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I had posted months ago about Chance vomiting up his water and food. It's not a drinking or eating too fast issue anymore. He's now involuntarily throwing up food or water at random times. Sometimes it's just choking like something is stuck sad.gif .

 

I went to NGAP and finally got xrays and bloodwork done. The xrays came back clear and fine, which made me happy. Still waiting on bloodwork. The vet doesn't think it's megaesophagus. His temporary solution is to put him on Reglan b/c he explained that the food/water is not going straight to intestines like it should and some is just sitting there in his belly.

 

I looked up Reglan for humans and dogs and it looks okay. They didn't mention long-term effects for dogs...but for humans they said no more than three months.

 

Is Reglan a temporary fix? If so, then what??? blink.gif

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Yeah, reglan would be temporary. It's for nausea. It won't do anything to help the stomach empty.

 

Here, where such things are cheap, I might be inclined to ultrasound and/or do a barium series.

 

Do you see any improvement if he's fed all wet food (say, canned I/D) vs. kibble?

Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in Illinois
We miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10.

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Yeah, reglan would be temporary. It's for nausea. It won't do anything to help the stomach empty.

 

Here, where such things are cheap, I might be inclined to ultrasound and/or do a barium series.

 

Do you see any improvement if he's fed all wet food (say, canned I/D) vs. kibble?

 

 

An ultrasound of his stomach? I have Trupanion, so hopefully all this would be covered. They pay 90%...

 

I haven't tried an all wet food diet...so then that means no treats/chicken backs/turkey necks, etc? huh.gif He chokes on his water too...so not sure how much wet food will help. I'll keep it in mind though!

 

Thanks Batmom

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Guest K9Cookies

We used Reglan for quite a long time with Bonnie when she was getting chemo. I wasn't aware of any side effects and it really helped her.

 

Sending good thoughts for Chance. :hope

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Guest mcsheltie

Reglan is a anti-emetic and keeps them from vomiting. Obstruction needs to be completely ruled out before it is given and you can not give it to a dog who has a history of seizures.

 

This is just a stop-gap measure while they figure out what is wrong. It can be used long term in dogs. But in humans there are some nasty side affects.

 

I haven't had a chance to read your other thread. Did they rule out Laryngeal paralysis? Choking on food and water fits this. If they have, I would ask about a barium study to see why the stomach isn't emptying properly.

Edited by mcsheltie
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Yes, it is usually a temporary measure. It has both antiemetic & promotility qualities. So as long as there isn't a blockage or obstruction somewhere then this could help. (That's a true obstruction as opposed to psuedo-obstruction. Psuedo- could be helped by metoclopramide(Reglan).

 

While he may be having problems with both dry food & water, it is possible the wet food would work. It would depend on the cause & where the problem is. Is it swallowing? Is it stomach? Is it intestines? My dog who regurgitated kibble & choked on water could eat canned food with minimal problems. He had a lower motor neuron disease. (Not saying this is Chance's problem.) My guy did not have megaesophagus but did have mild LP. He also had intestinal motility problems along with gastroparesis, stomach wasn't emptying properly. BTW, he was a dog who was on metoclopramide for quite a while, like 18 mos.

 

If affordable an ultrasound would be a good idea. In your position I may try an internal medicine specialist next. If that turned up nothing then a barium series may help but it depends a great deal on who is doing it & how they are doing it. I would not discourage someone from doing that if that diagnostic was needed but I'd be darn picky about who/where/how it was done. A dog who is choking on things could aspirate & you do not want a dog aspirating barium. Still, my dog did have it done & had no problems from it.

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Guest hlpnhounds

I'm curious as to what parts of the dog were included in the radiographs ? Did they just do the stomach/abdomen area ? Sounds like some neck/chest rads are in order to see if there is an esphogeal problem.

Just a thought.

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Yes, it is usually a temporary measure. It has both antiemetic & promotility qualities. So as long as there isn't a blockage or obstruction somewhere then this could help. (That's a true obstruction as opposed to psuedo-obstruction. Psuedo- could be helped by metoclopramide(Reglan).

 

While he may be having problems with both dry food & water, it is possible the wet food would work. It would depend on the cause & where the problem is. Is it swallowing? Is it stomach? Is it intestines? My dog who regurgitated kibble & choked on water could eat canned food with minimal problems. He had a lower motor neuron disease. (Not saying this is Chance's problem.) My guy did not have megaesophagus but did have mild LP. He also had intestinal motility problems along with gastroparesis, stomach wasn't emptying properly. BTW, he was a dog who was on metoclopramide for quite a while, like 18 mos.

