Here at My Pet Nutritionist, acid reflux is one of the most common issues we come across in our consultations. Dogs with acid reflux may have it for a variety of reasons, from allergies to BOAS, and many other reasons in between. These dogs are often less tolerable of some generally preferred diets, so require a specific diet and supplement regime, which we will discuss here! A Bit About Acid Reflux Acid reflux is formally known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When a dog eats, a mixture is formed in the stomach, comprising of stomach acid, salts and bile; this is called chime. Those with acid reflux suffer from the chime mixture entering the oesophagus. Acid reflux is a symptom of many underlying health conditions, and can be very uncomfortable. While acid reflux itself is not life threatening, it can lead to oesophageal ulcers due to repeated inflammation of the lining of the oesophagus, as well as the potential risk of aspiration pneumonia. Symptoms of Acid Reflux include: Bad breath Regular burping and regurgitation Tenderness of the stomach (bowing is the main sign of this) Constipation or diarrhoea Lack of appetite Lethargy Wheezing and dry coughs Weight loss Acid reflux is often caused by low stomach acid, contrary to what many may assume. Proton pump inhibitors are often prescribed under the assumption that the dog has too much stomach acid, however it’s often the exact opposite issue. This may seem an odd concept, however it becomes clear that when the stomach is lacking acid, it is unable to fully digest food at a high enough rate, so the food tends to sit in the stomach, which is then regurgitated. For more information on acid reflux, read our blog here! Diet When is comes to feeding a dog with acid reflux, it’s important not to feed processed foods. Processed foods such as kibble, are very inflammatory, which ultimately reduces stomach acid. A reduction in stomach acid can be a major trigger for acid reflux, as there’s less acid to digest foods. Fresh feeding for acid reflux dogs can be raw, or lightly cooked. Many dogs with acid reflux find it difficult to tolerate raw food, as the food sits in the stomach for a long time; when it sits in the stomach in chime, gasses are released, and the chance of reflux increases. Cooked food is often the best option. When feeding a cooked food, it is incredibly important to follow a balanced recipe, such as our recipes! Sticking to the leaner protein options such as the white fish recipe may be the best option, as feeding fattier proteins may cause more issue for dogs who are unable to digest efficiently. Acid reflux is often a symptom of allergies, so it’s important to get to the bottom of the dog’s allergies, and eliminate trigger proteins from the diet. To achieve this, an elimination diet should be carried out. Why not book in with one of our team for guidance through an elimination diet? Ensure there is plenty of fibre in the diet. Insoluble fibre increases gut and stomach motility, which is essential for those suffering from acid reflux. Some great sources of insoluble dietary fibre are: Broccoli Leafy greens Cauliflower Carrots Berries Findings Here Feeding a good variety of proteins (if allergy constraints allow), and a variety of plant matter can help ensure there are no vitamin deficiencies, which could contribute to acid reflux. In the human world, bariatric surgery patients often suffer with GERD, due to the inability to consume sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals – nutritional deficiencies can impact our dogs too! Zinc deficiencies are common among acid reflux patients as it is thought that zinc helps protect the lining of the stomach. Findings Here Findings Here Working on getting to the bottom of any allergies and intolerances is important in helping relieve your dog of symptoms too! Allergies and intolerances are largely down to gut health, which causes a knock on effect on acid reflux. It’s also very important to choose the correct supplements to give your dog when suffering with acid reflux. Supplements The first, and most important supplement, or group of supplements we will be looking at, is those that aid gut health. Mucilage Herbs Mucilage herbs include Slippery Elm, Marshmallow Root, and Declycyrrhizinated Liquorice Root. These herbs are excellent for healing the gut, as they coat the digestive system. They not only help heal the gut, but they also soothe the oesophageal tract which is great for those suffering with acid reflux. Our probiotic and mucilage herb blend, Gut Guardian, may be perfect for your dog! Probiotics Probiotics are essential for a healthy gut. They help the gut microbiome flourish, which in turn aids digestion of foods, reducing the risk of chime sitting in the gut. Our aforementioned Gut Guardian supplement contains a great variety of clean probiotics, so may be a great choice for your dog! Findings Here Digestive Enzymes Some dogs, especially our acid reflux dogs, often suffer from poor digestion, due to insufficient amounts of the required digestive enzymes. When lacking such enzymes, food sits in the stomach in the chime mixture, which is