searching for help with vomiting

[valerieam]

Originally Posted by ally173

i agree dont use any supplements at first; just the probiotics. later on when he's better you can think about it. at first i only used the probiotic (animal essential plant enzyme and probiotics have both digestive enzymes and probiotics); i also use ark natural gentle digest probiotic in the morning; then i added the seacure. this is just hydrolyzed fish protein that will help heal the GI (it contains omega 3 and glutamine).
the metocopramide will help only if u think an attack is coming; i know that if ava will stop eating or burping a lot. but hasn't happened since i put her on that diet. thank god.
you can ask you vet for a prescription for compazine suppositories; those work if your dog can't hold up any food or water.
for a correct diagnosis IBD can only be tested via an endoscopy and biopsy.

I hadn't noticed burping, but he's usually sleeping next to me and I can hear his stomach start to gurgle. Then shortly after the vomiting starts.

[ally173]

Originally Posted by valerieam

I hadn't noticed burping, but he's usually sleeping next to me and I can hear his stomach start to gurgle. Then shortly after the vomiting starts.

oh yes i forgot to mention the gurgling and bubbly noises.

[Ellie May]

It may be too late for a Spec cPL. A Vit B check can be done anytime. A bile acids test can be done anytime (to check liver function. Although in this case it would be more of a formality. Vomiting blood sounds very intestinal. Could do an xray, maybe even a barium swallow to see things better in there. An ileus can partially block them. I mean, it may be IBD, but IBD can be secondary to something else that needs to be treated. If your vet doesn't want to go further, an internist may be able to help.

[ally173]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

What blood tests have been done? It is not normal and IMO the vet needs to take it more seriously. Be careful with supplements. Some can make them even more nauseous.

A Spec cPL (while he is having an episode) needs to be done along with a vitamin B check (B12 and folate) to rule out small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. A bile acids test wouldn't hurt also. It should not be treated as idiopathic IBD until some other things are ruled out.

My girl has similar vomiting symptoms at times, but she gets pancreatitis, has SIBO, and a liver issue. Treatment is not the same as it would be for IBD.

BTW, not sure about the metocopramide thing. We have been told to use it on a schedule here (would start when Ellie gets sick), so that first vomit doesn't even happen (although it doesn't work well for her).

hi; did your dog also vomited blood? that's the worst; it was so hard watching mine vomit blood; i was about to faint.
when the vet did the endoscopy he said her stomach and intestine were filled with blood and they were so inflamed like fireworks. the severe and chronic inflammation cause the intestinal walls to bleed; thus the blood vomiting. i thought this only happened with IBD not pancreatitis.

[ally173]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

It may be too late for a Spec cPL. A Vit B check can be done anytime. A bile acids test can be done anytime (to check liver function. Although in this case it would be more of a formality. Vomiting blood sounds very intestinal. Could do an xray, maybe even a barium swallow to see things better in there. An ileus can partially block them. I mean, it may be IBD, but IBD can be secondary to something else that needs to be treated. If your vet doesn't want to go further, an internist may be able to help.

the xray will show fluids in the intestine; when this first happened; i took her to the ER and they did an xray; they said it's filled with fluids; they thought it might be blood; due to the blood vomiting; but they didn't know why. they also did an ultrasound and said there was no mass. looking back at this why didn't they even suspect IBD is beyond me. they were looking for a mass or an obstruction.

[Ellie May]

Nope, no blood.

Pancreatitis and IBD and even liver issues go together. So I'd hate to see a dog diagnosed with IBD without ruling out other causes. Of course IBD can only be diagnosed by biopsy (and lots of owners don't want to go that far), but I'd hate for them to miss something just because of lack of bloodwork. For instance, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth can make the IBD treatment ineffective. The SIBO has to be cleared with a separate protocol. And then there are so many other intestinal problems that are somewhat common in Yorkies. So if a food change solves the problem, great. If not, maybe the vet should try harder for a diagnosis.

[ally173]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Nope, no blood.

Pancreatitis and IBD and even liver issues go together. So I'd hate to see a dog diagnosed with IBD without ruling out other causes. Of course IBD can only be diagnosed by biopsy (and lots of owners don't want to go that far), but I'd hate for them to miss something just because of lack of bloodwork. For instance, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth can make the IBD treatment ineffective. The SIBO has to be cleared with a separate protocol. And then there are so many other intestinal problems that are somewhat common in Yorkies. So if a food change solves the problem, great. If not, maybe the vet should try harder for a diagnosis.

yes i agree; blood work is a must and usually first thing the vet will check.

