[Maximus2005]

I am in desperate need of advice.  9 days a go, my brindle boxer Maximus threw up.  Normally this would be a non event, as it is somewhat normal.  However, ever since then he has been dry heaving, gulping, almost like an acid reflux or like he is trying to get something out of his stomach.  Sometimes he is fine, and other times racing around the room, licking, salivating, trying to get outside to eat grass.

I took him to the vet on Friday.  He didn

 

[Allie]

Allie has done what you are describing but it has never last as long.  Usually she eats teh grass and then is fine.  I wish I could help you and tell you something that would help.  My thoughts are with and my fingers are crossed that it is nothing too serious.

 

[Barbs2Ks]

Wish I had some suggestions but don't have any experience with something like that.  Is there any other vets in your area that maybe you can take him to for a second opinion?  Hope he recovers quickly and it is nothing serious.

 

[Maximus2005]

Bump

 

[JeepKuntry]

Charlie went through a time when he would vomit about 2 hours or so after he ate.  After a couple of days he quit drinking also.  He spent about a week in the vets office, and they tested alot of things.  If money isn't an object, do a dye test to see if his esophogus is fine.  Larger breed dogs can have issues where the esophogus sways, thus some food is never making it into the stomach.

 

[sharonL]

I would either opt for the dye test or for an ultrasound.  It is sometimes possible to miss an obstruction with a plain x-ray because there can be shadows on it that could be taken as air or gas.  I would opt for an ultrasound.

When he vomits does it smell like poop?  This is also an indication of a blockage.  They generally will not get really sick feeling until they are feeling really bad.  Especially with boxers because I think they have a high pain tolerance.

It could be as simple as acid reflux and the tagament would help with that....It could be an allergy to something in his food.

I am not real sure on the bully.  My understanding is they are made to be able to digest but anything swallowed whole could be an issue so when I give my dog a bully I take it away when it gets down smaller in size.....

There could be residual piece of the blanket because to puke a 5 foot section could certainly cause irritation to the throat or any where in between...

It gets costly when you or your vet are guessing at what it could be....I know!  

When you say he poops is it a normal amount or does he seem to go less or take him longer to go?

 

[Maximus2005]

I opted for the exploratory surgery and the vet just called and they found no obstruction.  He did say that that stomach was "abnormally distended"  which he went on to define as "enlarged".  The vet took a biopsy tand said we will see what the results say on Friday before we plot our next course of action.

It was not twisted, just distended.  I don't think he meant the "full with Gas" distention but more like enlarged.

Could this result from overeating kibble and then drinking water(which expands the Kibble in his stomach?

He is staying overnight.  

Has anyone's boxer gone through this?

 

[mylittledeers]

Poor Maximus and poor you too!! Is it possible the 5' piece of blanket enlarged/irritated his stomach?? (geez the things these dogs will eat  8O ) Hope the vet finds something and Maximus feels better soon! btw, congrats on the new baby  

 

[TamiNChance]

wow what a time you guys are having....first let me say congrats on the new baby!!! Next, our prayers will be with you and maximus during this time. I hope and pray that everything comes back fine and he recoups great. Keep us updated

 

[sharonL]

Many theories exist about why this scenario develops. One theory involves large chested dogs eating large quantities of food (particularly dry food), eating fast and ingesting air, then drinking large quantities of water, and then exercising. Generally with an enlarged stomach there is a reason for the enlargement that can either be this type of situation, it can also be a cancer type situation, a slight situation of bloat that has not expanded to a twist or flip in the stomach....It can also be a genetic defect....Hope he feels better soon though and glad you caught it.....Did the vet say everything looked okay with the spleen??

 

[PhoenixsMom]

Sorry to hear about Maximus not doing so good. Hope they find out the cause of the problem and he can get on the road to recovery!
Keep us posted on what happens with the results.

