For about three weeks, my 13 month old Lab has occasionally regurgitated his food, usually his breakfast, but one day it was breakfast and dinner. I have taken him to the vet and he has had antacids and antibiotics, but a week later, he regurgitated his breakfast again, usually within 1/2 to 3/4 hour later, though on Sunday it was three hours later. The one vet thought it could be a partial obstruction (poo OK!) or gastritis and the other vet thought it could be megaesophogus. Yesterday he had a barium x-ray for this but all was fine. He is now on antacids, Omeprazole and four small meals a day, chicken and rice, a commercial wet food diet. Do you think the dried food could be a problem? Should I think of putting him on Natures Menu which is a frozen block (defrosted to eat!) of raw trioe, chicken, lamb, maize, brand etc Anyone else experienced the same or ideas? Stacia
Re: Regurgitating his food Hi Stacia It's something all dogs do at one stage or another but maybe for not this long. Having ruled out the first major problems (obstructions) and that he's not stealing anything else to upset the gut I'm assuming that it's a simple reflux - ie food returns looking pretty much as it went in, usually within an hour which is maybe upsetting the stomach acids (and possibly vice versa). The best thing - and I know it's not easy with any lab never mind a 13 month puppa (older than puppy but not yet adult dog, at least in our house ) - is to try to keep him calm before, during and after. I know you're saying "Ha, fat chance!" but it's worth a shot. More often than not regurg is simply a dog saying I can't process this right now so I'll leave it here and come back later. During and after is more important than before and if necessary after a post-dinner puddle leave him somewhere calm, maybe even put him to bed ideally in a crate, to let the food settle. I would try to avoid any major food changes, other than perhaps going more bland. If you do decide to switch foods then any change will need to be managed even more carefully than for a dog with a normal tum, ie introduce slowly, a little at a time gradually increasing the new food and decreasing the old over perhaps two to three weeks, I'd usually say a week but with a dodgy tum go for the longer time span just to be on the safe side. If you're concerned about the dry food maybe partially soak it for a day or two and see if it makes a difference, he might not like it soggy, he might prefer it. Things to help him digest the food and smooth the passage are: slippery elm powder (from the health food shop, Holland and Barrett sell it in capsules but go for the loose if you can), one dessert spoonful in some honey twice a day; parsley and mint - again mixed in with some honey, about a teaspoon of each; pro-biotics often help, most vets have these in stock, if not just google them they're pretty readily available; and finally replace his plain water with a weak chamomile tea, one bag per pint of boiling water, left for approx 3-5 mins before removing the bag and allowing to cool - most dogs will take it happily but if (as one of mind did) he turns his nose up at it swap it back for plain water - don't let him go thirsty. Don't hurl all of these at him in one fell swoop, pick one or two, I'd go with the elm and either the pro-biotics &/or the tea for starters. You didn't specify which antacid but I'm assuming antepsin (doggy gaviscon, smells slightly minty, doesn't taste too bad either! - no don't ask ), do make sure he has it before his meal and separately from the omeprazole; if it's the liquid form this is even more important, I think it's about 30mins prior to food. The remedies suggested won't affect the meds. OK, I think that's enough to be going on with! Good luck, let us know how you get on. Kerryn
Re: Regurgitating his food Thank you Moorlands for such a comprehensive reply, I appreciate it. Yes, it is Antepsin he is on, it is a tablet and I have do dissolve it and syringe it into his mouth, he is a good boy and accepts it. I have tried to keep hm calm after meals but I have another Lab, he isn't so much a problem as the old GSP (nearly 13) who teases him with a toy. I do try to keep the three separated, will now pop him in his cage. I was soaking the dried food for half an hour, but it still came up! I give the Antepsin half an hour before breakfast and dinner but haven't as yet given him the Omeprazole which we only had yesterday, not sure when to give that, not up in time to give 2 hours before the Antepsin! I will certainly try the slippery elm, we don't have a Holland and Barrett but do have a shop who may well sell it. I hope this is not an ongoing thing! I wonder if he ate something (he isn't normally a scavenger) but one day after a walk and I was driving home, one of the dogs was sick in the back of the car and the next day was when the regurgitation started. I am really grateful for you reply, it has made me feel much better. Stacia
Re: Regurgitating his food That sure sounds like a trigger, especially he ate any of it. One of mine "helped" clear up after a Wolfie was sick, the hound (terrible thieves all of them) had stolen a rubber thimblette several days earlier which had soured her stomach. Lab wolfed down the sour regurge, but not the thimblette, and then was even more poorly than the hound. It took a while but her stomach settled and she was fine. Stick with the antepsin and if it's working don't worry too much about the omeprazole which is a much stronger longer lasting drug. If you're not sure, or not happy because it's not really possible, about the timings of dosages then ask your vet which he thinks is more important, it might be that it's better to mix the two and at least get some into him, but do let your vet advise before taking a unilateral decision. Keep us updated, and fingers crossed. Kerryn
Re: Regurgitating his food Poor Lab being so ill after helping to clear up after Wolfie, glad she/he is now better. It is encouraging to hear this, so hope for my Lab My vet wasn't really sure when to give Omeprazole, so we have decided on lunchtime. It is awkward having to give the Antepsin half an hour before meals, especially breakfast time as the other dogs are not happy having to wait! I would like to give it mid morning and mid evening! I am concerned about introducing him back to his dried food and wonder if it would be OK to introduce him to the raw block of mixed meats, vegetables, maize and bran? Thank you so much for your input. Stacia
Re: Regurgitating his food Hi Kerryn, Sorry have only just seen your post! Rourke is still on 4 smaller meals a day and still looking very skinny. Gundog trainer told me to feed my dog! I am gradually introducing more Arden Grange Chicken and Rice, but only a handful at a time, the rest is Natures Diet Chicken and Rice and Vegetables which is a cooked food. Can't keep him on that as it is too expensive as I have two other dogs to feed. He hasn't regurgitated for 8 days now, but sometimes gags a bit. So fingers crossed when the medication stops in a few days. Thank you for asking. Stacia
