Dog Ulcer

Visitor Question

Dear Kelly,

My dog is really sick and we are having trouble figuring out why. She is an older Lab, twelve years. We have taken her to the vet a couple times this past week and even had blood work done.

The problem is she has stopped eating and will throw up when she tries. The vet could find very little wrong with her, even in the blood sample. What she did find there led her to believe our dog had an ulcer in her stomach or intestines, and immediately placed her on a version of Tagament (human ulcer medicine). After three days on the medicine she is still not getting better. I would love to have a second opinion, if you have any idea what else could be wrong or any other ideas of remedies.

Thanks,

Debbie

Expert Reply

Hi Debbie,

Sorry to hear your dog is feeling so poorly.

If the Tagament isn't helping the situation after three days it's time for a repeat check up at the vet's.

There could be an ulceration, but there might also be an obstruction involved. Your dog seems to be throwing up everything she eats, but is she keeping down any water? If not, she's going to need a sub-Q saline injection to keep her fluids up until she recovers.

Your vet may have already recommended this, but switching your dog to a bland diet of cooked rice and lamb might be beneficial right now. It's certainly more tempting than kibble, and will give the digestive acids something to do besides irritate any ulceration that might be present.

Please let us know how she progresses and what your vet has to say.

~~Kelly

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