sucrafulate for 30 days. No vomitting until I ran out of Sucrafulate,. Even the Prilosec didn't work. Vet had thought he may have acid reflux. Vet issued another prescription for Sucrafulate and wanted me to add Prevacid after a week and then take him off Sucrafulate. Well, the Prevacid added diarrhea to the issues. So he was throwing up along with diarrhea, which both smelled usually rotten and bad!!! So stopped Prevacid and restarted Sucrafulate. Back to normal as long as I'm feeding him 4 times a day and giving Sucrafulate. Vet added Prozac About a week ago thinking he's high anxiety was causing excess stomach acid. Well I have Prozac to him for a few days but he started acting weird by running straight to hide under my bed or a hidden corner right after he eats. I stopped Prozac and he's still doing it!! The Vet hasn't ran any tests because he thinks it May be a waste of money since he doesn't think theres a blockage of any kind since Onyx is having normal bowel movements and he's always only thrown up a small amount of mostly digested food. He's always had a strong appetite, maintinaing his weight, energetic and happy during all of this.
    ​
    ​I have thought back to what he May have gotten into before all this started and the only thing I can think of is he had consumed small amounts of ash in the fireplace on numerous occasions but threw it up shortly after (referring to right before all the real vomitting began 8 months ago).
     
  2. Oberon

    Oberon Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Welcome to the forum :) Sorry that Onyx has been having these ongoing problems, which must be a big worry for you.

    It's good that you have found a medication (the sucrafulate) that seems to help. I saw from a search on line that sucrafulate is prescribed for stomach ulcers in dogs. Has the vet talked about a stomach ulcer? Why does the vet think that anxiety is an issue - does Onyx seem unusually anxious? As I understand it stomach ulcers are mainly caused through the use of NSAIDs in dogs, but I don't know if anxiety causes ulcers or excess acid production in dogs....

    At this point I'd be seeking a referral to a specialist canine gastroenterologist.

    Where do you live, Doggymomma? I'm assuming you're in the US.
     
  3. Dexter

    Dexter Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Hi there ,welcome to the Forum.what a worry for you .iI can sympathies a little,my dog suffered from an extremely sensitive tummy when he was younger but it manifested in diarrhea and was solved by a diet change,I was worried enough by that.
    I agree with what Rachael has suggested,at the very least I would be seeking second opinion.This is a chronic condition now that it has been going on for such while.
    The reaction to the Prozac doesn't sound very nice,Were you told to expect side effects like that?
    My dog is 3 now ,he's our first dog so I haven't got a huge bank of experience to draw on
    Best wishes
    Angela x
     
  4. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    I think proazac, like lots of SSRIs can make you worse initially before the good effects kick in. That said....I would have stopped it to. Lots of drugs that stop reflux and reduce acid can cause diarrhoea. Pretty common. The Prozac can also increase acid and cause ulcers.
    It can be really complicated to get treatment right.
    We often advise on hear to have a couple of biscuits last thing at night to help reduce vomits overnight or first thing.
    Good luck.
     
  5. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    And welcome to the forum
     
  6. Jen

    Jen Registered Users

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    I'm sorry Onyx and you are having such a difficult time. If you can afford it I'd be insisting the vet does tests I'm afraid. It's not a waste of money because if nothing shows up you know it's due to his anxiety and could then perhaps consult a behaviourist. Something is going on though and I'd want to know one way or the other. A second opinion or like Rachael has suggested a canine gastroenterologist I think is a good idea.

    Good luck I hope he improves very soon.
     
  7. MaccieD

    MaccieD Guest

    Hi and welcome. Poor Onyx, he's having a tough time with the vomiting. As others have said I would be discussing a referral with my vet to try and find out the cause of the vomiting as it sounds as if something is causing a problem if he is better with when taking the Sucrafulate. Let us know how you get on.
     
  8. edzbird

    edzbird Registered Users

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    We went through a few weeks of Belle getting up in the night - around 2-4am - to be sick, just bile. Took her to the vet who suggested acid reflux. She said we could treat with drugs, but to try a small feed last thing a night first. Thankfully, that cured it - and she THINKS she has got one over on us and is getting extra dinner. Scooby could believe it when he arrived and found he got 3 dinners!
    I hope you can get to the bottom of Onyx's problem - it's really upsetting when you're not getting anywhere
     

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