Shih Tzu's and gas

BDD888 · 11-01-2009, 09:10 AM

Since last night my 12 year old Shih Tzu has been sperodically barking in pain. At first the intervals were once an hour. Then it became more frequent. Was barking all night. He's had gas before. And always got over it. Sometimes it would just last a day. One time 3 days. Gave him one Gas-X Extra Strength tablet. Read it would be okay. But it's not helping him.

Might have to take him to the animal hospital since I don't think my vet will see him at a moment's notice. Could be wrong. Might give them a call.

What I'm wondering is could he have gotten this gas from eating cheap dog food like Purina's Benefil? The first bag was a little greasy (the food). This second bag a lot less so. He used to eat Wellness brand. But got bored of it. Or the flavor he was eating. Thought I could save some money by getting the Purina brand instead. As long as he ate. But maybe this was a bad idea.

On the other hand he has had gas while eating the Wellness brand so the food is probably not it. Maybe all the Greenie cookies and carrots I've been giving him. Been giving him more than usual. Not good I know. Maybe it's gas and indigestion.

MySoulmateEmmy · 11-01-2009, 10:11 AM

you might want to go to the vet, or call one as you were planning on doing. it sounds worrying if he seems in pain, poor guy! how is he now since you posted this thread? its only been about an hour but any difference?

~MSE

**Criosphynx** · 11-01-2009, 11:10 AM

Switching from wellness to beneful will definitely mess him up. Thats like going from meat to cardboard. :P

could also be bloat...he should see a vet asap.

MySoulmateEmmy · 11-01-2009, 12:11 PM

I actually was wondering about possible bloat after posting my thread, but I wasn't sure. I hope the OP's dog is ok.

~MSE

BDD888 · 11-01-2009, 06:09 PM

Hello people,

I'm happy to say he's MUCH better now. It's been maybe 6 hours. Though he's not 100% yet. But close to. Barked maybe twice in 6 hours. Very good.

I ended up calling many "animial hospitals" in Toronto. No luck. All were closed. Unreal!! Even the "emergency hospitals". Except one that wanted $144 CAD to "start" (consultation). INSANE!! Taking advantage of the fact that we dog owners are probably desperate if calling them.

Chose to drive to my dog's vet's office. Online it said they were to be open at noon. "Appointment Only". Decided to chance it any how. When I got there their sign said they are closed on Sunday.

So while I was there I dropped by the Pet Smart (next door). Bought a bottle of "Gas Be Gone" (LOL! Stupid name but catchy...by Century brand). Tablet was big but my dog LOVED it and asked for another. Only gave him one. WORKED!!

Due to his gas (and maybe bloated feeling) he couldn't "stand on 3 legs" to pee. After the pill he has no troubles when I took him for a walk in the park. Kept me up all night. We both didn't get any sleep. The instructions on the small jar of tablets said "1x a day for 10> pound dogs". Might give him another just before he sleeps. Why wait if it works.

As for dog food..while it's easy to assume it's the brand I'm not so sure. As he has has gas while eating Wellenss brand too. I think it has always been my spoiling him with snacks. Giving in. So he'd take the opportunity to ask more. HEHE!! But I just might go buy a bag of Wellness again anyway. As it is supposed to be "better quality". I stopped because he got bored of it. Maybe I can slowly get him back on Wellness.

Take care all.

MySoulmateEmmy · 11-01-2009, 06:16 PM

well that's good that he is better!

i don't like how to just walk into the ER you have to pay a ridiculous amount of money as well

~MSE

**Criosphynx** · 11-01-2009, 06:18 PM

glad hes feeling better, I hear you on the closed vet thing..I have to drive far during off hours/days

Quote:

As it is supposed to be "better quality"

there is no supposed. Beneful is absolutely garbage.

The two products are night and day. Like I said before, meat vs cardboard.

good luck with him, keep us posted.

BDD888 · 11-01-2009, 10:22 PM

Perhaps Chriosphnx is right. There is a reason why the Benefil can be sold for so much less. Costs 1/3 the cost of a bag of Wellness of roughly the same size. And the ingredients are supposed to be better. Trick is to get him to eat it again. Maybe I can start mixing in some Wellness with the Benefil and slowly get him to go back to Wellness totally.

ER costs...as I said...it's INSANE!! Pet expenses are already ridiculous. A typical dental check up for we humans in Toronto is around $65-75.00. Same for a medical check-up. And to charge $144 CAD for a quick glance?? It's a joke. Only we're not laughing.

Odd thing is he last time he got sick in Toronto I think it was a Sunday too. Off hours.

The "Gas Be Gone" pill took an hour to kick in the 2nd time. Gave him one just after 8 as he was barking again between 7-8. Obviously he still has some gas. But this pill does buy him some relief. A few more over time and he should be okay.

Hopefully he won't need to go to the vet. Don't mind spending $ on him if absolutely necessary but not if it's for just a quick 2 minute glance and a vet's anti-gas med prescription.

Will post again later.

**Criosphynx** · 11-01-2009, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the update!

mixing in wet food helps with picky dogs.

BDD888 · 11-02-2009, 08:32 AM

Chriosphynx,

By "wet food" you mean the canned variety with the gravey?

Might work. But then that would cost me more money.

Or perhaps I could just start him on the wet. Though, I went to dry because in the past (had a Pekingese) my first dog would get the gravey on her fur. Might try it though. Will pick up some dry and wet later this morning.

Managed to get some sleep this morning. Both of us. He didn't bark once. Not since last night at around 7-8. A good sign. Though, he's not 100% yet. Did see him do his "cat stretch" (always been a sign of gas and pain was to follow). He's napping now as I type. Snoring away. Good thing.