 

If affordable an ultrasound would be a good idea. In your position I may try an internal medicine specialist next. If that turned up nothing then a barium series may help but it depends a great deal on who is doing it & how they are doing it. I would not discourage someone from doing that if that diagnostic was needed but I'd be darn picky about who/where/how it was done. A dog who is choking on things could aspirate & you do not want a dog aspirating barium. Still, my dog did have it done & had no problems from it.

 

I appreciate all this info and advice...although I admit, 'internal medicine specialist' through me for a loop blink.gif ... Where do I find THAT for a dog??! You also seem to know quite a bit about this, so another question is if this is a condition that can develop later in life (he just turned 4)... It'll be a year at the end of August that I adopted him and he just started this choking stuff a few months ago...and it's just gotten increasingly recently....

 

I'm curious as to what parts of the dog were included in the radiographs ? Did they just do the stomach/abdomen area ? Sounds like some neck/chest rads are in order to see if there is an esphogeal problem.

Just a thought.

 

He had two radiographs done....neck (esophogus) and chest....both clear. He gave me a CD of them..wonder if I can upload those pics!? huh.giflol.gif

Edited by 2ndChance
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Guest MnMDogs

I second the suggestion to see an internal med specialist, and perhaps doing another set of X-rays on the esophagus area. Mara exhibited the symptoms you described (to a much further degree, I'm not trying to freak you out) and had X-rays on a Thursday that looked normal, and a day later showed ME. One of the things my vet asked when trying to rule out diagnoses was if she appeared to be struggling to vomit, or if it "just came up", which could indicate ME.

 

I'll be thinking about you and your boy.

 

ETA: the reglan should help with gastric motility. Cisipride can be used to help tighten the esophageal sphincter once food passes. At least I think that's how it works... We were a bit foggy on this.

Edited by MnMDogs
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One of the things my vet asked when trying to rule out diagnoses was if she appeared to be struggling to vomit, or if it "just came up", which could indicate ME.

 

 

 

 

What if I said it's both issues?? unsure.gif He does struggle to vomit...but a few times (not as many as the struggling ones) it "just came up"...

 

Another xray huh?! Why one day fine and the next not? ...and again, where do I find an internal med specialist for a dog??

 

Thanks for the kind thoughts.... I only browse through this H&M forum b/c I'm scared sh*tless of having problems w/ him. I cry after reading any thread about pups in distress... plus it makes me even more of a hypochondriac than I already am!!

I really hope this isn't anything horrible.

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Don't worry prematurely. Much too early for that. (So says the world's worst worrier.) These symptoms can be caused by many mild things as well. 

 

Here is the website for the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM): http://www.acvim.org

In the upper left section is a link to search for a specialist. Someone with both neurology and internal medicine specialties would be optimal. Otherwise, just find an internal medicine person. Might want to wait for the blood work results. Hopefully all will be in line. 

 

Do you know the difference between vomiting & regurgitating? The mega-e dogs regurg & Dan did a decent amount if that but for a different reason. That is when things usually do not make it to the stomach & after a whole in the esophagus the dogs basically just dip their heads down & plop it onto the floor. The food comes up looking very much like it did going in but usually with foam added. There isn't usually any effort or stomach acids/bile involved. Vonitting we know, the sound, the body motions, etc. What comes up usually looks at least partially digested or is accompanied by bile or stomach acids. Start keeping some notes if you haven't already. Note things like when, what, & in what way things... um, reemerge. ;) was he drinking or eating? How much? How long did it stay down? Does he choke every time he drinks? If not, what percentage of the time?   And be sure to keep copies of his blood work. 

 

FWIW, your brief description sounds like the NGAP vet made a reasonable guess. Does Chance seem uncomfortable of have a smaller appetite? 

 

In the mean time experiment with the consistency of his food. Try smaller, more frequent meals. Take him for an easy ambling walk after meals. That can sometimes help move things along. I don't mean an exercise walk but perhaps not too much ground sniffing since may help to keep his head up as much as you reasonably can. 

 

Also, if I were you I would experiment with the Reglan. You can check with the vet first if you need to but I would do something like try Reglan with your normal routine & see what happens.. Then try one of the above ideas for several meals w/o Reglan. If that helps then it can offer clues. Keep notes on what you try, how long & the results. Do not change more than one variable at a time. Was suggesting trying Reglan first because I would worry Chance is uncomfortable & may feel better with Reglan. Though it can be sedating so some dogs don't react as well to it. 

