Why isn't my dog going to the bathroom after acid reflux meds?

Hello. Acid reflux can result from several things, not just the production of acid in response to food in the stomach. Esophageal disease/motility disorders, diet, over-secretion of pepsin & non-specific inflammation can all contribute to the problem. It may be as simple as switching to a sensitive skin/stomach formulation of dog food, or an actual GI diet or one geared toward allergies such as Prescription Diet z/d. Adding an acid reflux medication such as famotidine or omeprazole is often a pretty safe option to try. Talk to your vet about what might be the best option for Gemma. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

It is never recommend to give another animal's antibiotics. It's not specifically prescribed for them, and it could cause problems. Giving Trinket your other dog's antibiotics could be the reason why his appetite has been off and cause the acid reflux (GI upset). In addition, he won't be eating well because of this bad tooth. Please stop giving him the antibiotics, and take him into a vet as soon as possible to be treated. Best of luck.

YEs, fewer signs fo nausea/discomfort and less burping wpuld be an indication that the treatment is working. Ensuring he eats slowly by using a slow feeder or scattering his food over a wide tray or plate so he has to work harder for it can also be helpful in improving overall digestion.

A single instance of vomiting is not too troubling. It is possible that Echo is simply having an upset tummy. I would give Echo a full 24 hours to let her stomach settle down a bit before thinking that a visit to the vet is needed. You can also try medications such as Pepsid or Prilosec to see if this helps curb any sort of nausea that she may be experiencing. Any significant increase in the frequency of vomiting, addition of any other clinical signs, or decrease in energy level should be addressed with a visit to the vet. Hope this answers your question.

A complete workup from your vet is best to rule out anything more serious such as food allergies, GI problems, etc that could be underlying and are being masked by the medication if the problems are persisting. In some cases, reflux and vomiting bile can happen if your dog has an empty stomach for too long. Feeding smaller meals more frequently, or feeding a treat right before bed/waking up first thing can help keep enough in the stomach to keep your dog from vomiting. However, I would still let your vet know the vomiting is continuing when off the meds and schedule a vet visit to rule out any issues anyway.

Chronic vomiting, has multiple causes but may cause an electrolyte imbalance which could account for the symptoms you are seeing. If he is drinking more water than usual, he should be seen by your vet for an exam and bloodwork to rule out kidney disease, diabetes or other GI issues. When a pet is vomiting, withhold food for 12-24 hours. Allow small amounts of water or unflavored PediaLyte. Resume feeding a bland diet (1:1 ratio of plain boiled boneless chicken and plain white rice). Feed in small, frequent amounts waiting at least one hour between feedings. If he won't eat, serve the food warm or mix in a teaspoon of baby food to stimulate the appetite. If the vomiting stops, transition slowly to the regular diet. If not or if the appetite does not return, then you will need to see your veterinarian.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Bandit. If he has not already had one, I would recommend having an ultrasound of his belly by a board certified radiologist. This will help diagnose any concurrent problems such as inflammatory bowel disease or something else that is contributing to his symptoms. Depending on his results, a prescription diet may help to improve his symptoms. I hope this information helps!