Upset Stomach

[jukel123 8,733]

My six year old Whippet bitch goes off her food every ten days or so. I can hear her guts squelching and all she wants to do is eat grass. I've had a scope done under general anaesthetic and there's nowt wrong with her guts. The vet advised giving her an antacid ( Zantac)when she goes off her food and this seems to do the trick.

Has anybody else had a dog with this problem? If so did you find out why this happens? The vet advised to give her complete chicken and rice. She was on raw meat, biscuits and scraps.

[skycat 6,174]

There are some dogs that don't do well on a raw meat diet. I had a lurcher which threw raw chicken straight back up: she just couldn't tolerate it for some reason. I had to feed her on cooked meat and rice and she was always in good condition. Just like people, some dogs may be lacking in the digestive department. Maybe a lack in the correct type of intestinal bacteria, or simply intolerant. I'd try your bitch on cooked chicken and brown rice (it has more goodness in it than white rice) Add some lightly cooked veg such as peas, carrots, greens, celery, but start off with plain chicken and rice, keep her on that for a month, then gradually introduce different foods. Tinned sardines, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, plain unsweetened yoghurt. Add something like Keeper's Mix from Dorwest Herbs as a good vitamin and mineral supplement.

 

She may also be intolerant to something in the biscuit you feed: is that a complete food or a mixer? Some dogs react to the chemical preservatives, colourings and flavourings in manufactured dog food.

[trenchfoot 4,243]

My six year old Whippet bitch goes off her food every ten days or so. I can hear her guts squelching and all she wants to do is eat grass. I've had a scope done under general anaesthetic and there's nowt wrong with her guts. The vet advised giving her an antacid ( Zantac)when she goes off her food and this seems to do the trick.

Has anybody else had a dog with this problem? If so did you find out why this happens? The vet advised to give her complete chicken and rice. She was on raw meat, biscuits and scraps.

One of mine is like this each spring and late summer. this matches when the sugar levels are highest in grass. Outside of this period he is back to normal. Vets advice is good, but if possible, try feeding them earlier than usual, or smaller meals more often. I looked into it, and have heard mention of grass eating causing excess stomach acid production. on an empty stomach this can lead to the grumbling sounds and discomfort., that causes the dog to search for grass to try and settle that discomfort. vicious circle! Antacids and regular/more appropriate feeding help break that cycle.

 

Good luck

[jukel123 8,733]

Thanks very much for the replies. I'll try everything you've both suggested.