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pamghatten

Dog with Acid Reflux

5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

I actually have 2 dogs with acid reflux, my older dog is on seizure meds which are known to upset the stomach, so he's on omeprazole (for now).

My newest dog Brownie, I adopted him from a rescue in December 2019, was diagnosed with acid reflux by my regular vet and has been getting omeprazole also. Today I had to take him to a dog allergist because his allergies are extreme. I cannot give him the recommended allergy meds if he's on ANY acid reflux meds. So I have to take him off them and try something else for him.

I've read all kinds of sites about acid reflux in dogs, many contradict each other in what to actually feed them.

Has anyone dealt with this successfully without the meds? What have you done?

This is Brownie ...



Comments (13)

  • 5 years ago

    awww what a handsome pooch!! I haven't had any experience with dogs & acid reflux. Just my hubs. Good luck!

    pamghatten thanked pudgeder
  • 5 years ago

    Our dog takes an occasional Pepcid AC.

    pamghatten thanked jrb451
  • 5 years ago

    Does. your dog have food allergies or environmental allergies?

    pamghatten thanked Bestyears
  • 5 years ago

    Bestyears, we're not sure which types of allergies he has yet. Yesterday was his first allergy appointment and we need to clear up an ear infection and skin infection before we go farther.

  • 5 years ago

    Interesting. I was asking because I just started a food-allergy trial with my dog, Savannah. Conventional wisdom among vets is that upward of 90% of dog allergies are environmental. But Savannah recently had her anal glands removed (because they were having to be expressed every. four weeks), and when she was still scooting a few weeks later, my vet had a lightbulb moment. She said, "We have a saying among vets: 'Ears, Rears, and Toes = food allergies." Savannah has had multiple ear infections, and she goes through phases of really going after her paws, digging, itching, and licking. So about a week ago, I started her on the PurinaPro allergy food. I don't remember it, but apparently, the amino acid is stripped down to the amino acid level. It will take 2-3 months to figure out if she does have food allergies.

    pamghatten thanked Bestyears
  • 5 years ago

    That is very interesting .. Brownie also has anal gland issues! I'll read about the Purina Allergy food, it certainly can't hurt to try it!

  • 5 years ago

    Oh really! Anal glad issues too! I was nervous she wouldn't eat it, because I've always had to dress her kibble up a bit, with bone broth, etc. But she absolutely loves it so far. It isn't cheap, $80/bag and I'm guessing I can only get it from the vet, but think of all the money I'll save on treats, LOL.

    pamghatten thanked Bestyears
  • 5 years ago

    Bestyears, I don't find a specific PurinaPro Allergy food .. ah, and you can only get it from the vet .. just saw that. I'll call the vet.

  • 5 years ago

    If you can't find it, let me know and I can send you a photo of the bag.

    pamghatten thanked Bestyears
  • 5 years ago

    Thanks Bestyears, already talked to the vet and she has a bag put aside for me when I bring the dogs on Friday for their nails and gland appt.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    They probably only make one, but this is the bag my vet started Savannah on. Apparently, it's also available on Chewy. Purina Pro Allergy at Chewy

    In our case, since we are really trying to determine whether S has food allergies, my vet stressed that S can't have ANYTHING else -no table scraps, no treats, etc. She normally gets a pill every morning, which I bury in a Pill Pocket. I didn't think about that during the visit, but emailed my vet the next day, asking if it was okay to just coat the pill in the smallest amount of Pill Pocket, but she told me to put the pill in cream cheese instead. I can only guess that cream cheese is a more pure substance than a Pill Pocket. Poor Vanny is completely befuddled as to why she suddenly isn't getting the salmon skin, etc. after dinner! I think the key word is "hydrolyzed" which you can see in Purina Pro's product name. If I remember correctly, my vet said I could use treats with that in the name, but I think for now anyway, we will just continue to forego treats.

    pamghatten thanked Bestyears
  • 5 years ago

    Omeprazole is a potent reflux med and I'd question whether your dog needs something that strong. Maybe your dog has some type of ulcer that requires omeprazole for now, but even in humans Omeprazole is not given long term due to possible bone loss. This info comes from my doctor since I have to take reflux meds, and I use Tagamet.

    My dog had reflux the first few years and his vet put him on Pepcid. After changing his diet he no longer needs the pepcid. Like others have mentioned, diet plays a huge role in the medical problems our dogs have and you may be able to control the reflux problem by changing his dog food.

    I would try the Rx diet suggested and if that doesn't work research for other types/brands of food that have worked for pets that have reflux. Also, check out some of the limited-ingredient diets.


    Please keep in mind that every med has side effects, so check for all the possible side effects of Omeprazole and see if your dog is suffering from any on the list.