them repeatedly regurgitated. Giving a good digestive enzyme may be pivotal to your dog’s recovery, or management of acid reflux. The two enzymes as play in this situation are Pepsin and Trypsin. Findings Here Rhodiola This is a herb, less commonly known in general, which contributes to responding to physical and mental stressors. As well as aiding those with diabetes, cancer, and anxiety, Rhodiola is great at helping the body cope with the physical stressors acid reflux brings. Findings Here Theanine Theanine is a non-protien amino acid which occurs naturally in tea. It plays a role in the prevention of acid refluc flare ups by increasing GABA activity, and reduce oesophageal sphincter relaxations. Together these reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. Findings Here If your dog has acid reflux, and you are unsure what to feed
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we often get dog owners wondering why their dog is often sick. In this blog we will explore the reasons a dog may vomit. Acid reflux One of the most common problems we tend to see here at My Pet Nutritionist, is Acid Reflux. Acid Reflux usually occurs due to low stomach acid levels, which cause the mixture of partially digested food (scientifically known as Chyme) to sit in the stomach. Other than sickness, other symptoms of Acid Reflux include: Lip or air licking Burping Stretching the head back Gurgling stomach Bad breath Increased salivation To read more on Acid Reflux, read our guide: Natural Guide for Acid Reflux in Dogs BOAS Brachycephalic Obstructive Airways Syndrome is a condition suffered by many brachycephalic breeds, including pugs, French bulldogs, English bulldogs, and many others. We see this condition a huge amount of the time in such breeds, and most require surgery to be able to breathe properly. Sickness is often a symptom of BOAS, as due to the poor conformation of the airways, regurgitation is common. As the dog struggles to breathe, there’s a negative pressure created, which often causes acid reflux, and therefore, sickness. If your dog is a brachycephalic breed, and snores, breathes noisily, brings up phlegm, is regularly sick, is unable to regulate body temperature, and/or sleeps with their head propped, or with a toy in their mouth, it is highly advisable to get them booked in with a soft tissue specialist as soon as possible. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Hunger Pukes Usually yellow in colour, or foamy, hunger pukes happen when the stomach is empty for too long, causing bile to be excreted. They usually happen overnight. This is common in puppies, and older dogs, but many adult dogs also suffer from them. Some dogs are happy to eat once a day, but others must eat at least twice per day in order to stop hunger pukes happening. Those who suffer with hunger pukes may be given a small snack before bed to ensure there’s something in the stomach overnight until the next meal. Findings Here Findings Here Sickness Bugs/Gastroenteritis Probably the most obvious reason for sickness, viral or bacterial stomach bugs often spread through the dog population. While sickness bugs are usually not the cause of ongoing sickness episodes, they can cause imbalances to the gut microbiome, which can result in regular episodes of sickness. If your dog has a sickness bug, ensure to feed small, but frequent portions of bland food such as sweet potato and cooked chicken, turkey or white fish. Many veterinarians recommend feeding rice as part of a bland diet; here’s why we don’t! Bone broth can be a great addition to the regime of a dog recovering from a sickness bug as it is packed full of nutrients, and can also stimulate the dog’s appetite. Findings Here Giardia/Worms Internal parasites may be a cause of your dog’s ongoing sickness. It’s super important to carry out regular wormcounts, even if you chemically treat for worms as these are not preventatives. Giardia is a protozoan parasite, and can be tricky to get rid of. If diagnosis is not very soon after contraction of the parasite, giardia can cause giardiasis, which is a condition where cysts form on the gut, causing major gut damage, and subsequent episodes of sickness and diarrhoea. Dogs who have suffered from giardiasis may require a cooked diet over a raw one, and will require a lot of gut work using a mucilage herb which suits the individual dog. Many do very well on Marshmallow Root. Findings Here Findings Here Poor Gut Health Blockages Blockages and stenosis (walls closing) in the gut can cause sickness. Where food is unable to properly digest due to a blockage, the chyme sits in the stomach, and is often expelled from the mouth. Blockages require a veterinary check up immediately; so if you suspect one, please seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible. Findings Here Allergies/Intolerances A common topic here at My Pet Nutritionist, dogs with intolerances and allergies will often show sickness as a symptom of an item of food disagreeing with them. During a reaction, the body creates an inflammatory response, which also affects the stomach, and therefore causing sickness. Not all dogs