 

[owenowlsnest]

My 2 cents.  Has Maximus been on any antibiotics recently?  Thickening of the stomach might mean a gastric ulcer.  Eating odd stuff may be because of the nausea that would also be there with an ulcer.  Have they mentioned an endoscopy procedure first?  That would look at the esophagus, and the stomach.  It would visualize an ulcer, gastritis, and get an idea about helicobactor.  Biopsies taken through the scope could also rule out cancer.  From there you might go to a barium study that might help diagnose a possible motility problem.

An endoscopy by a board certified radiologist, or Internist might be a first step at around $1,200.  With exploratory we had our dog on the table for 5 hours, and the cost was off the charts.  Nothing was found we didn't already know with previous tests.

 

[GabysDaddy]

Aawww, poor Max, so sorry to hear he is going through all this, I sure hope a solution comes up for the little guy soon....Gaby sends some boxer kisses for him!

 

[Maximus2005]

Just to clarify.....The blanket episode was about two years ago.  I was just making the comparison to how he is acting now versus then.  I believe that was a mutually exclusive event.  

Thank you all for your thoughts and well wishes.

I guess I will have to wait for the biopsy and cross my fingers that they find a cause.  My vet won't say what he thinks until the results come in but he did say that one of the possibilities could be treated with cortisone.

I am hoping that it was caused by over eating because he is on Eagle Pack kibble, and does drink water shortly after eating.  That is going to change.   I am hoping that the two days he has been in the hospital with only an IV and a couple days of boiled chicken and rice, will give his stomach some time to relax.

He poops some what normal, in fact the vet said he had pooped a little when they took him out of the kennel this morning.    It just hurts to not know what is going on.  Last night was so hard for my wife and I to go to sleep without him there.

I will update as soon as I know anything.  THe vet said if he keeps down his water today, we can pick him up around 4:00.

 

[Maximus2005]

Just received the results from the biopsy.  Max was diagnosed with MILD eosinophilic Gastritis.  I guess there is still alot of uncertainty about what the root cause is for this type of Gastritis, but the vet is going to start him on a prescription diet(Lo-Residue?) and cortisone as soon as his staples come out from the exploratory/biopsy.

Anyone have any experience with this?  How affective is this treatment? I guess it can be IBD, but would love to know the root cause for sure.  His is still licking/swallowing/dry heaving.  Mostly just licking and swallowing though.  Worst episodes are at night.

Any input would be much appreciated.

 

[PradazPurdy]

I don't have any experience w/gastritis... but I pray that you get it under control. Poor guy. I hope he starts feeling better soon. At least you're getting somewhere... knowing what your pup has is half the battle.

 

[Barbs2Ks]

I hope that it is easily managed with the right food and medications.  Sending you healing vibes>>>>>>>>>>>from Kiah and me.

 

[owenowlsnest]

Did they biopsy the large and small intestine also?  That would give you an idea if their is also eosinophilic inflammatory bowl disease that goes along with it.  The eosinophilic and lymphoplasmacytic IBD was treated with switching to a novel protein.  The mild lymphoplasmacytic gastritis was managed with Zantac, and adding Sulcrafate if my dog was put on an antibiotic (rough on the stomach).  We fed something about six times a day, so his belly was never empty.

You should see good improvement once he recovers from the exploratory.  I know stess can sometimes contribute, but telling a Boxer to chill does not work often.  So glad you got to the bottom of it, gastritis can be very painful, and cause nausea.  My dog would forage, and eat almost anything if he was nauseated.  That might have been part of the problem.

Ann WI
Adidas-Boxer (3/98-10/07)
IBD,pancreatitis,gastritis,prostate tumor,DIC

 

[sharonL]

Generally a male dog is predisposed to this condition, and also older dogs are most affected. Eosinophilic gastritis is more of the uncommon gastritis noted... .  It causes eosinophilic infiltration and granulation of the gastric wall (thickened stomach walls). Eosinophilia in a vomiting animal is strongly suggestive of eosinophilic gastritis or eosinophilic gastroenteritis. The cause is actually unknown to be linked to a "certain thing" but has always been suspected that it is  either being exposed to allergens in the diet.

The treatment is generally just what you said a food change and steroid therapy, it generally is also a continued longterm thing.