Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: Dogs and Heartburn - How Your Dog May Be Suffering

It is possible for your dog to suffer from
heartburn, with the causes being much the same as
for humans.

Heartburn is cause by a a sphincter muscle
located between the esophagus and the stomach.
Certain foods and underlying medical conditions
can soften or relax the lower esophageal
sphincter so that it does not close all the way
after food has passed through it to the stomach.

This causes stomach acid to come back through the
sphincter leading to burning and irritation to
the dog's esophagus.

What are the symptoms?

A canine with heartburn will exhibit signs and
symptoms of vomiting, loss of appetite, and
decreasing weight. Other symptoms include pain,
drooling, and fever.

The risks for acid reflux include dogs who are
obese and receiving poor nutrition. Younger dogs
are more susceptible to heartburn than older
dogs. Table food is not recommended. Food that is
specifically formulated for your pet is what
should be given.

In addition, portion sizes and how often your dog
is fed are dependent upon your pet's age and
size. Do not over feed as this will only
exacerbate the acid reflux.

Treatment:

Over the counter solutions such as pepcid AC,
zantac and reglan can be used to treat your dog's
problem.

In cases where your canine has developed an
ulcer, Carafate is the preferred treatment.
Carafate will adhere to the ulcer area and act a
protective patch.

You should talk to your vet before going ahead
with any treatment as they can advise you on the
recommended dosages.

Natural remedies:

A natural treatment you can use for canine
heartburn is slippery elm and marshmallow herbs
which help sooth the throat. Small doses of
tumeric can also be of benefit.

Prevention:

Preventing canine heartburn involves carefully
controlling their diet so that they don't eat
rich foods which they may have difficulty
digesting. Make sure they are well exercised and
their weight does not become a problem.

----------------------------------------------------
Jared Wright is the marketing manager of
Clivir.com - the free learning community site.
You can learn more about health topics such as
causes of heartburn and heartburn home remedy by
clicking the links:
http://www.clivir.com/classrooms/show/causes-of-he
artburn-indigestion-symptoms-home-remedies.html
http://www.clivir.com/lessons/show/heartburn-home-
remedy-baking-soda.html

EasyPublish this article: http://submityourarticle.com/articles/easypublish.php?art_id=88045

>