PUPPY CAN'T KEEP FOOD DOWN! NEED ADVICE...

[Trumpee]

My pup is now 5 months old. We've been feeding him since 9 weeks of age Nutro's Natural Large Breed Puppy Food. Almost 2 weeks ago Cassius started having a very difficult time keeping his breakfsts and dinners down. We've been to the vet a couple of time so far and they have taken xrays and run blood tests to check him for just about everything. The good news is, he is a very healthy dog. The problem is, we can't figure out why he still can't keep his food down after almost 2 weeks now. We would like to try changing his food to see if that helps. We have him on a diet of chicken and rice (human variety) currently and want to gradually introduce a new puppy food. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

-Dave

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Cassius, flashy, fawn, uncropped male born 3/11/00

 

[Robyn]

Hi Dan, I'm sorry to hear about your baby. Did they check for megaesphogus? My Cooper was tested for this at Tuft's when he was younger for the same symptoms. He apparently has an intolerance to dry food. I give him Nutro Max and soak it in warm water for about 25 minutes. He also gets 2 Tbl of yogurt and I keep him calm for 1/2 hour before dinner and 1 hour after. He now rarely vomits. Good luck, keep us posted, and welcome to the board.

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Robyn
Cooper, 5-11-99
Red fawn, neutered male, floppy and docked
http://hometown.aol.com/mnrbedsaul/myhomepage/pet.html
Mugzy, fawn, neutered male, cropped and docked rainbow bridge Sept. 98

 

[bobbie]

Hi Dave
sorry to hear about your puppy. I'm not much help on advice but I will pray for your baby. hope he gets better.
Bobbie

 

[Trumpee]

[Actually, they did test him for en enlarged esophagus and it came back negative. We have bought an adjustable bowl though so we can raise it up off the floor as he grows.]Originally posted by Robyn:
Hi Dan, I'm sorry to hear about your baby. Did they check for megaesphogus? My Cooper was tested for this at Tuft's when he was younger for the same symptoms. He apparently has an intolerance to dry food. I give him Nutro Max and soak it in warm water for about 25 minutes. He also gets 2 Tbl of yogurt and I keep him calm for 1/2 hour before dinner and 1 hour after. He now rarely vomits. Good luck, keep us posted, and welcome to the board.

[/QUOTE]

 

[Trumpee]

Originally posted by bobbie:
Hi Dave
sorry to hear about your puppy. I'm not much help on advice but I will pray for your baby. hope he gets better.
Bobbie[/Thanks Bobbie. I appreciate that.]

 

[Trumpee]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Robyn:
Hi Dan, I'm sorry to hear about your baby. Did they check for megaesphogus? My Cooper was tested for this at Tuft's when he was younger for the same symptoms. He apparently has an intolerance to dry food. I give him Nutro Max and soak it in warm water for about 25 minutes. He also gets 2 Tbl of yogurt and I keep him calm for 1/2 hour before dinner and 1 hour after. He now rarely vomits. Good luck, keep us posted, and welcome to the board.

[/Thanks for the assurance. It's nice to know there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

[tedjax]

I've never heard of megaesophagus. What is it and what are the symptoms?

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Trish
Indy-Neutered, Natural, Fawn, Flashy-10/6/98
Beauty-Spayed,Cropped, Fawn, Black Mask-9/20/94; Adopted from rescue in New Orleans
Shiloh-10/18/85 to 10/14/98; Waiting for me at the Bridge

 

[Trumpee]

[Apparently some dogs have esophagus' that sometimes are wider than they should be. Since my dog doesn't have this problem I really didn't get into it too much with the vet.]Originally posted by tedjax:
I've never heard of megaesophagus. What is it and what are the symptoms?

[/QUOTE]

 

[Robyn]

The paperwork I got from my vet says:

"Megaesophagus is a condition in which th esophagus is enlarged and cannot properly propel food from the throat down to the stomach. Pneumonia caused by inhaling pieces of food is a common complication of megaesophagus. Although the condition can appear suddenly in mature animals, it is common in young animals shortly after weaning."

Cooper's records say that from the time that his original owners got him from the breeder, he was unable to hold down his food. Now with the precautions we take, including elevating his bowl, he rarely has a problem.

And Dave...sorry about calling you Dan! :rolleyes:

Robyn

Good luck with your baby.

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Robyn
Cooper, 5-11-99
Red fawn, neutered male, floppy and docked
http://hometown.aol.com/mnrbedsaul/myhomepage/pet.html
Mugzy, fawn, neutered male, cropped and docked rainbow bridge Sept. 98

 

[Krikkit]

Hi Dave, I'm moving this down to the Boxer Health Issues Forum. It will still be open there Hope Cassius is feeling better soon. Has the vet ruled out a food allergy?