I have a 6-yr-old female with a long history of vomiting episodes which have been investigated by a number of top-notch vets, including the University of Pennsylvania Vet School, which has some world-renowned gastrointestinal specialists. I have posted their findings elsewhere on this board in hopes of helping other with this puzzling problem.
All major GI disorders and disease have been ruled out, including ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis and thyroid, and Addison's disease. All other obvious causes have also been ruled out, such as worms, helicobacter infections, etc. She has blood tests regularly. She has been on about 15 different medications, ranging from antibiotics to prescription acid-inhibitors. Nothing has helped.
I have followed every feeding precaution for anti-bloat diets, as well as gastropexy (stomach-tacking) surgery. She has had exploratory surgery and GI tests including ultrasounds and barium studies. All were negative.
But my boxer has continued to have sudden outbursts of retching and vomiting every few weeks, (unrelated to feeding times) sometimes lasting for hours. Her stomach makes terrible noises. She does vomit, which apparently is a good thing since dogs who cannot vomit are at a higher risk of the dreaded life-threatening condition called bloat. I have to make sure she does not eat grass or anything else at this time (which she does to induce vomiting) because the docs all say this is a major stomach irritant which will only make matters worse. She does not have diarrhea or gas.
I have tried almost every commercial food, homemade foods and a BARF program. Nothing has helped.
BUT since she has started Hills Z/D hypoallergenic food (gold formula, allergen-free) for two months now, these episodes are still here but much shorter. This is a new hydrolyzed protein-based product which has the proteins broken up and therefore easier to digest. It is ONLY available from the vet.
Unlike other hypoallergenic foods which are based on new sources of protein (kangaroo, duck, venison, etc.) this is an entirely new formulation. (This is also different from the new "sensitive-stomach" formula Science Diet also makes.) I am not endorsing this product except to say that it has improved my dog's condition somewhat, and I am grateful for small improvements since I think my dog will die before anyone comes up with a meaningful diagnosis. All anyone can conclusively say is "gastritis" which is just gastric inflammation. The cause is a mystery, but it has damaged her stomach lining over time.
It is sheer agony to watch her gulping and retching for hours on end, especially when she leans on me and looks up as if to say, "Please help me." I hope this helps someone else who might have a similar problem.
All major GI disorders and disease have been ruled out, including ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis and thyroid, and Addison's disease. All other obvious causes have also been ruled out, such as worms, helicobacter infections, etc. She has blood tests regularly. She has been on about 15 different medications, ranging from antibiotics to prescription acid-inhibitors. Nothing has helped.
I have followed every feeding precaution for anti-bloat diets, as well as gastropexy (stomach-tacking) surgery. She has had exploratory surgery and GI tests including ultrasounds and barium studies. All were negative.
But my boxer has continued to have sudden outbursts of retching and vomiting every few weeks, (unrelated to feeding times) sometimes lasting for hours. Her stomach makes terrible noises. She does vomit, which apparently is a good thing since dogs who cannot vomit are at a higher risk of the dreaded life-threatening condition called bloat. I have to make sure she does not eat grass or anything else at this time (which she does to induce vomiting) because the docs all say this is a major stomach irritant which will only make matters worse. She does not have diarrhea or gas.
I have tried almost every commercial food, homemade foods and a BARF program. Nothing has helped.
BUT since she has started Hills Z/D hypoallergenic food (gold formula, allergen-free) for two months now, these episodes are still here but much shorter. This is a new hydrolyzed protein-based product which has the proteins broken up and therefore easier to digest. It is ONLY available from the vet.
Unlike other hypoallergenic foods which are based on new sources of protein (kangaroo, duck, venison, etc.) this is an entirely new formulation. (This is also different from the new "sensitive-stomach" formula Science Diet also makes.) I am not endorsing this product except to say that it has improved my dog's condition somewhat, and I am grateful for small improvements since I think my dog will die before anyone comes up with a meaningful diagnosis. All anyone can conclusively say is "gastritis" which is just gastric inflammation. The cause is a mystery, but it has damaged her stomach lining over time.
It is sheer agony to watch her gulping and retching for hours on end, especially when she leans on me and looks up as if to say, "Please help me." I hope this helps someone else who might have a similar problem.
