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Originally Posted by Desiree1027  Man, I wish I lived in your area, my search for a new vet would have just ended!  It's so nice to hear things like that.
Thank you so much for all you are offering. My vet would tell me to come in if I called about any of this. Dezi did have an abdominal x-ray which confirmed there was no blockage. I assume there is a possibility of blockage not related to something she ingested because I know she doesn't put anything in her mouth that's not food.
She was prescribed phomotazine (sp?). I thought it was an active ingredient in Pepcid. It could have been what cleared her up. But at the same time she was on Amforol. It's a combo of antibiotic (Kanamycin), Bismuth (pepto-like chalky stuff), and aluminum magnesium silicate (both for diarrhea control). She stopped bleeding but was so constipated,  she couldn't poop for four days!! I've read on here that Pepto isn't good for them. I wonder why?
I still have some of both meds. If the pepcid is the same as what she had taken, it could have been what got her to this point.
What bothers me is that even though she is back to almost normal, a few times right after she eats she starts to shiver and is visibly uncomfortable. It doesn't last but it's obvious that whatever is causing it happens as soon as the food goes in. That seems like either stomach or esophagus.
I would love the opportunity to get advice that saves money, but more importantly, I don't want to expose her to any unneeded test and the stress they will cause. She is a stress dog and the stuff that she suffers with is aggravated by more stress. It's like what came first, the stress or the stress caused by the stress.  |
Yes, using Pepto is not good for small dogs....my vet made sure to say that to me when he was advising an acid reducer. He said it's ok for big dogs, but that it shouldn't be used for small ones....he said why too, but I can't remember! (I always have a list of questions when I go if it wasn't something I felt I should call about right away, so the reason for no Pepto got lost in all the other information I was getting...I wish I could remember now though.)
I just googled "active ingredients Pepcid Complete" and they are: Famotidine, Calcium Carbonate , and Magnesium Hydroxide--so it looks like the prescription he gave you probaby was very similar to Pepcid. The "Complete" part of the Pepcid Complete is that it is an acid reducer AND an antacid, meaning it helps prevent producing more stomach acid AND neutralizes acid already in the stomach. I bet that is why she got better!
I asked about barium studies this morning and was told that a lower GI barium study is good for finding tumors and diverticuli (both of which can cause bleeding) and an upper GI barium study is more for looking for things in the stomach and can also see the small intestines (if you wait longer)...apparently it's possible to see stomach ulcers on an upper GI, though it could be just gas they are seeing sometimes and think it's an ulcer. A scope would be able to see the ulcers a lot better......clear as mud right?!
I also asked about trying the Pepcid Complete first (if Dezi is still doing pretty well) and whether it would help ulcers heal. The physician I spoke with said trying those meds certainly wouldn't hurt her, and if she continues to take them over time, it will keep the acid reduced which will allow her body to heal itself if ulcers are what's causing the bleeding. If after several weeks she seems to get worse or not get any better, however, then ulcers may not be the problem after all, and you should do one of those tests (barium/scope).
Since you said that she tends to have more problems when under stress and that she seems to be a little better now, I would try staying on Pepcid (whether by prescription or over the counter, though over the counter may be cheaper??) and see what happens. I'm thinking the shaking/shivering after eating may indicate pain associated with a stomach ulcer. Since she eats and has bowel movements, a stomach ulcer is much more likely than a blockage. Diverticuli are also painful and bleed, but it would take a few minutest after eating for that kind of pain--eating causes the bowel to move (peristalsis) which causes pain in diverticuli. I would definitely moniter her stools and behavior, though, so that if you think the medicine just isn't working you can do the testing. Just remember that the acid will be reduced upon taking the meds, but it will take a little time to start the healing process.
I hope that helps....keep me updated, and if you have any more questions, I can always call my vet!!