Smelly burp

[Lolli_lah]

Hello all, nice to see you all again!

As some may know, Lolli has had some issues about a year ago with sensitive tummy issues. We have gotten her squared away and on a more better diet.

We did change her food about a month or 2 ago now, because the food she has been eating the past year has suddenly become unavailable anywhere. She has been doing just fine, the food she was switched to is Blue minimum ingredient diet.

Anyway, she was really fine and she did have softer stool for a short while (not near diarrhea though) and then it balanced back out. She seems perfectly fine and not lethargic or any difference of behavior.

But today after a walk I was watching a little TV and I just smelled something really bad. I thought perhaps she passed a little gas and it was bad. But then an hour or 2 later I was sitting on the steps opening mail and she was right next to my head and she burped, and it smelled the same. So it was not gas, it was a burp. It is not poop or any particular smell kind of smell, it's just bad.

I'm not sure if I need to be concerned. I mean, I always am concerned for her. But do you think I should call the vet right away or see how she fares the rest of the day and night? I don't want to jump the gun. She does burp when she eats or drinks, she has a gaseous tummy and our vet said this is just normal for her system. But never has it smelled. I just want to know what this could mean.

[kjc]

Thinking she could have an overgrowth of bacteria to produce the smell.... may want to have this checked before it can take over.... do you have her on any probiotics? If not... ask your vet about them... aids digestion and helps keep bad tummy bugs away....

[Lolli_lah]

Could you elaborate a bit on what that means? Overgrowth of bacteria? What are immediate concerns with that? Thanks so much for your reply!

[Ellie May]

Assuming that it is the same in dogs as in people, you can start by removing sulfur containing foods. The breakdown can cause the smell. But there is something underlying that you would want to know about... Was she ever actually diagnosed with SIBO or the like?

I'd personally give it a few days though if all else is perfectly fine and it's just happening a couople times a day.

[Lolli_lah]

Thanks EllieMay, I had to google what SIBO is. No she was not diagnosed. The vet said basically they did x-rays of her abdomen and some blood testing though not a full CBC. I don't remember anymore the levels of things, it's on a print out in her file in the other room right now.

The vet just said that she did have excess gas but there was nothing in x-rays for cause of concern/out of normalcy. They told us to try a sensitive diet from a pet store, non prescription and if it did not clear up we would go with prescription diet and perhaps other supplements for better digestion as well as more thorough blood tests. Since she cleared up almost immediately and has not had any issues since, this is where it is.

[boopster]

Did you rule out the obvious and check her breath when she is not burping? A decaying tooth or gum problem can cause a bad odor.

[Lolli_lah]

Yeah I did check her teeth, she just had a dental not long ago as well. She didn't seem to have anything wrong. Her breath isn't that great but it doesn't seem to be the same type of smell. Her breath is more just like a dog food smell. Would a decaying tooth cause a burp to stink, or did u just mean that she moreso just would have the stink come out with the breath of the burp?

I'm no expert of course, but I did think it was really coming from the burp itself and not breath. But I can't be 100% on that theory.

Would it be wise to perhaps put her on chicken and rice for a day or two to see if it clears up or should I keep her regular diet?

[boopster]

Before you change her food, why not call her vet? I call Tallulah's vet with all kinds of questions and (although sometimes I think he gets a good laugh), I think he appreciates that I put her health first in my priorities. I consider my vet a partner in keeping Tallulah healthy.

[Lolli_lah]

I could, but now it is 5 PM and they close at 5 PM. So it would have to wait until tomorrow. I didn't know if it was something that would be necessary to call for, but now it is too late for today. I think I should have called because now I am going to feel nervous and anxious all evening and night.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Lolli_lah

Could you elaborate a bit on what that means? Overgrowth of bacteria? What are immediate concerns with that? Thanks so much for your reply!

