Unexplained vomiting

[dichro]

My 2 year old Pekingese has been having unexplained, intermittent vomiting for the past nine months (at least a few times a week).  Seemingly coincidently, this started the week after I gave him his first ever heartworm pill.  (I have since stopped giving them to him to make sure that this was not the cause.)  I have taken him to the vet a few of times, and they have run extensive blood tests, done x-rays, and examined him, but still have no explanation.  I've changed his food about four different times, as per their instructions, trying to see if it might be a food alergy, but still no change.   To the best of my knowledge, he has never gotten into any poisons.  We never feed him people food. He still has an okay appetite and his energy level is good and has never changed. Does anyone have any ideas what else I can try? Thanks!

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

IBD is inflammatory disease.  None of the foods that your dog has been on are hypoallergenic foods!  Ask your vet for a novel protein diet such as IVD Duck and Potato, or Fish and Potato (as long as your dog has never had duck or fish before), or other protein ingredient that your dog has not had before. There can be no cheating while on this diet for at least 12 weeks, than other foods can be slowly introduced.  Be patient, it may take 8 or more weeks before you see an improvement with the vomiting.

If your dog has chronic ear infections than he probably has allergies, and the hypoallergenic diet may help with them also.  As for the digestive enzymes:  your vet may have Prozyme at the vet office.  If not,  you can get Wobezyme on line or, in a health food store.  Try to get it as a childrens digestive enzyme or one specifically for pets.  The same with pepcid.  If you can only find adult versions than you would have to cut the dose down to 1/6 to 1/4 the adult dose while using the directed frequency.  Reglan and Cerenia are anti-vomiting medications available from your vet.  You can also try ginger capsules, available from the health food store.  Ginger is a natural emetic.  Good Luck!

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Does your veterinarian believe that your dog may have IBD or food allergies?  It might be a good idea to have a biopsy to confirm IBD.

What diets have your tried?  I assume that your vet has placed your dog on limited ingredient diets such as duck and potato or fish and potato.  If this is the case maybe your dog has a problem with potato.  

When I have a dog that fails a food trial using commercial food I switch them to a home-made diet where the client can control every ingredient.  Even the commercial hypoallergenic foods can contain some allergens.  These foods are "hypo"allergenic not non-allergic.

However, your dog may just need some digestive enzymes as a supplement.  

In the meantime I would use over the counter pepcid daily to help calm your dog's stomach, and maybe some an anti-emetic, such as Reglan or Cerenia.

When all else fails maybe a session with a holistic veterinarian would help.  There is a Chinese herbal supplement made for every patient.

[dichro]

What is IBD?  I'm not familiar with that.  My vet has absolutely no idea what is wrong with my pup.  Her last suggestion was to do exploratory surgery, which I am not at all in favor of at this point.  

I have been given Iams Vet diet, I/D, Eukaneuba Adult Maintenance, and most recently a lamb and rice variety.  Nothing has made any difference whatsoever.  Can you recommend a home recipe I could try?  

My dog is 11 pounds.  How much Pepcid would I give him?  How many times a day?

He has had problems with ear infections.  Do you think that this could be causing the vomitting?

How do I find out about the digestive enzymes and how much to give him?  

Thank you so much for your help.  I'm feeling more helpful already.