who suffer from allergies or intolerances are sick as part of their symptoms, but many individuals are. Leaky Gut When the gut is damaged, so many parts of the body can be negatively affected. When a patient has Leaky Gut, the barrier cells in the gut wall which usually keep it tightly closed, begin to open so a space forms between them, allowing for food particles and toxins to leak into the bloodstream. Because toxins leak from the gut, nausea is a common symptom of leaky gut, and so sickness is not uncommon in those suffering with it. To learn more about leaky gut, read our blog here! Unsuitable Diet Feeding the wrong diet for your dog may be a huge contributing factor as to why your dog may be regularly sick. The pet food market can seem like such a minefield, especially when large dry food companies often have a great marketing team at the helm. While every dog is an individual, and what suits one best may not be the best option for the next dog, there are some reasons why feeding a dry food diet long-term could cause recurrent episodes of sickness. Kibble is extremely drying on the body. To enable good gut motility, moisture in the diet is incredibly important. Most kibbles are around 10% or less moisture, which contributes to the inability to shift the food efficiently through the digestive tract. When it sits in the stomach for extended periods of time, it is very often expelled as vomit. The high carbohydrate content of kibble may also cause sickness as such carbs are not easily digestible for our canine counterparts, causing them to sit in the
Being a fairly common health complaint in dogs, particularly larger breeds of dog, here at My Pet Nutritionist we feel it’s important to understand what Laryngeal Paralysis is, what it looks like, what causes it, and how to support the body. We will discuss all these points in this blog! What is Laryngeal Paralysis? Laryngeal Paralysis is a disease which involves the Larynx; commonly known as the ‘voice box’. The larynx is a box-like structure which connects the throat to the windpipe (trachea); and is comprised of various plates of cartilage known as ‘Arytenoid Cartilages’, housing the vocal cords. As well as enabling vocalization in all mammalian species, the Larynx closes off the top of the trachea to ensure food and water are not inhaled. When an animal takes a deep breath, the larynx opens wider to allow for more air to be taken in. The larynx is surrounded by muscles called ‘Laryngeal muscles’ which help keep it stable. As with all muscles, if the nerves inside become damaged, it causes the muscle to relax. If the laryngeal muscles become weakened or paralysed due to nerve damage, the cartilage of the larynx will collapse inwards, as the cartilage is no longer stabilised by the muscles. When the muscles are weak or paralysed and the larynx collapses, this is called Laryngeal Paralysis. Laryngeal paralysis can be congenital (present at birth), hereditary (passed on genetically through generations) or acquired (due to trauma or as a knock-on effect from other health conditions). Like many conditions, some breeds are at a higher risk of developing Laryngeal Paralysis than others. Generally speaking, this disease affects larger breeds of dog. Most commonly affected, is the Labrador Retriever. Different breeds are more commonly affected by different types of Laryngeal Paralysis. Breeds most at risk of acquired Laryngeal Paralysis, usually in middle aged to older dogs: Labrador Retriever Great Dane Irish Setter Newfoundland St. Bernard Breeds most at risk of hereditary and congenital Laryngeal Paralysis: Leonberger Bouvier des Flandres Siberian Husky Bulldogs (various types) Studies also show a higher risk of developing Laryngeal Paralysis for neutered male dogs over entire males, or entire/neutered females. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Symptoms There are many symptoms for Laryngeal Paralysis; let’s take a look! Excessive/Noisy Panting Dogs with the condition will likely pant more than is normal for that dog, especially during humid weather and when stressed or after exercise, and this panting is often quite noisy. Lethargy They may become lethargic or wish not to exercise as a result of Laryngeal Paralysis. Change in Bark Many owners notice a change in the dog’s bark; just like in humans when one’s voice may change, a dog’s bark also has the capability to change if they have a collapsed larynx. Choking, Coughing or Gagging When eating or taking a drink, the dog may choke, cough or gag – this is due to the windpipe not being fully shut off from the throat, and the width of the larynx being extremely narrow. Coughing may mechanically force the larynx to open and allow food and water to enter. As drinking and eating becomes more difficult, those suffering with Laryngeal Paralysis are also more susceptible to Aspiration Pneumonia. Behavioural Anxiety You may notice an increase in behavioural anxiety due to the feeling of vulnerability, as well as respiratory distress due to the narrow opening of the collapsed larynx. Dehydration As water intake becomes more difficult for those suffering with the disease due