(From Pet Talk)

Tummy Troubles Can Be Serious

If your tummy aches and you feel sick as a dog, remember that Rover can feel the same way, too.

Dr. Brandy Porterpan, a veterinarian at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University, says stomach pains can often lead to serious problems.

Porterpan says the most common intestinal ailments affecting dogs are acute stomachaches and anal sac disease.

"Acute stomachaches are usually the result of your dog getting into the garbage, eating spoiled food or ingesting foreign bodies," says Porterpan.  "If your dog has an acute stomachache, he may vomit but it usually only lasts 24 hours.

"Another common ailment is anal sac disease," she adds.

"It's amazing how many phone calls we get about dogs scooting on their rear ends and having discomfort."  If this is not treated, it can rupture and form an abscess, which can be very painful for your pet, says Porterpan.  Smaller breed like poodles and Yorkshire terriers are predisposed to this disease.

She says that some of the most serious intestinal ailments are bad gastric ulcers and pancreatitis.  To prevent these serious diseases, owners should not overmedicate their pets and avoid feeding them fatty or spicy meals.

"A symptom of pancreatitis is when a dog assumes a 'prayer position' which is when he sits down with his front legs out and sticks his rear end in the air," says Porterpan.  "The prayer position is a sign of severe abdominal pain."

Another serious intestinal ailment, which is common in large breed dogs, is gastric dilationvolvulus (GDV) or bloating.

"Some of the causes are eating too fast, eating only once a day, sucking in a lot of air while eating (usually after exercising) or feeding your dog from an elevated bowl," she says.  If a dog owner sees bloating in a large breed dog, he or she should take it to a veterinarian's office immediately, she stresses.

Porterpan says prevention is important because these ailments can often be painful.

"Owners should feed their dog well-balanced and fully cooked diets, make sure they are well-vaccinated and try to limit hunting of rodents," she advises.  "Dog owners should also avoid feeding their pet too much to prevent obesity, which can result in a wide range of problems."

When does your pet need medical attention?  "Anytime a dog is feeling poorly enough that he doesn't want to get up and do his normal activities, he needs to see a doctor," says Porterpan.

"Smaller animals, especially puppies, should be seen right away."

Pet owners should also be aware of the susceptibility of puppies to an array of intestinal problems including parasites, she notes.  "We suggest that dogs get dewormed as early as three weeks of age," says Porterpan.

She adds that Rover will be a much happier dog if he doesn't have a stomachache.  "A well-balanced diet and attention to your dog's behavior will go a long way to prevent an intestinal problem," she adds.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University.

A note from bordercolliesrule.com:  FYI for the first time Border Collie owner.....Please make sure your Border Collie is at least 10 months old before starting any high impact activity.  Just walking your dog daily is not enough for the adult Border Collie.  They need to run until they're panting heavily.  But please be conscientious of the weather and their joints.  Dogs get hotter faster than we do so 2-3 short play times a day is better and healthier for your dog than 1 long play time.  Of course in cool/cold weather they can play longer but if there's ice on the ground, be careful they don't cut their paws/pads.  And please make sure they get plenty of clean, fresh water daily.

Border Collies also need to be worked just as much, if not more, mentally as well as physically.  Try to teach your BC something new each week and incorporate it into your daily routine.  Not only will your BC bond with you more, your friends will be very impressed.