I guess I have a question... If the vets are thinking allergies, then why the h*ll haven't they tested him? It's not hard, and it's not expensive. You take some blood and send it in and get back scads of info with the actual levels of allergens that your pup has. I can send you the test we got back on our lab so you can see. And yes, he is allergic to poultry. Well, is duck poultry? Ironic, a bird dog that's allergic to birds....

Anyway, I was thinking the megaesophogus thing, my granny's pom was just diagnosed with that.

I am so sorry for all of your heartache! Stay positive!!!

Update Friday, March 7
 

Well, Bogart threw up again last night. He ate (still blenderized I/D) around 6:30 and then he threw up around 9:15. He was behind my husband when he did it so we aren't sure if he actually "threw up" or just "regurgitated" it. This time, unlike the other times, it was very watery, although you could still see his food in it. This is just so darn perplexing because he is now getting sick about every other day, once a day???? And we still can't find any pattern to this.

Amandawash - I do not think that he has been diagnosed with allergies. I will call my vet right now and ask about allergy testing - I don't know why it hasn't been done yet??? The change in food is largely my husband and I's idea ... we are just desperate. The internalist suggested that we just try something non-poultry related and then the other vets made suggestions about what we should try, although none of them seem to think it is food related. But - they can't tell us what it is either!!!! It is just getting so frustrating, not for us or our pocketbook, but I just want to do whatever it takes to help Bogart feel better - and I feel like such a bad mommy that I can't help him stop throwing up :(

Thank you all again for your help and suggestions. I am determined to figure this out and help Bogart - I will do anything!

They probably haven't suggested allergy testing for food because you will get a lot of false positives. While it works for some people, it can be a waste of money when what you really need to do is an elimination diet.

Aww, poor little guy. I'm so sorry he, and you, are going thru this. The only thought that came to my mind was the same as Wylie's Mom - contact a vet teaching school. There are some excellent one's all over the country. Here, it's Cornell and Univ. of Pa. These schools would be the most up-to-date on illnesses and diagnosis's. Prayers for an answer soon and hugs for now.

I would ask the vets to send all his records to MU vet School in Columbia, and have them get you in to them. Or you can call and get in! You have a lot of test results already, at least they can go from there- and probably will have lots of options for you! You gave them there chance!(your vets)
It can't hurt!!!

Best wishes- Prayers for your family!!!

I have a Biewer Yorkie female. We went through all of this with her. She arrived from Germany a mess and spent 53 days on medication to rid her of parasites. Her breeder and broker lied and said their vets had not hear any heart murmurs, she has a heart murmur. What I wish on them can't be posted here. We went through the eating disaster. She was naturally underweight, barfed constantly, had no hair, the meds gave her ulcers, etc. She existed, mean that exactly as stated, on only boiled rice which made her barf as well.We had her allergy tested. She's allergic to all duck and beef among other foods. We have her on a prescription diet:
Royal Canin Hypoallergenic HP19. It's soy protein. Fortunately she isn't allergic to soy. She has gained weight. I do hand feed her since she inhales her food. I hold the kibble piece by piece and this way she bites into it and CHEWS! She gets fed 4 small meals a day and nothing else. Her treats are a piece of kibble. I would also tend to avoid exploratory surgery. I read every post here, did searches and found this food used by many members here. I tried about every food suggested by others and we supplied the local shelters with rejects. Vets don't know it all with these tiny breeds unless you live near a Un. that specializes in them. My vet wouldn't even endoscope her, said she was too tiny.
It's frustrating and worrisome. I wish you luck but allergy test.
Jessica

Have you gotten away from meat entirely yet? I would recommend trying a very hypoallergenic whitefish based diet (Marcel's nutiritionist recommends this) - it can be a MIRACLE, especially for dogs who are in real trouble, and it sounds like yours is in that situation. :(

It is not a long term diet - but it is def. fine for 4-8 weeks (even longer w/ proper supplementing, if it's all he can eat). It's whitefish (pollock, tilapia, whiting, cod, sole, trout, etc), mashed potato, steamed/pureed green bean.