to the narrow opening, the dog may become dehydrated. Gums will become greyish, dark red or purple due to lack of proper blood circulation as a result of dehydration. The gums also become tacky when the dog is dehydrated. Difficulty Thermoregulating Dogs with Laryngeal Paralysis are more susceptible to heatstroke, even in mildly warm temperatures, is another symptom of Laryngeal Paralysis, and can result in collapse. If your pet is showing signs of heatstroke (vomiting, shaking, seizures, lethargy, panting, glassy eyes, agitated whining, drooling, accelerated heart rate, unconsciousness) it’s imperative to seek veterinary care immediately (though don’t put your dog in a hot car!). Your dog may display multiple of the above symptoms of varying degree. Diagnosis So, how would the vet diagnose Laryngeal Paralysis? There are a few routes to diagnosis of Laryngeal Paralysis, but all will start off by looking at the medical history of the dog, and clinical presentations. Some vets may run X-rays of the chest to rule out problems within the chest cavity, and run blood panels, and urinalysis to rule out infection before examination of the Larynx itself. To avoid sedation, there is evidence to suggest that a suitable method of formal diagnostic testing for Laryngeal Paralysis is by performing an echolaryngography, through the use of ultrasound. Large dogs can be tested on the floor or table, while smaller breeds can happily reside on the lap of the sonographer to reduce risk of false results due to stress. Echolaryngography is a safe, and effective way to diagnose Laryngeal Paralysis. Findings Here Findings Here Another common method, used to diagnose lightly sedated dogs in order to reduce risk of false results due to full anaesthesia (which may cause the laryngeal muscles to relax), is through a transnasal laryngoscopy, where a video endoscope tube is inserted through the nostrils and down the throat to have a good visual of the larynx working. Studies prove this method to be as accurate as a traditional laryngoscopy, whereby the patient may require heavier sedation due to potential gag reflexes following intubation by mouth. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Causes Trauma Trauma to the neck area is often a cause of Laryngeal Paralysis. This can be through repeated use of unsuitable training tools which constrict around the neck, poorly fitting flat collars on dogs who pull, or even through freak accidents involving the neck area such as dog bites and subsequent deep wounds. We see many dogs who sadly develop Laryngeal Paralysis following a general anaesthetic; likely due
A common issue presented among our clients, readers, and followers here at My Pet Nutritionist is low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria).There are numerous signs and symptoms that your pet may have low stomach acid; let’s discuss the most common ones! Acid Reflux Low stomach acid will usually result in Acid Reflux, or it’s most severe form, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). When a dog has GERD, there is a backflow of stomach acid. Dogs presenting with the below clinical signs, are often prescribed Proton Pump Inhibiting drugs (PPI’s), which suppress acid secretion in the stomach, and can provide temporary relief, but can cause more implications in the longer term, and will not erase the cause of the low stomach acid, or its symptoms. Most commonly seen in brachycephalic dogs and cats, and those with shorter a oesophagus, low stomach acid is being seen more and more often in the animal health and nutrition industry. Read our Guide to Acid Reflux here Regurgitation Probably the most common sign of low stomach acid is regurgitation (bringing up partly digested food), bringing up bile (clear, yellow substance produced in the liver, and stored in the gallbladder for use during digestion), and sometimes bloody vomit. These various nauseating problems occur due to the mixture of digesting/partly undigested food, known as chyme, sitting in the stomach for prolonged periods of time. When it sits in the stomach for so long, inflammation worsens in the area, which ultimately causes food or bile to come back up, since it is unable to go down! A popular supplement used as part of many dogs’ battles against regurgitation, is Deglycyrrhizinated Liquorice (DGL)which is a great anti-inflammatory for the stomach, and helps heal the gut. Findings Here Indigestion Dogs and cats fed a raw diet while suffering from low stomach acid, will often be unable to properly digest meat and bone. Pets with indigestion will often have pieces of bone and fresh-looking meat in their vomit. In order to digest bone and meat (or other sources of protein), the gastrointestinal juices must be acidic. If there is little acid available, the pet will be unable to digest and utilise the bone and meat. During fasting (between meals), the dogs gastrointestinal juices are around pH 7.3, which is almost neutral. In anticipation of food, during eating, and during the process of digestion, the gastric juices drop to a very acidic pH of 1 to 2 – that’s not too dissimilar to the pH level of battery