English Springer Spaniel digestion issues

[QChickieMama]

Our 7yo has had some weird tummy issue for a while now.

If allowed to eat grass, she does--and then throws up.
She has foamy runs sometimes, and sometimes her poo is normal.
She has lost about 5 pounds, from 48 down to 43ish. She seems thin.

What would you do? Besides take her to the vet. I'm doing that soon; I'm looking for some ideas of what we're facing.
Thanks.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What are you feeding? Grain based dog food will often cause digestive problems, especially if they contain corn.

 

[sourland]

I'd monitor what she is eating, switch to a grain free diet, and have a fecal run on her.

 

[True Patriot]

I concur with the previous posts about food type. Eatin grass is fairly common. I would check the areas she's been "grazing" and try to identify what plants are there. Some can be toxic. I had a lab mix that would continuously make himself sick on acorns unless they were all picked up.

 

[Tesumph]

Some dog’s stomachs are more sensitive than others. Some can get by on food like Purina, but it’s really not good for them. (cue backlash) I had to research and experiment for a food that wouldn’t make my Golden’s sick/fat eating. It tends to be a little pricier but they eat less of it so, you get what you pay for.

 

[dainerra]

sharing this from my comment on your other thread
it's possible that she has a heavy parasite load if there are fleas on her. Fleas spread tapeworm. And a heavy load can leave her with no appetite as well as extreme weight loss. But a heavy worm load should also be treated under a vet's care because the die-off can cause other infections to fester

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

sharing this from my comment on your other thread
it's possible that she has a heavy parasite load if there are fleas on her. Fleas spread tapeworm. And a heavy load can leave her with no appetite as well as extreme weight loss. But a heavy worm load should also be treated under a vet's care because the die-off can cause other infections to fester

My rat terrier did throw up when she had tape worms from eating mice, and of course their fleas, I had forgotten about that. Checking around the rear end for rice like segments is the best way to detect tape worms. I don't believe they show up in a fecal.

 

[QChickieMama]

They all eat an expensive grain-free feed with beef liver for training. Most of the grass she eats is fescue or centipede. Of course, she eats chicken poop if off leash.

 

[Tesumph]

Sometimes food can be “too good” lol. Very high protein content can cause upset stomach, but she shouldn’t be losing weight. I’d be a little suspicious of parasites too. How long has this been going on? She honestly sounds like one of my goldens, but she’s a doofus and eats poop and rotten stuff so I’m not surprised anymore if she gets queasy.

 

[QChickieMama]

Sometimes food can be “too good” lol. Very high protein content can cause upset stomach, but she shouldn’t be losing weight. I’d be a little suspicious of parasites too. How long has this been going on? She honestly sounds like one of my goldens, but she’s a doofus and eats poop and rotten stuff so I’m not surprised anymore if she gets queasy.

Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Adult Dry Food is what she eats and has eaten for 7 years.

It's been going on for several months actually. She had some surgery, and she's wanted to eat grass ever since then. Maybe her actual upset tummy created a habit of eating grass. We've been leashing her for a few weeks--usually she's a free-range gal--to keep her from eating grass.