Request urgent help - Basset vomiting for 2 months now

paul_d1 · 03-20-2011

Hi friends,

I would request all of your inputs in helping my 1 yr 7 months old basset who has been vomiting for the last 2 months. He has this issue of vomiting right after food most of the times when he throws out the food or sometimes even without food when he throws out thick white slimy foamy liquid. And many a times he is seen heaving around making noises as if trying to vomit. The vet has given him Ranitidine injections, Domperidone caps and antibiotic but to no avail. Domperidone given on empty tummy seem to help but only a little. Now, his health has taken a toll and he has lost weight also. We had dewormed him in Jan. Shall it be done again? Or anti vomit medications like Reglan is reqd? We are at a loss. So, guys, pls help urgently with all your experience. This is very very urgent pls.

cigwyllt · 03-20-2011

Has the vet done any other tests? Any scans or xrays? Could he have an internal blockage?

Yogi · 03-20-2011

You could also have your vet check for this condition.

Megaesophagus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Megaesophagus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://vetneuromuscular.ucsd.edu/pub...Brochure-1.pdf
Many times this is overlooked as a reason for regurgitation shortly after eating.

CorkyMax · 03-20-2011

Sorry to hear about your dog. Here is a thread that was done in this forum before. You may find some info there--also note all the links to check on throughout the posts--See esp. post # 16.

Vomitting

paul_d1 · 03-21-2011

Thanks friends for the support and concern for my poor dog.

Well, some resources on net have mentioned complete starvation for 24 to 30 hours to see if it helps. My vet has also suggested it. So what do you say? Shall we give it a try? (Though he will make a ruckus with whinning and barking as his appetite has not diminished, and I feel so bad to starve him like that so I have not yet tried that).

And my vet is pretty sure that it is not a case of obstruction inside the gut. His opinion is gastritis.

CorkyMax · 03-21-2011

Have you mentioned what Yogi and I (Corky/Max) posted you above to your vet!? Sorry but I don't know how good a vet you have----Many are not the best. Sounds to me that he may be looking for an 'easy way out!' It may cost you more money to find out if it is what we have mentioned--but if it is that--you need to find out.

Here is a link to info on gastrtis: Gastritis: Stomach Inflammation & Vomiting in Dogs
I gather from what you said--Your dog has an appetite---Check out the symptoms of gastritis in the link I gave above. Loss of appetite is a symptom!!! (You said your dog has an appetite!)

If you try the no eating for 24-30 hrs and it doesn't help--I hope you get the other thing checked out. If you have not mentioned the possible condition that Yogi and I have mentioned to your vet yet---Why not at least call him and ask about that possibility and what has to be done to rule it out.

The thick white slimy foam liquid you mentioned is because there is nothing (food) in his stomach---Going without food for 24-30 hrs. is not going to help that situation. It just bothers me that he will be going without even more. I hope you make sure he is drinking water and not getting dehydrated (Can be life-threatening if bad enough--and vomiting will bring it on faster!)

Please get to bottom of this problem FAST----If he has been having this problem for 2 months--He is surely not getting much nutrition--Not healthy!
I would be thinking about using supplements once he eats without vomiting.
You have had him on antibiotics---Should have probiotics given to counteract losing the good bacteria that is needed for health in the gut!!

What about bowel movements---Prob. not doing much but can you describe them---color-consistency--odor---This can sometimes give you an idea of where the problem is. I have a listing for this but am not going to print it all out here! I can check it out if you give me some info.

Please keep us updated---Worry otherwise!

Just found this very good site. Note that there are 4 pages and also make sure you scroll all the way down pages as ads get in the middle and is misleading. Please read carefully and if you do find out that this is what it is--Please read again as much info there to help!!
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/megaeso...ogs/page1.aspx

paul_d1 · 03-22-2011

Hi Corky/Max,

Thanks a ton for your support. Both me and Shadow (thats my basset) really appreciate the pains that you have taken to provide valuable info.

Well, regarding my vet, in fact I have spoken to another vet, and he also seems to be pretty certain that it is not megaesophagus or bloating etc. He also seem to be convinced about the gastritis theory. The issue is that the way I am located now in a remote, rural area, the nearest large animal hospital with all the facilities specific to dogs is quite some distance away. So, at present the vets have to treat symptomatically.

