Gun Dog Forum

My 10 year old female GSP, Mercy, is having acid reflux fairly regular. once a month maybe..

Is it okay to give pepcid, previcd, zantac etc. for this?
Would it be the same dosage.

Thanks,
Rick

Just curious how you know she is having acid reflux? Honest question.

Try a few teaspoons of Brag Apple Cider Vinegar with her meals.

My old girl was having similar issues. I would give her one pepcid (or generic famotidine) at night before she went to bed as she had problems in the early AM. Not sure when your girl is having issues but I found that if I give mine a small snack before bed, she is fine in the AM.

mcbosco wrote:Try a few teaspoons of Brag Apple Cider Vinegar with her meals.

If it is truely acid reflux why would you feed mose acid? We have found that bicarbonate of soda or sodium bentonite helps a great deal for most confirmed cases but never increase the acid when too much is already the problem.

Again it can be a case of just feeding a little too much of our high powered feeds but ....................

Ezzy

ezzy333 wrote:

mcbosco wrote:Try a few teaspoons of Brag Apple Cider Vinegar with her meals.

If it is truely acid reflux why would you feed mose acid? We have found that bicarbonate of soda or sodium bentonite helps a great deal for most confirmed cases but never increase the acid when too much is already the problem.

Again it can be a case of just feeding a little too much of our high powered feeds but ....................

Ezzy

I don't know but it seems to help many people, including my father. Acid reflux is just not too much acid it is too much acid at the wrong time. Antacids can actually make the problem worse.

Trying ACV is a free look at a solution.

I guess I believe it is acid reflux, based upon my own experience and from another old dog that he Vet gave Metacam for some arthrites (sp) which caused him Relux. Mercy is not on any medications.

Mercy is waking from a sleep and swallowing hard, licking, sometimes bringing up clear liquid. Smells acidic. Hard to describe.
It happens during the day and in the middle of the night, 2:00 or so.

I feed the pro plan shredded chicken, I think it is 26/18???
The dogs eat by 6:00pm each night.

Thanks,
Rick

The dogs eat by 6:00pm each night.

Do they eat in the AM as well? If not...that might be your answer.

Perhaps try a senior formula maybe that will help, lower fat, more fiber. What did the Vet say?

She has not been to the vet.
They all get two cookies in the am and one in the middle of hte day.

These dogs all, except Buster and Stella are finacy eaters.
thanks,
Rick

I was asking about a morning feeding because the dogs I know who do this do so because they are hungry/empty stomach. Was just a thought....

Rick,

I would give her an antacid and see if it helps. Sounds like you are feeding a good feed and not over feeding. Try i and see.

Ezzy

Rick, my father-in-law's vet prescribed Pepcid for use with his little dog that has stomach problems, so I know it's used.

Pepcid AC - Now available over-the-counter as 10mg tablets, Pepcid AC is a useful drug for vomiting in the dog. Designed as an antacid, Pepcid AC decreases the acid secretion in the stomach, thereby alleviating associated discomfort and nausea.

http://www.vet4petz.com/alternative/otc_meds.htm

TAGAMET (Cimetidine)/PEPCID-AC/ZANTAC:
Reduces the amount of stomach acids and can be dispensed to dogs and cats suffering from ulcers, acid reflux or belly ache. Sometimes they are used to prevent ulcers in animals taking other medications. These medications are given once to twice daily. It's best to discuss the exact dosage with your veterinarian.

Tagamet/Pepcid-AC/Zantac Dosage
one or twice daily
Dogs
weight amount
less than 20 lbs ¼ tablet
...........20-60 lbs ½ tablet
.....over 60 lbs 1 whole tablet

http://www.walkervalleyvet.com/otc-meds.htm

When my Lab does that hard licking and gulping I give him two tums, he's fine after that...seems to work well.

mcbosco wrote:

ezzy333 wrote:

mcbosco wrote:Try a few teaspoons of Brag Apple Cider Vinegar with her meals.

If it is truely acid reflux why would you feed mose acid? We have found that bicarbonate of soda or sodium bentonite helps a great deal for most confirmed cases but never increase the acid when too much is already the problem.

Again it can be a case of just feeding a little too much of our high powered feeds but ....................

Ezzy

I don't know but it seems to help many people, including my father. Acid reflux is just not too much acid it is too much acid at the wrong time. Antacids can actually make the problem worse.

Trying ACV is a free look at a solution.

-------

Sal, you are generally correct. Acid reflux at least in humans is overdiagnosed to sell expensive drugs. Most of the problems are caused by poor first-stage digestion in the stomach. Putrefaction of food quickly occurs and you have the problem.
Changing feed and using digestive enzymes are the key.