Too much stomach acid

[Nancy (Spuddie' s Mum)]

My Chihuahua, Chewie has a real problem when his tummy gets empty. Inspite of getting Pepsid AC (as per instructions from the vet), first thing in the morning, before we even get out of bed he will throw up white foam in his crate. I have been giving him Pepsid and feeding him small meals during the day and this has helped him a lot. In the afternoons he used to eat grass and throw up almost every day so this no longer happens. But, will it have long term effects AND is there any other way to stop it?

[JMM]

When is the last time he eats at night? Maybe a really late biscuit would help with the morning. Also, what about giving him Pepcid last thing before bed instead of chasing it in the morning.

Has he had bloodwork and an exam done recently?

[Nancy (Spuddie' s Mum)]

I actually do give him a dog cookie as he goes to bed, but I think I had better start giving him a Pepsid too then. I also have to be careful how much I feed him as he now as a weight problem, so it's hard to cut him down when his stomach is over producing acid when it's empty - it's kind of a catch 22 situation.

He will soon be due for his vet check up so we will look at options then I guess, but I am wondering what they are?

[JMM]

There are a number of other medications to try and medical problems to address. Things that would come to my mind would be liver disease, kidney disease, Addison's, and thyroid dysfunction.

If he's an older dog, it would be good to do some geriatric bloodwork and a thyroid panel to MI anyways.

Pepcid, Zantac, Prilosec, and other meds can be used in dogs. Some dogs respond better to some meds; however, if there is another cause, don't count on it.