What is  canine stomach problems ? I got  good source to answer it

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My six year old 75lb mix hunting breed dog has been sick on and off for the past three-four weeks. The last two bouts he was drooling, refused to eat, barely drank, was uncomfortable when laying down and straining. He was lethargic and walked with short strides in his hind end. Both times at the vet he had over night stays for a few days to be hydrated and antibiotics. X-rays showed he had a possible blockage in his lower stomach to intestine. The second visit was the same and he stayed longer until the blockage was not present in the x rays and when he came home he strained while passing a bowel and seemed to clear the blockage. The vet advised on both visits that he had alot of abdominal pain on palpation. Two weeks he has been fine and now is showing the similar signs again. We are keeping him hydrated, giving him pepto which the vet recommended last time to calm his stomach. This seems to help and he is eating however, not normal amounts but eating this time. I have noticed he had a small lump on his stomach just below where his rib cage connects in the center. This was prevelant on the other occassions as well. I have been massaging the area which seems to help and he likes this. Is there something we might be missing in diagnosis? My only other thought is that he is either eating the mulch which is new to his environment – however I have been careful to moniter him since the visits. He is a very excited and active dog and it seems to occur after he becomes too excited like when he sees the neighbors dogs outside. Could he have a hernia? Please help? I have spent alot of money thus far and can’t afford to have this keep happening with out finding out the problem.

and the answer ?

During the episodes when he is ill, do you see an increase in the size of the “lump”? This may be an umbilical hernia that might be giving him problems. It may have recently increased in size and is allowing intestinal loops to get lodged in the hernia on and off. I’d be surprised if your vet missed that though. How large is this lump?

I’d be very suspicious of him ingesting mulch also. This usually moves through in large dogs, but causes a great deal of abdominal pain while it is moving through the intestines. I’d get rid of it if you can.

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