acid! Findings Here We often recommend a gently cooked diet as per our balanced recipes for those suffering with low stomach acid, as cooked meat and bone substitutes are much easier to digest. Lip/Air Licking Another very common sign of low stomach acid is lip licking, often called ‘lip smacking’, as well as licking the air. These are not only signs of pain, but also signs of nausea in both dogs and cats. Drooling and lack of appetite are also signs of nausea in both species. Stomach Pain, Bloating and Gas Due to the inability to digest food properly and efficiently, stomach pain (particularly after eating) is common in those suffering with low stomach acid production. Dogs especially, often display unusual behaviours like bowing (just like the ‘downward dog’ yoga position!) when their stomach is sore. This position can help relieve the pain. Some pets will look sharply at their stomach when in pain, which is a very subtle sign, so often one missed. Cats will often become more vocal when in pain, or lose their appetite. Stomach pain can also be caused by bloating, and excessive gas. The inflammation of the stomach can lead to visible bloating. The gasses produced by the chyme mixture in the stomach will also further add to the bloating. In order to release these gasses, owners of pets suffering with low stomach acid will often notice more passing of wind through the anal passage, or through burping. Probiotics and gut healing protocols can help reduce these symptoms. Another cause of bloat and excessive gas is bacterial overgrowth in the gut. Known as SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth), the overgrowth of bacteria alters not only gut motility, but also affects the gut-brain axis. Findings Here Findings Here Burping/Empty Swallowing Burping and empty swallowing (regular swallowing despite the pet not eating or drinking beforehand) are signs the pet has low stomach acid. Due to the low stomach acid content, the chyme will produce gasses which will cause burping and the feeling of sickness, hence the swallowing. Dogs and cats may also swallow when they have regurgitated, which would appear as empty swallowing. Constipation and Diarrhoea Irregular bowel movements and consistency of bowel movements can be a sign of low stomach acid in dogs and cats. Due to the lack of appropriate levels of stomach acid in these individuals, their metabolic rate decreases, meaning that important parts of the diet will take differing times of absorption, which can play havoc on the bowel. Pets who struggle with indigestion of raw bone may struggle with diarrhoea. A large part of the problem when it comes to irregular bowel issues, is down to bacterial overgrowth in the gut. As previously mentioned, SIBO has a huge impact on the gut-brain axis, as well as gut motility, leading to malabsorption of nutrients which can ultimately lead to both chronic and non-chronic diarrhoea and constipation. Conditions such as IBD may be diagnosed following SIBO in dogs with low stomach acid. Findings Here Bad breath As the chyme is stuck in the digestive system for such along time, it can lead to bad breath. Many pet owners associate bad breath with oral hygiene/dental issues, which is absolutely a possibility. These owners are often startled to see their pets have perfect oral health; yet are still suffering from bad breath. Digestive issues are a very common cause of bad breath, so it’s important to look into these too, especially SIBO. Focusing on the gut health should dramatically improve bad breath.
Whether it’s a trail of slobber across your face or you’re sitting in wonder at your dog licking the slate around the fireplace, dogs like to lick. Everything. We find it endearing and a sign of affection when we get a tongue to the ear, or we just assume they’re practicing good hygiene when they are licking their paws. More often than not, only your dog knows why they are licking that rock in the garden. But there are occasions when there is more to licking behaviour. Let’s delve into the world of allergies, stress, pain and just good old-fashioned grooming. Why do dogs lick their paws? If you made a tally of a day in the life of your dog, licking paws would come in pretty high. More often than not, dogs will lick their paws to groom themselves. So, if they’ve come in from their walk or even just from a mooch around the garden, you’ll find them preening themselves and even having a little nibble. This is generally expected behaviour. However, this can become excessive if your dog is irritated by something they walk through or on. Grasses, pollens and toxic chemicals can all cause irritation to their sensitive paws. You also run the risk of salt or antifreeze exposure during extreme weather. Not only does this irritate them externally, but through grooming, they ingest it and can cause subsequent damage internally. It’s always best to rinse your dog’s paws when returning from a walk and give them a towel dry. In extreme climates you can even apply an all-natural paw balm or simply some coconut oil. Dogs will also lick parts of their body that are painful or stiff; so, if your dog has strained or sprained