Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone else SUFFER w/ this ongoing problem? My little one is 2 years old now, 5 lbs, and it's so sad to see her have issues w/ this about once a week!

I've been thru a lot w/ my vet w/ her. We did a food trial last summer, and they ended up putting her on Science Diet ZD Ultra, saying they thot her to be wheat/gluten allergic. Also, the ONLY treats I give her are wheat/gluten free as well.

It's so sad, b/c she's had to give up so much. She used to eat Greenies, Dingo's to give her something to chew/teeth health, and now she can't have ANY of that. She can't really have much of ANYTHING. Not even carrots, apples, or edamame beans anymore - her FAVE!

I tried PLAIN yogurt w/ her this week, to try and get that into her diet and help build the "good" bacteria in her G.I. tract - a no go, it also gave her the "tummy gurgles". Now I'm thinking she's also "lactose intolerant" - geez!???

She has the t-gurgles about 2-3 times/month, which sux, b/c it's usually a day of pooping, followed by a day of not eating. I feel so bad for her.

She's going to the vet next week for her 2 year check-up, and I'm going to talk to the vet about putting her on Pepcid for doggies??? Another dog mom was talking to me about her small dog, who has EXACT simptoms to mine, and she was telling me after many trials/tribulations, it's the one thing that has worked.

Anyone know about Pepcid as a treatment, or have any idea's as to what I can further do for my little one? I realize that small dogs have G.I. issues, but this is just ridiculous, she's in pain - I can tell from her shaking and LOUD tummy sounds.

Thanks so much!
-Kerrie

unfortunately many undersized dogs in the toy group can suffer problems. As this one is undersize these things can and generally do happen. Upset stomach can be treated with pepto but a blood work up would be best to be sure the dog is not showing any other problems.
Pins should be to standard size 10 to 12 /1/2 inches with approx 1 inch per inch in height at the shoulders. Breeding to standard helps eliminate many of these type of problems. Good luck..

Thanks for the info, altho I can attest to the fact that she was indeed supposed to be 10lbs, she was not "bred down". She's not a "toy" by breeding, that's just as big as she got. She was the runt of the litter.

I visited with the breeder beforehand in my research of entertaining the idea of a Min Pin. Her father is 8lbs, and her mother over 10lbs. I kept expecting her to grow beyond the 5lbs, she just never did.

However, I am happy to report that she has filled out some due to a change we've made to her food. She is now on a diff vet prescribed food of venison and potato. I think her problems were related to chicken/corn based products. She was previously on Science Diet, but we have switched, and thus far she's been doing really well.

A friend of mine has a pug with similar sensitivities to food and changes in her diet. She is intolerant to chicken, beef, corn, wheat, and a few other things I can't remember. They use a fish based diet with her- Go! Natural Salmon and oatmeal.

She also used probiotic pills you can get at the drug store instead of yougart for the "good" bacteria gut load.

On occation she uses Pepsid, but tries to limit the amount needed. Pepsid is a way of relieving the symptoms, but she wants ot prevent the symptoms in the first place. Oh, and for treats, she's been fairly creative and make "jerky" out of the canned version of her dog's kibble in the microwave.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

Thanks for the reply. Yes, her new diet of venison and potato prescrip based food seems to be serving her really well. I've never seen her coat look better, or her tummy fill out so well. She seems like a much happier lil' Pin.

And I know her body is processing the food appropriately, b/c man, has she b/c quite the regular lil' pooper! ha And it's always the "normal" poops, if you know what I mean. No more weird, discolored poops!

So, fingers crossed I've finally weeded out all of the food ingredients that upset her delicate tummy.

Kuddo's to your friend on the jerky, that's pretty awesome! I'd like to know how she does that! I used to make my own dog biscuits, but hence all the cornmeal in them, can't really make those for her anymore.

Right now her biscuit "treat" is a biscuit made by the same makers as her food, but it would be fun to make the jerky. I have to ask, is it chewy, and keeps them occupied for at least a few moments? (I miss the Greenies and Dingo rawhide days, b/c she used to sit there for at least an hour and keep herself occupied w/ that.)

Thanks again!

There are some deer antler dog chews that are sold in hunting stores in my area. I bet you could find them online for your dog to chew.

The "jerky" my friend makes from canned food is chewy, but can't hold up to aggressive chewing. Her pug is a nibbler not a chewer so it works for her- would not for my dogs. I use bully sticks for my dogs and dehydrated fish skins. I also have access to horse hoof trimmings at the stable I ride at and my dogs love those. Do you have any horse friends?
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

Oh, she's tiny, so she's not too much of an agressive chewer. ha She's only 5 lbs, so I think antlers and hooves (do I hear dueling banjos? lol) would be way too big for her.

I talked to the vet the other day, and he said since her problems have been solved w/ the new food, I could try her on Greenies again, and her system may be alright. But I have to give her 2-3 times the amount, to see if she has any reactions, which is hard, b/c she is small. So, she prob wouldn't even eat more than 2 Teenie Greenies - but I shall give it a shot, b/c she used to LOVE them! And I miss her having good doggie breath! :-|

Thanks for the suggestions!

-K.