Cause of random regurgitation

[PrincessBelle]

I did a search and couldn’t find anything on this topic, so I’m sorry if this is repetitive.

My 1 year old Yorkie goes through bouts of regurgitation. This time it’s been going on for 2 days. Sometimes she’ll go weeks without regurgitating, so I’m not sure what’s causing this. She has IBD and is on Primal freeze dried. She eats 3 meals per day, 3 different proteins. She’s not on any meds and doesn’t get any treats (super sensitivity stomach). Nothing new has been introduced to her diet, and she hasn’t ingested anything she shouldn’t have. Her bowel movements are normal. We use a slow feeder bowl.

Any thoughts on what could be causing these bouts of regurgitation? TIA!

[ladyjane]

Does she have a diagnosed case of IBD? If so, my guess would be diet.

[PrincessBelle]

Yes, it was DXd via endoscopy. The food she’s on now is what helped her to overcome her symptoms. She almost died last year from the food & medicine she was on. There are weeks when she’s completely fine. I just don’t know what the trigger is.

[aweitzm1]

My yorkie Thumper will sometimes regurgitate or burp water. He loves to drinks lots of water at one time and will regurgitate it when he drinks to fast or much in one sitting.

Additionally, both Thumper and Bella will look like they are gasping for air with their head high when they eat too much too fast.

Not sure if that is the same as your baby. Usually I try and pick up the water for a little bit if they are drinking too much and put it back about a minute later.

[PrincessBelle]

Originally Posted by aweitzm1

My yorkie Thumper will sometimes regurgitate or burp water. He loves to drinks lots of water at one time and will regurgitate it when he drinks to fast or much in one sitting.

Additionally, both Thumper and Bella will look like they are gasping for air with their head high when they eat too much too fast.

Not sure if that is the same as your baby. Usually I try and pick up the water for a little bit if they are drinking too much and put it back about a minute later.

Ok, thank you! I’ll try that with her food & see if that helps.

[ladyjane]

https://www.marvistavet.com/inflamma...el-disease.pml

[Bluebells]

Can you just confirm that your pup is regurgitating and not vomiting. I’m not questioning you, but some people do use the terms interchangeably when they’re actually different, so I want to make sure we’re all “on the same page” here.

The only time I’ve experienced a dog with a regurgitation (vs vomiting) problem was when I had a foster with megaesophagus.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Bluebells

Can you just confirm that your pup is regurgitating and not vomiting. I’m not questioning you, but some people do use the terms interchangeably when they’re actually different, so I want to make sure we’re all “on the same page” here.

The only time I’ve experienced a dog with a regurgitation (vs vomiting) problem was when I had a foster with megaesophagus.

I thought same thing but since it is so random I kind of figured it was vomiting. Never know though.
I would definitely like that answer to that.....and whether or not this is an actual diagnosed case of IBD. If it is, I doubt that is a great diet for her. My IBD pup was on hydrolyzed diet. I have another who is on hydrolyzed but she also requires prednisone daily.

[PrincessBelle]

Originally Posted by Bluebells

Can you just confirm that your pup is regurgitating and not vomiting. I’m not questioning you, but some people do use the terms interchangeably when they’re actually different, so I want to make sure we’re all “on the same page” here.

The only time I’ve experienced a dog with a regurgitation (vs vomiting) problem was when I had a foster with megaesophagus.

Yes, it’s definitely regurgitation. She doesn’t posture & its i digested food. She does not have megaesophagus. The ER vet confirmed that she didn’t have that when she did her endoscopy.

[PrincessBelle]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I thought same thing but since it is so random I kind of figured it was vomiting. Never know though.
I would definitely like that answer to that.....and whether or not this is an actual diagnosed case of IBD. If it is, I doubt that is a great diet for her. My IBD pup was on hydrolyzed diet. I have another who is on hydrolyzed but she also requires prednisone daily.

It is a DXd case of IBD - confirmed via biopsy during endoscopy. I answered yesterday, but all of my responses are being held pending moderator approval.

[PrincessBelle]

Sorry, typo... it’s undigested food that’s coming up; no posturing. It’s regurgitation, not vomiting.

[Bluebells]

Just in case the poster doesn’t know:

Vomiting means expelling stomach contents. It might be fairly soon after eating or long after eating. Depending on the timing, there might be partially digested food and/or yellow liquidy bile and usually smells sour. Since it’s being expelled all the way from the stomach, there is generally retching involved.

Regurgitation means expelling recently eaten food from the esophagus. It usually comes up without any retching or apparent effort and usually has no sour smell. A dog will often want to eat the regurgitated food, because he/she is hungry and it smells like food.

There are many causes of vomiting (sometimes a cause can’t even be found). LadyJane is likely correct that, if this really is vomiting, it’s related to diet and IBD if that’s been diagnosed.

I’m not sure, but I think there are fewer possible causes of frequent regurgitation. The only one I have experience with is megaesophagus, which is a nasty condition.

[Bluebells]

Originally Posted by PrincessBelle

Sorry, typo... it’s undigested food that’s coming up; no posturing. It’s regurgitation, not vomiting.

We were posting at the same time.

What has your vet said about the regurgitation?

[Bluebells]

Originally Posted by PrincessBelle

Yes, it’s definitely regurgitation. She doesn’t posture & its i digested food. She does not have megaesophagus. The ER vet confirmed that she didn’t have that when she did her endoscopy.

I’m not completely sure on this, but I think a chest x-ray is needed to rule out megaesophagus. Also, while megaesophagus can be congenital, it can also develop more slowly in response to other digestive conditions. So while you’re searching for a cause of the regurgitation, you might at least want to discuss it with your vet to be sure it’s properly ruled out. If it’s developing secondary to the IBD, it is much more treatable if caught early.

[PrincessBelle]

Originally Posted by Bluebells

I’m not completely sure on this, but I think a chest x-ray is needed to rule out megaesophagus. Also, while megaesophagus can be congenital, it can also develop more slowly in response to other digestive conditions. So while you’re searching for a cause of the regurgitation, you might at least want to discuss it with your vet to be sure it’s properly ruled out. If it’s developing secondary to the IBD, it is much more treatable if caught early.

Ok, perfect. Thank you! The vet said that regurgitation is a normal part of the digestive process, but with it happening randomly it does have me concerned. It is def regurgitation because it just comes right up with no struggle, is undigested food & she eats it. She has vomited in the past (when she was sick for a different reason), so I know how to tell the difference now. She has a check up in early Feb. so I’ll discuss getting a chest X-ray.