You'll need to portion it correctly and supplement w/ calcium - what is his weight? And, are you willing to cook this for him, then?

***And, I should add - I really think you should consult an actual nutritionist asap...the one I used was www.askariel.com, but there are others as well out there. :)

Update, Saturday March 8
 

Well, we made it through yesterday with no problems. It is almost as if he throws up/regurgitates every other day. We have a very detailed calendar with feed time, feed amounts, stooks, energy level, vomit/regurgitation, etc.

We started him last night on 1/4 California Natural Wet Lamb & Rice and 3/4 I/D - we would like to get him off I/D and onto anything else he can hold down. We are going to try and transition him back to kibble eventually and we were happy that California Natural had both wet and dry in Lamb & Rice. We considered salmon or herring, but they don't have both of those options in both wet and dry. If lamb doesn't work (and we have heard mixed reviews on how hypo-allergenic it is), we are going to try salmon or herring. Any thoughts on those two options?

Wylie's Mom - I like your suggestion about a nutritionist. I will look into the site you recommended. I am starting to think (hope!) that this really is food related. And, of course, I am willing to cook for him! I will do whatever it takes to get him better!

PrettyPuppyPink - Thank you for sharing your story. The thing about Bogart is that he is healthy in every other way. He has a beautiful, thick (thick!) brown coat, clear eyes, healthy skin and energy and he has never been underweight. He is a hearty 4.4 pounds - and that is on a very small frame. He has the shortest, cutest legs ever. I really should post a picture! But I never thought about soy! I will have to ask the holistic food store we shop in about that. They recommended California Natural because they said it was very easy to digest.

a2luckygirl - I didn't even realize that I had such a top-notch vet school just 90 minutes away! We will definitley give them a call. Like someone mentioned, we have run all the tests and maybe they will see something everyone else is missing.

Thank you again for all your concerns, thoughts and prayers. I promise to keep you updated and will definitley follow-up on all the suggestions everyone has provided.

I hope you'll continue to update as this will be excellent information for new owners.

Update, Sunday March 9th
 

Well, I wish that I had better news - but Bogart threw up about 7 times (about a TB each time) today over a 10 minute period. But instead of moping around after that - he was up and running around! I wasn't home when it happened, but according to my husband it was like he was choking on something and as he tried to cough a little bit came up each time. So maybe not a true 'vomit' episode???

I have seen Bogart do this before, it sounds like (to compare it to a human) his sinuses are draining and he is trying to clear his throat - but he doesn't have the same gag reflexes we do, so he is gagging with the cough a little and then he throws up a bit. The frustrating thing is that this is not what has happened every time he has been sick over the past 3 weeks - so was today caused by something else??? Most of his episodes (mind you, he has never even throw up 2x in the same hour long period) appear to just be regurgitation - he just stands up and out it comes. So this was definitely different.

Anything thinking about seasonal allergies???? Have a puppy that suffers from them? It is still super cold here in MO, but we have had a few warm days and I have noticed that his eyes have a few goobers in them every morning. But I assumed that was due to the I/D we are feeding him????

Well, I am not sure that anyone is still following this story - but I am going to keep posting what information we have in hopes that someone will come across this thread and recognize the symptoms. We are still working on the nutritionist and have made contact with the vet school in Columbia, MO.

I will keep you updated. But if you are reading this - please just pray that we find out what is happening so that we can help our little baby boy!

Best,
WORRIED FRUSTRATED mommy

Praying that you get some answers for your little boy !

I hope you find out whats going on ! Sounds like a nightmare for you and your baby.

Thanks for the update. I am still praying for little Bogart ... please let us know what you learn from the vet school in Columbia. I understand that they have an excellent school there. God bless you all.