Dog frantically eating grass/esophagitis/sore throat

[angel_bright05]

I'm hoping someone here has had experience with this (sorry it's so long):

Beginning of the week, my dog frantically starts licking and trying to eat everything in sight (floor, cones/leaves on back patio, ate the backdoor mat, sand, etc). Vomited up the mat and the grass, however continued to eat grass non-stop. Was also double swallowing, as if something was stuck in his throat.

Started in the morning, did not stop. Took him to the vet that evening (had to use the on-call vet), and they assessed him. Ended up being diagnosed with esophagitis and had to stay overnight at the clinic due to dehydration...was on IV fluids so they could monitor him.

He was started on an antacid and stomach protector, picked him up the next afternoon. He looked better, but was still doing the double swallowing thing.

That was Monday. He has been drinking well, eating ok. I've been wetting his food down. He did puke it up last evening. Ever since he's been having very loose stools (mucusy, liquid)...and he can't control them. Have cleaned up after him in the house, even after leaving him for only an hour. Wakes up in the middle of the night wanting to go out...but all he wants to do is eat grass (and eat and eat and eat).

Called the vet today. Says to absolutely not let him eat anymore grass as it's probably irritating his throat. And to perhaps trial stopping the meds we were given, could possibly be giving him the diarrhea.

I'm trying the rice and boiled chicken diet right now for him to see if that helps...but it's getting upsetting....

Has anyone else had a dog do this?? His tummy is quite rumbly at times, so I'm even wondering if I should give him some Pepto or Gas-X to help??

Ugh...if anyone has an other suggestions please let me know!

 

[kmb584]

The swallowing you're describing is common in dogs who eat grass because of stomach distress (upset, gas, etc). They basically eat it in large amounts because the feel of the blades can induce vomiting thus making their upset stomach better. Is he on an antibiotic for the esophagitis? If so it's the likely culprit of the diarrhea. You can try giving him a canine probiotic; it will help relieve the diarrhea and gas.

 

[angel_bright05]

Thanks. The vet didn't give us any antibiotics. Just an antacid and a ulcer preventative.
Do you happen to know what brand/where to buy canine probiotics? Pet store?

 

[gemini2727]

Our dog did the exact same thing, double swallowing, licking non-stop at the rug...so upsetting to watch! He's had two episodes of this in his life, and thankfully they didn't last long. We were about to rush to a 24 hour vet when it started to subside, then he was fine. I've read about it and seems like a reflux/irritated esophagus thing. I would def. keep him away from eating the grass. Hopefully it will resolve on its own as it did for our dog. One word of caution, if your dog is of a breed that is prone to bloat, just keep an eye out for that if it happens again. When they are gulping and swallowing, they can take in a lot of air.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It must be exhausting for him feeling this way. I'd say he's in quite a bit of distress. I would probably take him to see a veterinary GI specialist, or another vet who can actually help him. I agree to watch for bloat. If this keeps up over the weekend, he may be in bad shape by the beginning of next week. Go to a veterinary hospital associated with a university veterinary school if you have to, as there will be specialists there, unless you have one closer who can see him tomorrow. Hope you can find a solution.

 

[kmb584]

Thanks. The vet didn't give us any antibiotics. Just an antacid and a ulcer preventative.
Do you happen to know what brand/where to buy canine probiotics? Pet store?

Petsmart or Petco should carry some. I've always used FortiFlora (I think Purina makes it) but there should be other brands too.

 

[angel_bright05]

It must be exhausting for him feeling this way. I'd say he's in quite a bit of distress. I would probably take him to see a veterinary GI specialist, or another vet who can actually help him. I agree to watch for bloat. If this keeps up over the weekend, he may be in bad shape by the beginning of next week. Go to a veterinary hospital associated with a university veterinary school if you have to, as there will be specialists there, unless you have one closer who can see him tomorrow. Hope you can find a solution.

Thanks. Unfortunately we live in the middle of nowhere and the closest vet school is 20 hours away.