 

Good luck. Odds are this isn't serious & could go away on it's own. Problem is that a few of the possible probs are best found early. That's why we are suggesting the specialist. 

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Don't worry prematurely. Much too early for that. (So says the world's worst worrier.) These symptoms can be caused by many mild things as well.

 

Here is the website for the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM): http://www.acvim.org

In the upper left section is a link to search for a specialist. Someone with both neurology and internal medicine specialties would be optimal. Otherwise, just find an internal medicine person. Might want to wait for the blood work results. Hopefully all will be in line.

 

Do you know the difference between vomiting & regurgitating? The mega-e dogs regurg & Dan did a decent amount if that but for a different reason. That is when things usually do not make it to the stomach & after a whole in the esophagus the dogs basically just dip their heads down & plop it onto the floor. The food comes up looking very much like it did going in but usually with foam added. There isn't usually any effort or stomach acids/bile involved. Vonitting we know, the sound, the body motions, etc. What comes up usually looks at least partially digested or is accompanied by bile or stomach acids. Start keeping some notes if you haven't already. Note things like when, what, & in what way things... um, reemerge. wink.gif was he drinking or eating? How much? How long did it stay down? Does he choke every time he drinks? If not, what percentage of the time? And be sure to keep copies of his blood work.

 

FWIW, your brief description sounds like the NGAP vet made a reasonable guess. Does Chance seem uncomfortable of have a smaller appetite?

 

In the mean time experiment with the consistency of his food. Try smaller, more frequent meals. Take him for an easy ambling walk after meals. That can sometimes help move things along. I don't mean an exercise walk but perhaps not too much ground sniffing since may help to keep his head up as much as you reasonably can.

 

Also, if I were you I would experiment with the Reglan. You can check with the vet first if you need to but I would do something like try Reglan with your normal routine & see what happens.. Then try one of the above ideas for several meals w/o Reglan. If that helps then it can offer clues. Keep notes on what you try, how long & the results. Do not change more than one variable at a time. Was suggesting trying Reglan first because I would worry Chance is uncomfortable & may feel better with Reglan. Though it can be sedating so some dogs don't react as well to it.

 

Good luck. Odds are this isn't serious & could go away on it's own. Problem is that a few of the possible probs are best found early. That's why we are suggesting the specialist.

 

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to write all that! GREYT advice! I will start to keep a log....

 

Interesting thought about if it's regurgitating or vomiting. He's certainly vomitted grass (after dog park visits) a few times and that has the same description you made. So that makes me say that he's more regurgitating...sometimes he acts like there's something stuck in his throat...other times it just comes up w/out warning..nothing.

 

Got the call and bloodwork is fine. I will have to call NGAP to get the results sent to me, if they aren't on their way already. (odd sidenote: they called my brother...not me. HOW in the world did they get his number?? He wasn't even with me! I'm still perplexed! blink.gif ) So xrays and bloodwork cleared.

 

I think I will try the Reglan like you suggested... and get him to a specialist as soon as I can. I need results and answers....not waiting around while he deals w/ this and I cringe everytime he does it. I've gotten Vet's Choice Holistic Health Extensions dog food and it's very tiny little bites...but maybe I'll try 3 meals a day instead of two. Oh, and then to make things more fun for me, Chance has the Big D all of a sudden. His poop was bad last night & then pretty decent this morning and then two hours later he decided to go in the back seat of my brand new Jeep Liberty!! eek.giflol.gif OMG...so disgusting, but what are you gonna do. I felt so bad for him.... Oh..and it's all in the crevices too! The blanket was on the top of the backseat & not the back of the backseat lol. THAT was greyt fun cleaning rolleyes.gif ! So anyway, tonight is boiled chicken and rice...but I'll try other stuff when he feels better.

 

Again..can't thank you enough.

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I think I will try the Reglan like you suggested...

... more fun for me, Chance has the Big D all of a sudden. His poop was bad last night & then pretty decent this morning and then two hours later he decided to go in the back seat of my brand new Jeep Liberty!! eek.giflol.gif OMG...so disgusting, but what are you gonna do. I felt so bad for him.... Oh..and it's all in the crevices too! The blanket was on the top of the backseat & not the back of the backseat lol. THAT was greyt fun cleaning rolleyes.gif ! So anyway, tonight is boiled chicken and rice...but I'll try other stuff when he feels better.

