Pepto Bismol for gas???

[Sharlee]

My two year old female Yorkie has had gas ever since we got her as a puppy. At first we thought she just gobbled her food too fast, as she would let out a loud belch at the end of every meal. However, the gas appears to make her very uncomfortable lately, and she has the runs occassionally. Her tummy is making so many noises I thought we had accidently locked our cat in the closet and he was mewing to get out! She isn't interested in her food or treats and will go a long time w/o eating, but she does drink her water. Is there any otc remedy, such as Pepto or baking soda that I can give her to alleviate the discomfort? Could this be a serious conditon? Thank you so much for any information you can give me!

[Nancy1999]

I don't think Peto Bismol helps with gas, it can help with other digestive upsets, but not gas.

Taken from this site: Controlling Intestinal Gas in Dogs




Although gas production is a natural part of the digestive process, some pets produce more than others and are not always fun to be around. Here are a few ways to reduce flatulence in dogs:


1. Slow down dinners. Flatulence is often caused by air that is gulped down when pets eat too quickly. Putting a large object in his food dish will force your pet to slow down when eating. The object should be something that is too large for the pet to pick up in his mouth. Try something like a ping-pong ball for cats, a baseball for toy dogs, a softball for medium breeds, and an even larger ball for large and giant breeds. If you have more than one dog, feed them separately to reduce competition for food. You may also try scattering dry food around the house and/or yard so the dog will need to 'forage' for it.

2. Buy an elevated feeder. Dogs that do not have to bend over so far to eat swallow less air.

3. Take walks after dinner. Light exercise aids digestion and works out the gas while you are outside. If your dog eliminates during the walk, even better.

4. Switch food. Your brand of dog food may be the culprit, particularly if it is high in soy. Switch over gradually so your dog's digestive system can adapt to the new food. Substitute about 25% new food for the old food each week so that by the fourth week your pet is on 100% new food.

5. Add Acidophilus or Prozyme to food. These products help in the digestive process and may help eliminate gas completely.

6. Watch what they eat. Too much food at one time can cause gas, as can eating out of the garbage, or too many table scraps.

[Ladymom]

What do you feed her? Since she isn't interested in eating and has diarrhea periodically, it sounds like something more than just a little gas. Have you spoken to your vet?

[Sharlee]

I have gone through a long list of foods with her...everything from raw to home cooked. She is sooo fussy! She will eat one food for a week or so, and then just stop. She is presently eating Cesars, assorted flavors. I'm not crazy about feeding her this and would prefer she ate Blue Buffalo like she used to, but that got old to her, just like the rest. But it didn't matter what she ate...she still would belch afterward. Maybe a visit to her vet is in order, although she was just in for her shots.

[MochaBoyMom]

Give her probiotics formulated for dogs. That worked wonders for my baby.