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Treatment

If there is no serious underlying disease present, your doctor will decide on an appropriate line of treatment based on the symptoms. Drugs to enhance gastric motility will be used to overcome delayed emptying of stomach, increase stomach and gut motility and thus prevent reflux. Also, drugs that will decrease acid secretion in the stomach can be used to prevent damage to the stomach wall due to the increased acidic contents of the bile.

Most patients respond well to such treatment; the length of time your dog is going to need medication will depend on its individual response. Some animals respond quickly to the treatment, while others need a longer course of medication. If your dog is suffering chronic bilious vomiting, dietary management will be a very important component of treatment, usually involving feeding small, frequent meals, especially late at night. Preventing the stomach from being empty for long periods of time will help to increase normal stomach motility. Diets low in fat and fiber content will also help the stomach to empty and reduce gastric retention of food.

Your veterinarian may also suggest canned or liquefied diets, which also can be helpful in such patients because solid food tend to stay longer in the stomach.

Living and Management

The prognosis is excellent for most animals, as they generally respond well to dietary changes and medications.