Eewww! That'll keep unwanted passengers out of your vehicle. Poor you & Chance. A word of warning in this case. (As I do not want you to start cussin' at me instead of the thanks.) Since Reglan can have big D as a possible side effect, you might not want to start it just yet. Although... well, it may or may not be a bad idea. You should get vet's opinion. Personally I would wait. Gee, things just get more more fun at your place. :(

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hahah....don't worry. I think that's sound advice...I'll wait another day or two to see when his poop problems are alleviated. Until then, maybe I can find a specialist and see their opinion.

 

 

* Glad to hear that other ppl have tried Reglan long-term with no ill-effects...if that's my end solution.

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Guest leash

I had posted months ago about Chance vomiting up his water and food. It's not a drinking or eating too fast issue anymore. He's now involuntarily throwing up food or water at random times. Sometimes it's just choking like something is stuck sad.gif .

 

I went to NGAP and finally got xrays and bloodwork done. The xrays came back clear and fine, which made me happy. Still waiting on bloodwork. The vet doesn't think it's megaesophagus. His temporary solution is to put him on Reglan b/c he explained that the food/water is not going straight to intestines like it should and some is just sitting there in his belly.

 

I looked up Reglan for humans and dogs and it looks okay. They didn't mention long-term effects for dogs...but for humans they said no more than three months.

 

Is Reglan a temporary fix? If so, then what??? blink.gif

 

I work for several Law firm in the US and Reglan is a drug that is cause a lot of problems in people. There are many law suits going on right now. Reglan side effects tardive dyskinesia and similar drug induced movement disorders are characterized by rarely reversible symptoms that include random movements in the tongue, lips or jaw as well as facial grimacing, movements of arms, legs, fingers and toes along with swaying movements of the trunk or hip. There is no way I would take this drug or let my dog take this drug. I have seen what it can do to people.

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I had posted months ago about Chance vomiting up his water and food. It's not a drinking or eating too fast issue anymore. He's now involuntarily throwing up food or water at random times. Sometimes it's just choking like something is stuck sad.gif .

 

I went to NGAP and finally got xrays and bloodwork done. The xrays came back clear and fine, which made me happy. Still waiting on bloodwork. The vet doesn't think it's megaesophagus. His temporary solution is to put him on Reglan b/c he explained that the food/water is not going straight to intestines like it should and some is just sitting there in his belly.

 

I looked up Reglan for humans and dogs and it looks okay. They didn't mention long-term effects for dogs...but for humans they said no more than three months.

 

Is Reglan a temporary fix? If so, then what??? blink.gif

 

I work for several Law firm in the US and Reglan is a drug that is cause a lot of problems in people. There are many law suits going on right now. Reglan side effects tardive dyskinesia and similar drug induced movement disorders are characterized by rarely reversible symptoms that include random movements in the tongue, lips or jaw as well as facial grimacing, movements of arms, legs, fingers and toes along with swaying movements of the trunk or hip. There is no way I would take this drug or let my dog take this drug. I have seen what it can do to people.

 

 

oh WOW! okay...maybe I'll see the specialist first before turning to drugs. Not a fan of popping pills anyway...so dont want my furkid too. (of course I'm on 16+ pills right now b/c of the Luke lol.gif ...but when I'm healthy..just vitamins!! blush.gif )

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Have used it for several dogs and one person, no problems or side effects whatsoever. As someone already noted, you do want to make sure there's no obstruction first. Apart from that, it's regarded as a remarkably safe drug in veterinary medicine.

Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in Illinois
We miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10.

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... Reglan is a drug that is cause a lot of problems in people. ...

Reglan side effects tardive dyskinesia and similar drug induced movement disorders ...

There is no way I would take this drug or let my dog take this drug. I have seen what it can do to people.

I understand your feelings. Am not critizing your decision nor trying to minimize the impact on the people this has effected. However, this has been a known issue with Reglan & listed among it's possible adverse effects for years. This is the case with so many other drugs considered highly effective. In the case of Reglan, at least it is a frequently listed side effect.

 

Again, this is not criticism. We all have our reasons. Personally I worry a far, far more about metronidazole(Flagyl) as it can cause a very severe & sometimes irreversible form of peripheral neuropathy. And unlike the Tardive dyskinisia which I have not heard of being reported in dogs , though I certainly could have missed it, the neuropathy is known to happened in dogs. Look Flagyl up on multiple sites & you will find this effect is often not listed. Some symptoms like tingling in feet & hands are but our dogs rarely report those first signs to us. It can happen to any dog & has, though rarely, but imagine the effect this drug had when it was prescribed to my dog already suffering from a neurological problem? The effects were rapid & devastating. Yet my guess is that 10's of 1000's or more dogs have been spared a lot of suffering from this drug I now fear so much. And it was prescribed because we were trying to treat a problem believed to be causing my dog's repeated episodes of bloat. Sometimes you have to pick your poison.

