Self-treating 7yo dog with stomach ulcer is getting worse

[QChickieMama]

Our 7yo English Springer Spaniel seems to have a stomach ulcer.

Reasons we think she has an ulcer: she is desperate to eat grass and then vomits, her appetite and weight are down. She's mostly healthy otherwise.

Treatment: we've put her on Hill's ID dry food which we moisten and add alfalfa tablets, licorice, and slippery elm. And 2 Pepcid twice daily. She's been on this for 1.5 weeks. She showed initial improvement--after two days, she didn't seem as compelled to eat grass and she had more energy.

Yesterday she barely ate. Today only a few bites. She threw up just now, bile and two blades of grass.

What to do now? Besides take her to a vet. (We have taken her in maybe 5x since March, and all they've done is waste our $.)

 

[lazy gardener]

Without a diagnosis, you are treating in vain. Her symptoms could be due to any number of things including: worms, intestinal blockage, a tumor. an infection. You've been treating her for 10 days and she's not better. I would suggest that if you don't have any confidence in the current vet that you go to an other clinic. Was she treated by the vet for the same symptoms? What did the treatment consist of? Was there any improvement with the treatment?

 

[MROO]

What to do now? Besides take her to a vet. (We have taken her in maybe 5x since March, and all they've done is waste our $.)

Have you had an x-ray done? We were treating my old Border Collie mix for an eating issue. We changed foods, tried meds, did all sorts of things. A single, simple x-ray turned up a nasty mass in his throat and stomach. The poor old man had stomach cancer. I wish we had done that x-ray earlier. It would have saved him a world of silent suffering.

We put him down that day. It was so hard, but it was the right thing to do. Six months later, I still have a Border Collie shaped hole in my heart. It'll probably be there for the rest of my life.

Please keep us posted on your furbaby,

And Rest in Peace, my dear, sweet Tag.

 

[Folly's place]

x3! She's sick and needs to see a veterinarian, and be worked up for whatever's wrong, ASAP.
Find another clinic if you aren't happy where you've been going; consider a specialty practice if possible.
Mary

 

[Peaches Lee]

I agree with lazy gardener...Find a new vet and get some bloodwork done.

 

[Taliasun]

I agree with everyone so far. Change vets if you're unhappy with the care so far and make sure to bring your records so that they don't repeat anything. It could be lots of different issues. I'd also stop the supplements you're using until you know what the issue is and just stick to the pepcid and bland dog food.
An internal medicine specialist might be initially more expensive but might be able to help with the most expediency.

 

[cassie]

My suggestion is not a medical treatment but it might be helpful and might make her feel a little better. I once cared for a dog who had some serious digestive issues. The vet had me feed him cooked hamburger mixed with Minute Rice. This is a soothing and easily digested food. Pepto Bismol can also help with an upset tummy. Your dog needs to see a doctor. Whatever is wrong, you can't fix it yourself.

 

[llombardo]

Check out Monica Segal.

https://www.monicasegal.com/Why-Do-Dogs-Eat-Grass.html

I would remove the food inmediately. I worked as a vet tech for a long time. That food is garbage.

I would request an X-ray, then an ultra sound. I would go to a completely different vet. A holistic vet would be best.

Do you give any heartworm or flea medications? Did they check the pancreas?

 

[llombardo]

ID is a terrific diet, unless there's a problem with an ingredient sensitivity. Those of us playing 'Dr. Google' cant' fix your dog's problem! I also think that more needs to happen, so here's what I'm thinking;
Ultrasound evaluation by an expert
Xrays
Food trial for ingredient sensitivities
Don't let her eat that grass!
Mary

Please do your research on foods. Anything hills science diet or royal canine is crap. There is no questions about it. Again please do research it--not even saying take my word for it.

 

[MROO]

Oh - and she isn't vomiting because she's eating grass, she's eating grass because instinct tells her that she needs to vomit. I know that sounds backwards, but what it boils down to is that her stomach hurts. A lot. Poor baby.
Good Luck - and please keep us posted.