Another thing...had it been megaesophagus, wouldn't he have thrown out every time he ate? But in this case, sometimes he is ok after eating. Its like one or two days he is ok then he'll start vomiting for few days. So, what is the reason that he seem to be ok for one or two days in between? Is it because of the Domperidon that I am giving on empty stomach. Do you have any info whether in cases of megaesophagus vomiting is regular occurance after food or it is intermittent like in Shadow's case.?

Regarding, bowel movement, its normal..I mean quantity is ofcourse less, but other than that its as it has been always.

Thanks again for your support.

CorkyMax · 03-22-2011

Was looking for info on the Domperidon(e) and this site came up. It is a good thing I think for you to read!

Help, My Dog is Vomiting

Not much info to be found about Domperidon(e) A little here and some info on what not to give at same time, etc.--->
International pharmacy domperidone - Purchasing domperidone in canada - Pharmacy purchase domperido - Soul Commune

Here is a good link on Ranitidine---Note that this is another word for Zantac. Be sure to read the bottom of page info on side effects, etc. Canine Zantac | LoveToKnow

Quote: Do you have any info whether in cases of megaesophagus vomiting is regular occurance after food or it is intermittent like in Shadow's case.?I know no more than you--You need to search the 'net' on this.

Keep us posted!

paul_d1 · 04-06-2011

Hi there,

Was a bit busy so could not update earlier. The latest is that an x ray has not revealed anything, so its gastritis or worms as per the vet. So, my dog is now on medication for gastritis and worms. (Something intestinal worm that the vet mentioned, I can't remember now). Just hoping that some result is there now. I am keeping my fingers crossed though as he has been through all the gastritis medications already and deworming was only in Jan this year. If it does not work work in the next 7-10 days the vet is planning something else. Though I don't know what that would be.

CorkyMax · 04-06-2011

Sorry to hear that this hasn't been figured out yet---poor puppy. But thanks for the update--always hoping for the best news. An awful lot of meds your dog has been on--Hope some of them haven't caused any problems--Would suggest you put the name of each med in your browser to keep a check on this---some meds can cause problems and some may be too much together too. Example to put in browser-dogs (name of med) adverse effects.

Hoping for the best--Keep us posted.

paul_d1 · 06-17-2011

Hi All,

Updating this after a long time. Sadly, my dog has not yet recovered from his illness. We have conducted blood, urine, stool tests etc to diagnose the problem but no conclusive answer ha been found. As per vets, it now seems to be a case of ehrlichiosis. And so treatment for the same is going on for the last 6 weeks with continuos high dosages of tetracycline along with multivitamin. Though, it seems that frequency of the vomitting has reduced but it has not been cured completely. Moreover, the general disposition of the dog is also poor. So, overall, I am very distressed and just hoping to god that this time he recovers. In the last 6 months he has gone through so much and so many different medications that I feel very bad. Also, now a days his eyesight is also poorer by around 50% which could be caused in ehrlichiosis. Though vomitting has reduced a bit, the excessive salivation is continuing. Also, of late he is sometimes sensitive to touch like when fondled or rubbed over his back, he sometimes yelps as if in pain. It seems that he is sometimes sore just under the skin at different places at different times. Does anyone have some idea about this condition? Or is it associated with ehrlichiosis? Or is it ehrlichiosis at all? I am not so sure. Hoping for your inputs.

cigwyllt · 06-17-2011

I'm so sorry you haven't had good news or an improvement. I've not heard of the condition before but I did google it, as I'm sure you have done, and found this article was simple and informative.

Ehrlichiosis in Dogs

I hope this is the answer and he starts to pick up now he is on the antibiotics.

paul_d1 · 07-07-2011

Just to give some updates on my dog. It seems that at last the antibiotics have worked and his vomitting has almost stopped. So, that is a good news. So, aparently it was ultimately a case of Ehrlichiosis. But now the biggest problem is excessive drooling. He makes a large puddle whenever he is stationary even for 5 mins. nd he keeps on drooling continuosly. Pls pls pls....someone guide me to something of a remedy for this. Also, if someone could throw some light on the below q's. I tried to google it but did not get anywhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul_d1

Though vomitting has reduced a bit, the excessive salivation is continuing. Also, of late he is sometimes sensitive to touch like when fondled or rubbed over his back, he sometimes yelps as if in pain. It seems that he is sometimes sore just under the skin at different places at different times. Does anyone have some idea about this condition?