Just wasted $350 at vet! what to do now?

[s3rous]

My dog has been throwing up since he was a puppy almost daily. If he drinks to much water he throws up. He will also throw up during random times of the day. He just lowers his head and it comes out. No real lurching. Sometimes he does kinda cough it out though.

The vet said probably megaesophagus and did a barium test and took xrays which cost me $350! When she looked at the X-Ray, she said his esophogus looked normal. I cant keep letting them run these expensive tests with no results.

She said to put him on some Science diet sensitive stomach. I do not want to put him on science diet. I heard of some other food that has different ingredients than normal foods. I can't remember it though.

My other question is: If it is his food, then why will he throw up just water after drinking a moderate amount of water?

Thanks,.

[Judi W]

It was not wasted as that condition can be serious and the symptoms warranted the tests.

Sensitive stomach diets are carefully designed. If the gut is in a constant state of disorder, yes, even water can be brought up. Try the food and see if it works. I probably would have tried the food before the testing, but if you are resistant to trying the diet change the test was probably the next choice.

[whitney greenway]

Judi,

Can that lead to bloat?

Just wondering???????

Whitney

[Judi W]

I do not believe it is associated with bloat at all. It is a physical problem with the esophagous wherein it simply loses shape and cannot move the food properly and in extreme conditions causes large bulges - just doesn't do its job of moving the food properly and in the right direction.

[Ev]

My cat used to do it too. The vet tech said she may be allergic to the food and to change the food, it worked. She didn't throw up nearly as much on the other food.

Madonna

[mmgy]

One really good--but somewhat plain---food that you could try is California Natural. Another, if you can find it, is Burns. I might try one bag of the Science Diet to see if it does calm his stomach, and then work in something else. What were you feeding?

I've had a dog with megaesophagus, and I'm thankful that your puppy does not. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

And now, I have one whom I believe has a "sensitive esophagus", for lack of a better term. He throws up random foods, but does well on his daily diet, which is primarily Canidae. We put a bit of water and canned food in his kibble, and make sure he rests (sleeps) for at least an hour after each meal.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by s3rous

The vet said probably megaesophagus and did a barium test and took xrays which cost me $350! When she looked at the X-Ray, she said his esophogus looked normal. I cant keep letting them run these expensive tests with no results.

I would very much prefer to spend $350 to find out a serious condition wasn't present than to spend $350 and buy a disease with it! Would you feel you got your money's worth if your dog did have megaesophagus? Your vet is doing her job by ruling out serious conditions where there is a likelihood that they may be present. I wouldn't be complaining!

[s3rous]

Thanks for the update guys. Titan has been on Innova, Canidae, Nutro, and is now on BilJack. I did the gradual change on each of these foods to see if it helped with his gas or throwing up. It didn't. I may try the Science Diet (sensitive stomach) or the California Natural.

[JBK]

Originally Posted by s3rous

Thanks for the update guys. Titan has been on Innova, Canidae, Nutro, and is now on BilJack. I did the gradual change on each of these foods to see if it helped with his gas or throwing up. It didn't. I may try the Science Diet (sensitive stomach) or the California Natural.

My male had a serious bout of gastro and he was put on Hills Science Diet Z/D. This was the ONLY food he could keep down at that time, it's certainly worth giving it a go! ;)

[spidey]

Hills Science Diet Z/D

Just to clarify: z/d is not Science Diet, it's Prescription Diet - they are both made by Hills, but the quality is very different.

[BostonRott]

I wouldn't say you wasted your money at all. Medical tests are expensive, no doubt about it. At some point, a clinician needs more than just a physical exam to start ruling in/out differential diagnoses.

Has your vet mentioned referral to a specialist? Have you asked about it? If you're not comfortable with the food explanation (and I wouldn't be either, if this happens after water too) then I would ask for a referral, and also what other conditions may need to be considered.

[Judy Chrusch]

I'm sorry but this has been an on going problem from day one with this poor pup if I remember correctly :( . He's been on too many different foods and I don't consider any costly tests a waste of money bc you have to rule things out. If your vet suggested a prescription diet then please try it. You won't know till you do and it could end all this misery. Limit the water intake as well, if you see he's drinking excessively then take it for a short period of time. But please find a food that agrees with him so he can be healthy.

I thought I was one of them who suggested California Natural, not sure but alot of advice was given in the past. Czar was on z/d and it's a food that is a NON ALLERGIC food, there's nothing in it, but if you have a dog that has serious allergies then this is what you want and maybe he wouldn't have to stay on it but it is a food that may help your situation, give it a try or whatever your vet recommended, it can't hurt. All the foods you've tried have waaaaay too many ingredients in them.

Czar was recently allergy tested and is now on California Natural Lamb and Rice and is doing well.

It's time you take advice from your vet and try to get him feeling better and free from vomiting.


p.s I just saw that Science Diet for sensative stomach was mentioned, now that's different then the z/d.

Judy

[Karyn]

My Neemo has has a sensitive stomach since day one also. She is celebrating her 9th birthday on June 25 and yes, her diet has been monitored by the vet. I am fortuante in that my vet is also into nutrition and holistic medicines.

[jasygirl]

I have had a very similar problem with Jasmine. She's always regurgitated randomly, but it got pretty serious the last year. Over a year ago she was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. She lost a lot of weight and I couldn't get her to regain it. (She was 70 pounds and should be about 85) They put her on prednisone, which didn't work and made things worse. What I found helped was taking her off her food (which had been Precise Sensicare) and putting her on Old Mother Hubbard Chicken and Rice. I tried Canidae but something in there upset her stomach. Also, I started using probiotics and digestive enzymes (Prozyme seems to work). This helped and she's back to a normal weight.
Then she started regurgitating all the time. The vet said it wasn't the IBS and we did blood work, stool samples and finally the barium swallow. Nothing. So as a last ditch effort, the vet recommended giving her Pepcid AC. I gave it to her for three weeks and it worked wonders. She does still occassionally regurgitate and I'm sure it'll be something I have to use off and on forever. But, you might try talking to your vet about that. I don't have any answers, but I know that I felt better when I found out that I wasn't alone with this problem. It can be a frustrating battle!

[jasygirl]

I forgot to mention that when Jasmine was first diagnosed, the vet put her on Science Diet LA, which did help a lot. I think she does better on Old Mother Hubbard Chicken, though.