Chronic/Acute Gastritis?

[Athy]

Hey, folks, I just received my newest foster boy whom we've named Kyle. Kyle is about a year old and was left in the pound because he had diarrhea and vomiting - his owners' vet thought it might be an obstruction, which they couldn't afford to address so he was abandoned.

We've had him for about a month, during which time we stabilized his system with fluids, x-rayed him, ran other tests, etc., and ultimately determined that he must have had an attack of acute gastritis that might be chronic due to food allergies. I've had him since Saturday morning, he's on a prescription diet with home made biscuits and he seems to doing fine. His BMs are firm, no vomiting at all. I'm feeding him multiple small meals throughout the day and managing him carefully (routine, routine, routine) to minimize stress. He's already picking up weight and starting to act like a puppy.

Now for the big question: Can anyone recommend a good bland diet that won't aggravate his tummy that his new adopters can pick up at the pet food store rather than the vet via prescription? Right now my plan is to try to find something that has similar ingredients as the Hills diet so that I can transition him and hopefully maintain the status quo in his tummy.

Any insights from the crowd? I've never dealt with chronic gastritis but would love to hear your ideas.

[Elaine]

never had to deal with chronic/acute gastritis … knock on wood... so I don’t have any recommendation for long term bland diet, just wanted to lend some moral support... thank god for DAR&E ... it’s hard to imagine abandoning a dog that was suspected to be in need of bowel obstruction surgery… what the heck is wrong with people?

[Athy]

it’s hard to imagine abandoning a dog that was suspected to be in need of bowel obstruction surgery… what the heck is wrong with people?

I know - and he's a really nice little guy. Typical red boy, loves everyone he meets. My daughter has been working to teach him to retrieve and believe it or not, he's already getting it. He actually sits until she throws the ball and he'll bring it back to her and drop it at her feet. Smart fellow, he's a very quick study.

When we get him back on his feet, he's going to make someone a faithful companion.

Athy

[Elaine]

Not sure how far you want to send him, but Arthur has a colleague who’s father is also a medical professional, living in San Antonio, who may be interested… I will show him this thread. It’s surprising how many people respond to the dogs discussed here. :)

[doberdogsfd]

Sorry.......I missed this topic completely. Food stuff is always of interest to me.

Athy, it sounds as if you are on the right path regarding settling this puppy's stomach a bit.
Keeping him on the blandest of foods for a bit is what is needed. You had asked about food that his new owners may be able to purchase local to them, right.
Pinnacle which is made by Breeder's Choice has a wonderful line of foods for issues like this.

I would suggest a sweet potatoe and duck formula specific for dogs with very sensative stomachs. The produce a canned and dry. Duck is a lovely source of protien that is very clean.
Pinnacle can be found at www.waggintails.com. It also can be located on the Breeder's Choice website and they can help find you a store locally.

I will continue to research this for you and email you privetley with some other options.

Cheryl

[Athy]

I went to the Petco tonight and saw Pinnacle. I found a Natural Choice that said it was made for sensitive stomachs so I bought a 5 pound bag of that. I'm going to keep him on his current diet for another week or so then I'll have to start transitioning him.

I've been giving him a tbsp of yogurt and that seems to be agreeing with him. Since Saturday, all his BMs have been good and zero vomiting. I'm wondering if his previous owners (first time dog owners) might have been feeding four or five pig ears a night or something!

[doberdogsfd]

It sounds like you might be onto something regarding the pigs ears. :rolleyes:

Give the Natural Choice a shot. It is a little cheaper and more readily available.
I am not a fan of it. but there are few dry foods I like in general.

The yogurt is a good idea. Perhaps a probiotic as he is transitioned onto his other diet. It may be a good idea to keep him on them or the yogurt.

I keep my adults on a tablespoon of organic low fat yogurt. It is just part of their diet.

Cheryl

[Athy]

I usually give everyone a dollop of natural yogurt twice a day so he'll stay on that. And I encourage adopters to do the same.

I think so many of these treats available at the pet stores are designed and marketed to appeal to human senses and sometimes, they're just not good things for the dogs.

I'm just so glad we got this little guy. He's a nice pup and once I get his tummy straightened out, he'll be a goody.

[Athy]

Found out that Kyle was being fed Purina Puppy Chow for large breeds and Milkbone biscuits. I don't even know what's in Purina Puppy chow for large breeds. Milkbones seem like a pretty bland treat though. They didn't mention pigs ears or bully sticks or anything like that. Maybe he went trash-diving?

He continues to do well - we'll see how the chow transition goes - wish us luck!!!

[doberdogsfd]

There you have it!
Crap food that is pretty much just Captian Crunch and Fruit Loops! The little guy will be fine once he is clean of it :D

Cheryl

[Athy]

Would the Purina alone really do that? I've never fed it, had no idea. That's pretty bad. That puppy was close to being euthanized by his owners because he was so sick. I guess it was a blessing that he was taken to the pound - weird world.:(

He's really coming along well. I admit though we're having way too much fun with his name... Things like: "Well, well, well, well, Kyle..." :D

[katdobemom]

Athy
As we know he was taken to the vet by original owners but they never took him back for the follow up appt. they were supposed to.
These folks admitted they were in wwaaayyy over their head with a dobe pup so could have very well been trying to "apease" the poor boy with loads of treats. He could have gotten into trash can or anything. This was their first dog let alone a dobe puppy.............whew..........
Yes, thank goodness he was dumped at the shelter quickly.
They didnt even give us a second to take him in and as soon as the issue started, he was sent to shelter.
Me thinks your having alot of fun with the doofhead boy. :)He's going to make someone very happy.

[doberdogsfd]

Purina Puppy Chow's first ingredient is Corn, 2nd chicken by products, and then more corn gluten, they threw in some rice for a bit more carbs in case there wasn't enough. Then Beet Pulp was added.

DHA, Vit C and a few other poor quility supplements are added just so the main stream pet owner thinks they are getting something good and feeding their poor puppy properly.
By the end of the extruding process of this food, there isn't a source of protien left. The "chicken whatever it may be" is sucked out of it in the process.

Yep....it could cause a food allergy and trigger digestive issues a go-go!

I think Purina forgot they were trying to fed a carnivore and that meat, organs and all that neat stuff should have been used instead of a corn cob.

It is good he found his way to you folks!
Kiss and pet him for me......Cheryl