Anyone or thing (animal and human) that eats food has bacteria in their system, to help break down the food. There are good bacteria and bad bacteria (that can cause illness). Usually the good bacteria keeps the bad bacteria in check, but sometimes the bad bacteria can get out of control... this is when one might see unexplained vomiting or diarrhea for a day or two until the good bacteria corrects the situation. If it doesn't self-correct, then the vet may prescribe antibiotics, which kill all the bacteria in the gut, and it can take a week or two for the good bacteria to build up again.

I recommended you see your vet because of your dog's history with having a sensitive tummy. Probiotics are products that contain billions of good bacteria that can help digestion. They can also help prevent any bad bacteria from taking over by basically overloading the dog's system with the good bacteria, making it extremely hard for the bad bacteria to thrive.

Any smelly belching or passing gas is a sign that the digestive tract is not functioning at 100%. Good digestion isn't foul smelling, and food shouldn't be creating excess gas in their system. This can be a sign that good bacteria is lacking, food is not being digested completely and leaving the system as it should.

If her belching is smelling like poop (literally) it means food is not passing through her system, and she could have a blockage somewhere. Usually bloating and gasiness will occur at the same time. This could be an emergency situation and needs to be evaluated by a vet asap.

If it's a sour smelling burp, then her food is sitting in her tummy too long, and is turning sour and producing gases. Many dogs will vomit at this point, if alot of sour food is in their tummies. One may see some bloating here too.

If it's sour with no bloating, the food may have stayed in the tummy too long, but is now moving it's way through. One may notice alot of 'tummy noises' coming from the dog, and possible gasiness.

Some dogs are more prone to picking up things and being affected by bad bacteria that ends up in their system. Others aren't affected to much at all, and it just passes through.

Many times if a dog's system is overloaded with bad bacteria, it will show up in their poop. The vet will be able to see it in a sample under the microscope.

Hope this helps...

[Lolli_lah]

Thanks kjc that helps. So far there has not been diarrhea or vomitting. She's passing pee normally, I haven't seen a poop yet today but I think my mom has this morning as she took her out earlier this morning. I just asked her what it was like and she says it was normal.

I don't think her burp smells like poop literally. It is very strange. I know what her poo smells like and this doesn't seem to be the same. But I am no expert on poop or smells so I could be wrong. It could be considered more sulfuric I guess. But again I just don't know how to describe it.

Are probiotics something you could just introduce to a dog, or should you always consult a vet? I ask because I could grab some of those tonight while I cannot call my vet until tomorrow. Not sure if I should or not, would love feedback on that.

As far as food, should I fast her until the morning, or rice+boiled chicken or just keep her normal food (she is fed once a day in the morning an hour after her walk, vet suggested this).

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Lolli_lah

Thanks kjc that helps. So far there has not been diarrhea or vomitting. She's passing pee normally, I haven't seen a poop yet today but I think my mom has this morning as she took her out earlier this morning. I just asked her what it was like and she says it was normal.

I don't think her burp smells like poop literally. It is very strange. I know what her poo smells like and this doesn't seem to be the same. But I am no expert on poop or smells so I could be wrong. It could be considered more sulfuric I guess. But again I just don't know how to describe it.

Are probiotics something you could just introduce to a dog, or should you always consult a vet? I ask because I could grab some of those tonight while I cannot call my vet until tomorrow. Not sure if I should or not, would love feedback on that.

As far as food, should I fast her until the morning, or rice+boiled chicken or just keep her normal food (she is fed once a day in the morning an hour after her walk, vet suggested this).

How much does she weigh? Most small dogs do best eating 2-3 times a day, as their tummies are so small it's difficult to eat a whole day's worth of nutrition in one sitting.

I wouldn't change or start anything tonight... wait and see what your vet tells you in the morning. I would hold off on the probiotics... there are certain conditions that I've heard of where they can cause more problems, so let your vet make the final decision on that as he knows your dog.

[Lolli_lah]

She's about 7-8 lbs. She is a full size yorkie, not mini or anything like that. She is not over weight, at least not by much. Maybe 1 lb or less.

[Lolli_lah]

So sorry for double post, just wanted to make a note that she just had a bowel movement so I don't think there is any blockage at least.