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Guest kydie

any time a drug is used by man or beast a problem can occur,,, fact when a chemical is placed into the body, some sort of side effect is possiable,,, but sometimes to combact health issues,,, it is necessary to take that chance,,, let's see now,,, death or cure,,,, me I'd take the chance on releiving pain, and illness in man or beast

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... Reglan is a drug that is cause a lot of problems in people. ...

Reglan side effects tardive dyskinesia and similar drug induced movement disorders ...

There is no way I would take this drug or let my dog take this drug. I have seen what it can do to people.

I understand your feelings. Am not critizing your decision nor trying to minimize the impact on the people this has effected. However, this has been a known issue with Reglan & listed among it's possible adverse effects for years. This is the case with so many other drugs considered highly effective. In the case of Reglan, at least it is a frequently listed side effect.

 

Again, this is not criticism. We all have our reasons. Personally I worry a far, far more about metronidazole(Flagyl) as it can cause a very severe & sometimes irreversible form of peripheral neuropathy. And unlike the Tardive dyskinisia which I have not heard of being reported in dogs , though I certainly could have missed it, the neuropathy is known to happened in dogs. Look Flagyl up on multiple sites & you will find this effect is often not listed. Some symptoms like tingling in feet & hands are but our dogs rarely report those first signs to us. It can happen to any dog & has, though rarely, but imagine the effect this drug had when it was prescribed to my dog already suffering from a neurological problem? The effects were rapid & devastating. Yet my guess is that 10's of 1000's or more dogs have been spared a lot of suffering from this drug I now fear so much. And it was prescribed because we were trying to treat a problem believed to be causing my dog's repeated episodes of bloat. Sometimes you have to pick your poison.

 

 

To 'Reglan' or not to 'Reglan' that is the question!!lol.gif Ok..maybe not so hysterical, but every pill has it's side-effects.

 

Since this is my thread, I'll hi-jack my own: "I worry, a far, far more about Flagyl!" ...ummmm...do tell more. I had to take this while in the hospital after transplant...think I may have had a parasitic something or other in my urine. It went away...was nothing serious, but I never thought twice about the effects of the Flagyl...more so with the chemo & other 100's of drugs. My tastebuds are still not the same since rolleyes.gif ...was the Flagyl then...could just be the transplant/chemo in general now. Just curious....

 

Back to the real issue, Chance.... I will look for a specialist today after my doc appt, and then take it from there. See if they can recommend it or not over the phone. We shall see. Trying 3 smaller meals today...

 

As always...cant thank you all enough!

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Don't want to jinx this, but I changed Chance's kibble from the Health Extensions that I talked about earlier to TOTW Pacific Stream. High Praire brough soft serve...but TOTW PS is loooooking good...and NO VOMITING, NO CHOKING, NO REGURGITATION!!! ohmy.gif

 

I'm in shock...and very happy. Hope this keeps up. If not...then I'll go to the specialist. I held off b/c the smaller meals helped...but then in general other food helped. The Vets Choice Holistic Health Extensions were little bites...maybe THAT was the problem!!!! That'd be greyt if that's all it was...

 

Can it be true??? Little bites no good...or is it just the ingredients or something not digesting properly???!!! hmmmm.... huh.gif

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Don't want to jinx this, but I changed Chance's kibble from the Health Extensions that I talked about earlier to TOTW Pacific Stream. High Praire brough soft serve...but TOTW PS is loooooking good...and NO VOMITING, NO CHOKING, NO REGURGITATION!!! ohmy.gif

 

I'm in shock...and very happy. Hope this keeps up. If not...then I'll go to the specialist. I held off b/c the smaller meals helped...but then in general other food helped. The Vets Choice Holistic Health Extensions were little bites...maybe THAT was the problem!!!! That'd be greyt if that's all it was...

 

Can it be true??? Little bites no good...or is it just the ingredients or something not digesting properly???!!! hmmmm.... huh.gif

Cool! It is soooooooooooo nice to read good news!

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Can it be true??? Little bites no good...or is it just the ingredients or something not digesting properly???!!! hmmmm.... huh.gif

Could be either one. Just keep a record, go with what works & REJOICE! :)

 

RE: The Flagyl comment. My guy had a neuropathy already. Flagyl can cause neuropathy or neuropathy like symptoms. Bad combo. But it worked on the bloating & he was better for it overall. Lots of chemo meds cause neuro probs so who knows on the taste buds. Or maybe it was the hospital food. :P

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