He isn't have large amounts of diarrhea now, but small more frequent. Up at 1am, 415am and 655am this morning. He's sleeping now, but when he takes a deep breath it almost sounds congested.

I'm going to be bringing him back to the vet this weekend.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

How was the esophagitis diagnosed? Did the vet do x-rays or a Barium study to rule out a foreign body in his esophagus? Did your dog get into any irritating substances that you know of like household cleaners or something similar to cause this?

I'm guessing the prescribed meds are something along the lines of Famotidine (Pepcid) and Sucralfate (Carafate), is that right? If so, it's best to give those meds a couple hours apart from one another as they may interact. Give both on an empty stomach for maximum efficacy. Also, for esophageal ulcers the Sucralfate is best administered mixed into a slurry with water via syringe to allow it to coat the esophagus. Neither of those meds would be high on the suspect list for causing diarrhea. (That's why I asked about toxin exposure, though it's quite possible that the diarrhea is nothing more than a stress response.)

Hospitalizing him on fluids while withholding food and water for a couple of days would help to give the ulcers time to heal. If that hasn't already been done you may want to ask your vet about that option. Also, he may need the fluids anyway at this point because of the ongoing diarrhea.

Don't give him Pepto, Gas-x, or anything else that hasn't been prescribed by your vet. Not all human medications are safe for dogs.

You mentioned he sounds congested. Aspiration pneumonia is a possible complication of esophagitis, so do make sure that he's not laboring to breathe and his gums stay a nice normal shade of pink.

Esophagitis can be cured when treated early and appropriately but things can get a little dicey if it continues long enough for the esophagus to develop strictures, so stay on top of this. If there's no obvious reason for why he developed esophagitis he may need an endoscopy to get a diagnosis. If this, or anything else involved in managing this case, is outside the scope of what your vet is able to do I'd recommend you take him to an internist who practices Internal Medicine.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Angel bright05, google mega esophagus in dogs. Do you think that could be a possibility? Pay attention to the difference between vomiting and regurgitation. If it is what he has, he needs to eat in a vertical position and stay that way for a while, like 20 minutes after eating, in order for the food to get to his stomach or it will accumulate in his esophagus (causing stretching and distress, feeling like a big lump inside his chest) and he will regurgitate it out. There are other accomodations you would need to make for him, like softening his food, and feeding smaller meals, etc. This back up of food in the throat can cause food to go into the lungs, leading to (aspiration) pneumonia. (Concerned this could be the rattling you're hearing.) This condition can be diagnosed with an XRay, but it will require follow up with a specialist, more than likely. As a pp said, the meds prescribed can help this but give them as she described. The diarrhea could be a stress response, or something else. Just food for thought. I hope you can find some help today.

 

[Ponygirl]

Poor doggy and poor you. All this sounds awful. This may be a stupid question but did they test for the Parvo virus?

 

[JessicaR]

Bloat would have progressed by now. rule that out. He may have an obstruction. Sonogram - X-rays of his belly would be in order asap.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I agree about the possible Aspiration Pneumonia that the other poster mentioned.

Take him to the vet as soon as they open on Monday (or make an appt. and mention it).

My dog had the Aspiration Pneumonia as a result of vomiting during surgery, and we almost lost him. It was awful. He was on 2 different antibiotics for 2 months, with constant vet visits for checkups. Every 2 days for 2 weeks. Every 3 days for 2 weeks. Twice a week for 2 weeks. Once a week for 2 weeks. Until we got the all clear.

Hope your dog feels better, and seriously, contact the vet asap.

 

[lakelandgal70]

I have given my dogs Now brand probiotics. They are tablet form and I can split in half. When someone is on antibiotics I make sure they get these. Vet didn't have problem with it. Hope your doggie feels better

 

[Luvchefmic]

Just adding that I hope your dog will be okay.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I worried about this dog all weekend. How is he doing?

 

[JessicaR]

I worried about this dog all weekend. How is he doing?

I would also like to know.

 

[Luvchefmic]

yes absolutely waiting and wondering, very hard not to.