their leg, they may start licking their paw of the affected leg. Long nails can cause pain too, so check your dog thoroughly if the licking is a new behaviour. Dogs In Pain Excessive licking is usually identified by a reddening of the hair on the area being licked, so it’s pretty easy to notice. This is thanks to a protein found in the saliva which stains the hair. It’s not blood, don’t worry. However, excessive licking can cause trauma to the hair and skin, leaving inflamed, red and sore patches. This is why the underlying issue needs to be tackled as soon as possible. Why do dogs lick people? Some dogs lick people, some dogs don’t. How they have been raised plays a huge part in this. Quite often, if a dog has been allowed to lick their owner, they may lick other humans. If, however, an owner doesn’t want this behaviour, then they will ignore it. The dog won’t get a response and often will cease to do it. Those of us crazy dog owners who couldn’t care less whose canine slobber we get covered in, usually become jovial, we smile or laugh. The dog, even in the absence of a “food” reward, is receiving positive reinforcement. Dogs can read human emotion and, maybe, if they think we like being licked, they figure it’s just something they should keep doing. Why do dogs lick faces? It’s impossible to know for certain why dogs like our faces, but we think it comes from their puppyhood. If you notice how Mum Dogs behave with their puppies, they spend a huge time licking them, grooming them. The great thing is, the more a Mum Dog does this, the more resilient her puppy is as they grow. They are also less reactive to stress. It is believed that this behaviour reduces the amount of stress hormones in the puppy’s body. So, we could argue that our dog licks our face because they are imitating the behaviour they experienced. We could also argue that our dogs do it to help soothe us (do they do it more if we are stressed?) The less endearing explanation is that actually, as a dog’s sense of smell is so great, they’ve sniffed out a crumb or remnant of food/drink around our mouths and actually just want a taste. Why do dogs lick your feet? Most will agree, feet are the smelliest part of the human body. In terms of biology, this is pretty accurate. Human feet have more sweat glands per inch than anywhere else on the body. Wearing tight fitting socks and shoes also keeps moisture and heat in, providing a great environment for bacteria to multiply. Dogs have a great sense of smell, so when there could potentially be a great mixture of water, ammonia, potassium, nicotinic acid, magnesium, chloride, sodium, creatinine, uric acid, ascorbic acid, thiamine and riboflavin (also known as sweat) and then a whole host of different bacteria, why wouldn’t your dog have a lick and see what they could find? Dog’s explore their world through smell and sight. Maybe they’re just drawn to the smelliest part of the human body? (we’re not saying you have smelly feet, they can just find more information there). Why do dogs lick the air? Whilst dogs do explore their world through smell, and smell contributes massively to taste experience, it’s unlikely that when your dog is licking the air, they are trying to “taste” the air. They are more likely, stressed. Licking is a stress behaviour for canines. Notice when your dog is licking the air; what is happening in their environment. Is someone touching them? Has someone new come into the home? Are you near their food? Is someone near their toy? Are kids nearby? Have you made a fuss and touched a certain part of their body? This could indicate pain. It’s important to notice the trigger and also watch for other stress behaviours like; drooling, panting, yawning, pacing, head flicking or turning away from the stressor/trigger. Find the trigger and remove it. Licking is a warning signal; ignorance often leads to escalation. Why do dogs lick their nose? Like we mentioned above, this is most likely a sign of
We see acid reflux rather frequently. It’s usually for a number of reasons and can be a symptom that may end up being more of a problem than anticipated. It’s not a nice thing for doggos to experience and is often telling you something is not quite right and finding out what that is, is paramount. So read on my lovely peeps, resolve your doggo’s blessed reflux. What is acid reflux? Acid reflux in dogs, also known as gastroesophageal reflux, occurs when the acid (chime: mix of acid, salts and bile) from the stomach moves into the oesophagus. It can obviously cause some discomfort and although a symptom in itself (that is not deemed dangerous), it can lead to other issues. Reflux can cause irritation, inflammation and wear on the lining of the oesophagus, leading to possible ulcers. If left for long enough, this can cause narrowing, thinning, or necrosis of the oesophagus. Also a constant regurgitation (a common symptom of acid reflux) can cause vomit to enter a dogs’ lungs and lead to further damage or aspiration pneumonia. Symptoms may be as follows: Bad breath Constipation, diarrhoea and bloating Burping, gagging, or minimal vomiting/regurgitation after a meal Dry