[valerieam]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

It may be too late for a Spec cPL. A Vit B check can be done anytime. A bile acids test can be done anytime (to check liver function. Although in this case it would be more of a formality. Vomiting blood sounds very intestinal. Could do an xray, maybe even a barium swallow to see things better in there. An ileus can partially block them. I mean, it may be IBD, but IBD can be secondary to something else that needs to be treated. If your vet doesn't want to go further, an internist may be able to help.

When the blood panel was done 6 months ago, it showed everything in a normal range except for the lipase.

I may have to look for a vet who has more knowledge with stomach problems. I do love my vet. When he examines them you can tell he loves animals. He's even called me days later to check on how Pippin is doing. I've never had a vet do that before. I just don't think he is as familiar with these issues. I know he would run any test I ask him to, but I would feel better if he was the one making the suggestion of what we should do next. He told me yesterday that there are a lot of dogs that have sensitive stomachs, but I think vomiting blood is a little more than a sensitive stomach.

I know when I get home from work Pipin's going to be bouncing around and acting fine. It's late tonight that I dread.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by valerieam

When the blood panel was done 6 months ago, it showed everything in a normal range except for the lipase.

I may have to look for a vet who has more knowledge with stomach problems. I do love my vet. When he examines them you can tell he loves animals. He's even called me days later to check on how Pippin is doing. I've never had a vet do that before. I just don't think he is as familiar with these issues. I know he would run any test I ask him to, but I would feel better if he was the one making the suggestion of what we should do next. He told me yesterday that there are a lot of dogs that have sensitive stomachs, but I think vomiting blood is a little more than a sensitive stomach.

I know when I get home from work Pipin's going to be bouncing around and acting fine. It's late tonight that I dread.

Just a blood panel wouldn't be enough. And you don't have to leave your vet if you like him. After all, he could be absolutely right and maybe he did more bloodwork than just a blood panel. You can always ask for a copy and get a second opinion. Doesn't mean you can't go back to him...

[shodanusmc]

Have you considered taking her to see a specialist at a Emergency and Referal Animal Hospital? A Internal Medicine/Gastro vet? Cost more, but they are the best.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Have you considered taking her to see a specialist at a Emergency and Referal Animal Hospital? A Internal Medicine/Gastro vet? Cost more, but they are the best.

Totally agree! If he were my pup, I would go to a board certified internal medicine vet. If your vet does not know one (which I am sure he will) you can find one at www.acvs.org

Please also be careful about feeding lots of different diets to him. It is best to consult a board certified nutritionist after you have a definitive diagnosis.

[valerieam]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Totally agree! If he were my pup, I would go to a board certified internal medicine vet. If your vet does not know one (which I am sure he will) you can find one at www.acvs.org

Please also be careful about feeding lots of different diets to him. It is best to consult a board certified nutritionist after you have a definitive diagnosis.

Someone on another thread mentioned a nutritionist in California. Does anyone remember the name and location?

[ally173]

Originally Posted by valerieam

Someone on another thread mentioned a nutritionist in California. Does anyone remember the name and location?

i believe it's susan davis
Pet Nutritionist Holistic Pet Susan Davis

[PixieLaRue]

Our 2.5 year old female, Pixie, had similar issues last week. She vomited Sat, Sun and Monday. Monday I took her into the vet - they did an xray and stool test - turns out she was 100% constipated and had some bacteria in her stool thought not an alarming level. They gave her an enema and she cam home that night w/an antibiotic. She ate her food as normal. Tues she threw up again and Wed she threw up w/blood in her vomit and her stool was like tar b/c of blood in her stool. Dr. ran blood tests on Wed - they think she has/had HGE - an overabundance of red blood cells in system. The treatment - intensive IV Fluids for at least 2 days - no food or water. She came home on Sat morning on an all rice diet b/c she cannot have the ID food (she has stomach issue w/anything chicken). She has been doing well on the rice this week - we've been slowly mixing some of her dry food in (wetting that down though).

Has anyone had a similar diagnosis? The docs do not know what causes really and say it may come back but have not mentioned changing her food or anything long term.

Thanks,
Dominique (new member)

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by valerieam

Someone on another thread mentioned a nutritionist in California. Does anyone remember the name and location?

I don't believe that person is board certified. I could be wrong. I personally used a vet at Texas A&M who is in charge of nutrition there. There are others that YTers have used....vets who are board certified.
Usually they work with your vet and review all medical records for your pet before suggesting a diet. Sounds to me like your pup needs to have a diagnosis first.