How to Treat Heartburn for Dogs
When your pet is distressed it's always upsetting. If your dog has heartburn, also known as acid reflux, he may be very uncomfortable. However, by understanding the symptoms you can treat heartburn for dogs, giving your pet some much needed relief.
Instructions
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Diagnosing and Treating Your Dog for Heartburn
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Understand what causes heartburn in your dog. Heartburn, or acid reflux is caused by the acidic fluids in the stomach or intestines reversing their flow up into the esophagus, irritating the mucus lining. According to PetMD, heartburn, "is fairly common in dogs, and may occur at any age, although younger dogs are at greater risk." And Pet Dog Nation warns overweight dogs and dogs with a poor diet are at higher risk as well.
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Watch for symptoms of heartburn in your dog. Symptoms of acid reflux in dogs include vomiting, appetite loss, and weight loss. Look for signs of pain when your dog is swallowing. Also look for severe drooling and fever, as these are symptoms your dog may exhibit in case of severe acid reflux. Keep your dog on scheduled mealtimes and don't over feed him, as this can increase heartburn issues.
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Treat your dog with antacids. Check the dosage levels by weight. Crush the antacid tablets with the back of a spoon and mix the powder into wet food. If your dog is picky, try mixing the powder into unseasoned meat or hard-boiled eggs. Try having your dog fast for a day or two. This can reduce the inflammation of the esophagus.
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Seek veterinary advice if your dog has a serious problem with heartburn. Your vet can perform an esophagoscopy, which involves using a small camera to check for damage to the esophagus. Have your vet assess whether or not your dog needs this procedure, which can diagnose more serious problems like tears or tumors in the esophagus and hiatal hernias.
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Tips & Warnings
Always consult a veterinarian if your dog has health problems. Symptoms could be early signs of a serious health problem.