cough Wheezing Pain after eating, such as restlessness and hunching over Inactivity or lethargy after meal Loss of appetite Weight loss There are many factors that may cause GERD, and these should be systematically evaluated when creating a treatment plan, aiming to address the reason as opposed to the disease itself. What role does acid play in the gut? Appropriate acid levels in the gut are paramount. HCL is also responsible for breaking down dietary proteins aiding in the absorption of nutrients. Healthy levels of acid (HCL) eliminates bacteria and viruses and prevents the overgrowth of pathogens in the upper GI tract, so hypochlorhydria (low HCL) can be a risk factor for SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), fungal overgrowth, intestinal permeability and possible sensitivities and allergies. Acid in the stomach can be too high but most commonly, is presents as too low, incapable of fully digesting and emptying food into the small intestines, allowing chime to sit in the stomach and allowing regurgitation. There is often the misconception that it’s often too high and therefore must be suppressed by drugs. Research has proven that a lack or suppression of gastric acid (HCL), has been associated with an increase in bone fractures, possible autoimmune disease, impaired absorption of B12, iron and magnesium. Poor gut health and reflux can be linked to allergies, arthritis, autoimmune disease, itching and rashes, fatigue, anxiety, cancer, and so much more. In short, if the gut isn’t functioning at full capacity, then neither is your pet’s health. Why is your dog experiencing acid reflux? Stress is often a low grade release of cortisol that can slow down digestion, creating a bolus of food in the stomach, that can sit around, coming up as regurgitation, rather than emptying into the small intestines in a timely fashion. Poor gut motility sometimes linked to poor food (dry food) or neurological dysfunction. Structural issues can be the cause such as obstruction, a loose dysfunctional lower oesophageal sphincter, hiatal hernia or inflammation caused from disease such as megaesophagus. Food intolerances, sensitivity and allergies can create immune dysfunction and a less hospitable digestive environment. Poor gut microbiota, yeast overgrowth, bacterial overgrowth, SIBO (small intestinal overgrowth), sometimes from antibiotic use. Poor immunity and gut immunity (integrity of the ‘one cell epithelial of the gut’), can cause inflammation and a lower level of acid which can slow down protein digestion and cause regurgitation. Disease such as a liver disease, pancreatitis, IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). Nutritional deficiencies. Being overweight. Conventional Veterinary Approach to Acid Reflux Vet’s often used drugs as an intervention and whilst it might alleviate initial symptoms, it is not a long term solution and implicates longer term issues. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), inhibit the gastric acid production and are amongst the top 10 most commonly prescribed drugs in the world for humans and pets. Pro-kinetic medication is sometimes used to help move food through the digestive system and strengthen the oesophageal sphincter muscles. The above aren’t really successful options long term and most certainly do not address the cause. Whilst inhibitors may give short term relief, a more holistic approach is far more successful than unnaturally suppressing HCL levels. The conventional approach generally believes that acid is overproduced. Whilst this is possible, it is deemed to be the reverse in many circumstances. How Diet and Supplements can Help The gut is the epicentre of immunity and health. If your dog’s digestive system is not working correctly, then nothing else will be. A symptom of acid reflux is telling you there is a dis-ease in the body and something needs to change to rectify it. Determining the reasons why are key. Is the food suitable for your dog? Are you feeding a commercial dry food? Are there nutritional deficiencies? Is there stress? Is the gut functioning properly? Nutrition Looking at suitable diets and food for your pet is essential. A fresh and balanced diet rich in easily digestible proteins, good fats and vegetables (fibre) can help support gut microbiota and stomach acid levels. Home made cooked or raw food are often best in this instance Findings here Processed foods and sugars can cause inflammation in your dog’s stomach, decrease acid levels, triggering acid reflux symptoms. Certain foods can often be an aggravator of reflux, so understanding what might be bothering your dog is essential. If feeding a fresh diet has not worked and you are at a loss. Doing a food sensitivity test can help in removing the culprits. An elimination diet is the best way forward as intolerance and allergy testing can be inconclusive. Low dietary fibre intake is associated with decreased stomach and gut motility and delayed gastric emptying. Low fibre findings are mostly found in humans, but our counterparts experience the same pathogenesis in acid reflux and adding insoluble fibre, may help. Findings here Checking
