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Sudden increase in grass eating

Posted: 03 Apr 2021, 18:32
by CarolinaT
My 12.5 year old pup with EPI has suddenly started eating grass on every walk. I am not sure if I should increase her B12 or enzymes. She has grass in her stool. I'm thinking she wants to make herself throw up. Do any EPI dog owners get regular edemas for their pups? She was so backed up before I started treating her for EPI last year. I guess I am worried that she may be backed up again or have some other digestive issue. Thanks in advance for any guidance on whether there is a connection between grass eating and EPI treatment.

Carolyn

Re: Sudden increase in grass eating

Posted: 03 Apr 2021, 20:50
by jilbert57
Hi Carolyn,
How often is she pooping?. I had a JRT who ate grass like a cow and not when he was sick. Are you noticing sloppy stools, gas rumblings?
Jill

Re: Sudden increase in grass eating

Posted: 09 Apr 2021, 00:10
by CarolinaT
Thanks, Jill. Her stools do not look as firm as they used to be. I believe this has coincided with her grass eating. I am thinking about increasing her B12 and maybe then her enzymes if the B12 increase doesn't help. I've read on this forum that dogs can sometimes dip back into major EPI systems after everything has been going fine. I don't hear much grumbling. I don't currently give her Tylan.

She is on one heaping teaspoon of 8x Pantenex per cup of Royal Canin GI moderate calorie kibble and Wonderlabs B12.

Carolyn

Re: Sudden increase in grass eating

Posted: 09 Apr 2021, 07:22
by Patsy
Do you mean enema, not edema? In which case, I’ve never read of an epi dog needing one, usually quite the opposite! Mine only eat grass to throw up. There must be discomfort, so maybe a vet can tell you whether you need an antacid or antibiotic? If you’ve never had a problem with the enzyme dose, I wouldn’t tweak it or the B12. Maybe slippery elm could help, but that is just a guess, which won’t help the vets diagnosis.

Re: Sudden increase in grass eating

Posted: 09 Apr 2021, 09:03
by jilbert57
Hi Carolyn, a couple things to mention for you to try if things don't come back.

The RC GI contains grains which most Epi animals can't have. You could switch to a grain free kibble with 4% fiber or less. Please make sure peas, lentils, pea flour and legumes are not there or if they are at the lowest amount. Most grains seem to interfere with the effiicacy of the enzymes.

The 8x enzymes are stronger and starting point for those is 3/4 teaspoon enzyme per 1 cup kibble. So I might say DECREASE enzymes by a tad and see if that helps.

If you choose to increase the B12 and it works please keep the other 2 suggestions in mind.

Patsy has some great points.

Jill

Re: Sudden increase in grass eating

Posted: 10 Apr 2021, 01:29
by CarolinaT
Thank you for these tips. I will talk with the vet and explore alternative food options.

Re: Sudden increase in grass eating

Posted: 10 Apr 2021, 22:48
by Olesia711
another tidbit......

in the springtime.... sometimes some dogs just naturally eat a lot of new fresh grass.... just because.... and not because there is a problem
But of course, most of the time, when they eat grass, they do do it cause (we think) their tummy hurts and they are trying to feel better ................

just wanted to throw this out there in case it is jsut new fresh springtime grass.... and if you are not seeing any other indication that it could be tummy not feeling good issue.............

Re: Sudden increase in grass eating

Posted: 19 Apr 2021, 14:07
by Madelon
My non-EPI dog constantly eats grass - I guess it's got something her body needs but she has perfect poop. Every now and then I'll catch my EPI boy eating grass for no apparent reason.

Re: Sudden increase in grass eating

Posted: 19 Apr 2021, 14:47
by Barb
Our Kolby wanted to eat the DIRT under the grass. We only have grass in the front of our house, stone in the back.....but he would always go looking for the patch of grass that sprung up between the stones and then shake the dirt off so he could eat it. If we went to the front of the house to get the paper or the mail (which he loved to carry), he would grab the biggest patch of grass and start eating the dirt under it. I know there was either something missing for him in his diet or his tummy was uncomfortable. We never found out what it was. If only they could talk.

Barb