totally off topic - dog question

[Lulu54]

I have one of the granddogs here for a week. She is a german shepard/rottweiller mix and the sweetest best behaved six year old I know.  

I just was looking for an answer to this question and another site wanted to charge me $9 so I thought I would ask all of you.....

her stomach is growling incredibly loud.  I can hear her in the other room.  I had her outside and she was eating grass but did have a b/m.  no diahrea.  she doesn't act in distress, but she never does even when she is incredibly sick with ear or teeth infections.

Anyone have a clue what I should do to quiet her tummy down?

Lu

[BOK2Bjan]

I just had to comment, as I think I'm the "doggiest" person I know, and read everything I can on their health, care, training, etc.  Vets do prescribe Pepto, and it can be a Godsend!  The way to give it, is put some in a small cup, and use a long pipette or dropper, draw up the liquid and place the pipette (plastic) or dropper as far back in their mouths, along the outside gum line as you can.  Then close their mouths around it and hold it closed, while tilting their heads up - then squirt- but hold on tight for dear life, cause of course they'll pull away, shake their mouths, and try to turn your world PINK!  Don't let them do it!  

Holding their heads up makes them shallow.  It works for pills too. They don't get what I'd call "used to it" but handling puppies when really young, doing things they'll have to endure later for their health or grooming goes a long way to train them to trust you.  

Big dogs can get bloat - gas causes the stomach to float up (it's not attached like ours), then twist, causing tissue death.  If that happens it's an emergency surgery situation.  Now, I"M NOT SAYING EVERY LITTLE INDIGESTION IS TO BE PANICKED OVER, so I hope no one thinks that's what I'm saying - just that big dogs have to be watched more closely.  German Shepherds aren't barrel chested like Labs and Goldens, though, so don't get bloat as much.  (The big chest gives more room for the movement and twisting)

They can also be given Reglan if you find your dog has gorged on a lot of food quickly - helps empty the stomach more quickly and can prevent the build up of gasses.  Well - probably more info than you wanted, but it got MY mind off my troubles for a moment anyway!  Enjoy, Gramma, I'm sure you're doing a great job.  Do you feel safer?

Blessings from a dog (and cat) lover - Jan

[HVAC]

You are a Good Dog Granny!

[Lulu54]

thanks all you dog lovers and owners,
She appears to be better today - at least her stomach can't be heard in the other room.  She is still eating some grass but otherwise is her usual self.  It is my worst fear that I will be taking care of one of my kid's dogs and have something horrible happen.  

24 more hours and I'm no longer responsible.

Lulu

[jensequitur]

I don't worry unless puppy shows a lack of energy.  He likes to run around the yard and eat all sorts of things, including his own you-know-what, so he does occasionally throw up.  But he's always bouncy and happy - seems to be happy to be rid of it!

[HVAC]

As a former Veterinary Technician the main worry is vomiting with diahrrea and or lethargy. Dog's  digestive systems are very delicate any change can set them off. What most vets I worked for did was keep a dog off food for twenty-four hours to let there  digestive systems reset. I sometimes just skip one meal when one of my three gets sick. Rice and boiled skinless chicken no salt can help. For diahrrea libby's pumpkin. The dog show folks taught me that trick.

Ironically i had a call from a friend late the other night about a dog with an upset tummy and my dog started throwing up.

[scaredtodeath689]

Hi LuLu, I would not worry either. I have 4 dogs one being a whippet and she periodically has that roaring tummy growl. She sounds as though it is hollow. She is probably just uneasy w/ her family being away and being in different surroundings. Even if she is familiar w/ you and your home she  still probably got a case of nerves. Don't let her eat too much grass because it will most likely end up back on your best carpet. Good Luck

[vanhawk48]

Hi Lulu
I have my old Cocker  Fuzzy  and  he  loves  to eat  grass . We don't  have  much grass around our  area , mostly  desert landscaping ,  but  in our old house we  did .
Dogs  love  the smell and  the taste of  the grass . There  is nothing  unusual  about  them eating  grass . I  even  heard  they  do  that before  the rain ?
I  don't  know  how  much  truth  is  in this , but  don't  worry  about your  dog .
Dogs are known to  eat  grass and  most  vets  will  tell  you  , it's ok .
Vanda

[Lulu54]

PD - thanks for the tums and rolaids tip.  The only dog we ever had contracted parvo virus and the vet had us spoon feeding him pepto bismol hourly.  The pink mess was horrible to clean up.

Thelma becomes quite the picky eater when she is here - will only consume canned  lamb/rice,  She stops eating until DH gives in and feeds her what she wants.  

She is one of 4 dogs in their house - his parents take the older two.  We get Thelma, who still doesn't realize she is a dog.  And the youngest,  a huskie, goes to the kennel where she is absolutely thrilled to hang out and bark/play with all the other dogs.

thanks for the tips,
Lulu

[PastorDan]

I've heard two theories on eating grass.  One is that they do this to settle their stomachs, as the chlorophyl (sp.?) helps relieve heartburn somehow.  The other theory is that they eat grass to make themselves throw up, producing essentially the same effect; the stomach irritant is gone.  If the latter is true, we're simply left with a nasty smelly wet pile to clean up.

Since we're way off topic: Do you suppose dogs can become bulimic?  Call Jerry Springer, I suppose.

Never heard the term "granddogs" before.  I'll remember that one; it could be quite useful.

Oh, don't give them Tums or Rolaids, and I speak from experience when I tell you that Pepto Bismol's a bad idea, too.

[ShadowsSister]

good mornig SunShine, our furry babies can sure cause worry can't they, I agree that if she starts acting different than call the Vet asap, otherwise call tomorrow if for no other reason then for you to be reasured that every thing is OK...{{{~!~}}}

[Lulu54]

Thanks DV - I knew there had to be a few dog owners on here amongst all the caat lovers!

I'll just keep an eye on her.  

L

[doublevision1]

The same thing happens with my standard poodles.  I don't know what causes it but it never seems to bother them.  When I put my ear right up to their tummies it sounds kind of like the swelling of the ocean, and very loud and gurgling.  It may be happening because of eating grass.  Mine do vomit every once in a while after this stomach gurgling, and usually what comes up is grass.  I wouldn't worry about it unless she gets diarrhea or or other symptoms.  If it's still happening tomorrow and you're concerned, you could call her vet.  Hopefully they wouldn't charge you for this one quick question.