Desperate help with Puppy regurgitation!

[Andrea Lignelle]

Hi all!  I am pleased to announce the newest addition to our family!  Out precious Charlie (girl) goldendoodle.  Our first week has come with much anxiety however as our little girl keeps regurgitating.  (usually a few hours after she eats and it looks almost the same when she ate it).

 I have taken her to the vet  3 times and not sure what to do.  Just today we switched her dog food to one geared more toward a puppy with a sensitive stomach.  So far the vet has done stool tests and a barium exray (for her esophugus) and a regular x ray and all were good.  We've had her 9 days and she has regurgitated about 6 of those days, multiple times each day.  Also a few times she vomited bile.  She had lost a pound but then put it back on.  We tried chicken and rice for a few days, she threw that up also.  She has tons of energy though.

I talked to the breeder, all the other puppies are fine.  She is like a grabage can outside, she eats everything, but we have been diligent about getting it out of her mouth.  If the diet change does not work, not sure what we will do.  The vet is talking about another barium test and possible exploratory surgery!  Yikes!!!!!   Has anyone ever had this problem? 

Thanks for any help you might be!

Andrea

[Andrea Lignelle]

She was the smallest pup in the litter and I wonder if that had something to do with it.  They say they never saw her get sick but I wonder about that, and when she gets sick she eats it right away if you don't get to it fast enough so unless you see her get sick you wouldn't know it. 

She does  eat fast but she wasn't  when we first got her, she was still having trouble chewing the food, once I switched her to chicken and rice she started gobbling it up so I have been feeding her 4 small meals. 

Thanks for the advice, it may be too late for pet insurance.  I will have to check into it. 

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

It is never too late for pet insurance.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

How many times a day do you feed her and is she vomiting after every meal!

[Andrea Lignelle]

we are feeding her 4 small meals a day but I think she is still hungry.  No, she only vomits here and there, usually twice a day on the average, sometimes in the middle of the night, sometimes a few hours after she eats.  We have had her 9 days, she threw up 6 of those days. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

What about one of those bowls that slows down her eating?

[Andrea Lignelle]

I saw one of those on the web to prevent bloat, that may help!

 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

You can try it temporarily ( slow down eating bowl )  by putting a big old rock in the  center of the bowl.  The dog has to eat around the rock to get to the food, thus slowing them down.  If it works, great. You can get a nice bowl. If not, throw the big old rock out the back door.

[Andrea Lignelle]

great idea, thanks!

 

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I am glad they are offering to help with vet bills.  I don't know why breeders offer the option of replacing the puppy.  Does anybody EVER do that???  I'm sure you already love her to pieces & would never want to part with her.  Please keep us posted.  I (and I'm sure everyone else) am very concerned about your adorable new puppy!

[Andrea Lignelle]

Thanks, I know, we are so in love with her and you would never know she was sick to look at her, she is so full of energy and is quite a pistol!!!!

 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

While others are concerned and I agree, I can still tell  you our story and maybe it will give you some hope.

Spud threw up undigested food constantly as a pup.   Full bowls. Sometimes daily.  He was consistent.  I felt lucky when we went three days without finding his dinner in a pile on the floor. 

As he grew older it lessened.  Maybe because we found a  good quality food to feed thanks the the DK Food Group or maybe it was physical maturity, or both.

At 2.5 years old he still does not tolerate anything other than his food and a marrow bone.  Dog treats we make homemade. He has never been able to keep down store bought treats.  You can find our recipe in the DK Cookbook among many other good dog recipes. The treats are simple to make.  We make them in bulk and freeze them.   Many times it is less expensive than store bought and much better for them.

This is ALL he gets.  No rawhide, no table food--ever, no human treats, no special ANYTHING.  He STILL  will throw up.

I thought of you tonight as I cleaned up an entire bowl full.  He had A LOT of excitement today.  Dog Park, Grooming, Heat, lots of water and play time.   He gets too busy to eat--then when he finally decides he can find the time, he eats too much.   Small meals. 

 

So my advice is to hang in there.  Listen to your vet.  Keep a watchful eye on his weight.  Some good things to follow are:

• Make him settle after dinner.  No play for an hour.  Let the food digest.  All dogs should do this anyway. No puppy play.  This might be a good time to cuddle on the couch and let him get used to being groomed.
  

•   Try  small frequent meals rather than 2 large meals a day.   I can't eat 2 large meals myself without feeling like I want to throw up.  His little tummy is tiny right now.

•  It is hot and dogs drink so much especially when they are playing around.  Lots of water and a good romp always makes my dog puke!  It is a given.  And I think this one is common among most dogs. 
  

• Like food, keep play time at short little spurts and not too long.  They get really wound up.  They puke.

 

What helped us was a lamb based food but I am NOT saying that will help you.  What I do encourage is you read among the many postings in the Food Group.  See if you get any ideas that will work for you and your puppy.

 

We have a very healthy dog.  He is active and fun.  He just has a sensitive tummy and we make sure to watch.

Please keep me informed. I would love to know how you are doing.

[Andrea Lignelle]

Thanks!!!!!!  That is so encouraging, I have had her weighed 3 times since we got her and she had lost a pound then put it back on, when she lost the pound I was in full panic mode.  I will check out the food group on here for some good tips.  That is all great advice!!!  Thanks again!