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Treatment

Your pet probably will not have to be hospitalized unless it has been vomiting very severely and needs immediate fluid therapy. You should work with your veterinarian, letting him or her know if new diets (chosen by your veterinarian) and medications are causing your pet’s disease to improve.

If your dog becomes very dehydrated or begins vomiting severely take it to the veterinary hospital for surveillance and fluid therapy.

Living and Management

You should return with your dog to the veterinarian weekly for complete blood counts, and then return every four to six weeks if your pet is on drugs (i.e., Azathioprine, chlorambucil), which suppress bone marrow (since blood cells are produced in the bone marrow). Diagnostic work-ups should be done with each visit, and another sample of the stomach for analysis at a laboratory should be considered if signs of stomach inflammation decrease, but do not entirely go away.

Be sure not to give any painkillers to your dog on your own, unless your veterinarian has specifically prescribed them and then only as prescribed. Avoid any foods that cause stomach irritation or allergic response in your dog. If you have any questions ask your veterinarian to help you to create a meal plan while your dog is recovering.

In addition, do not let your pet roam freely, as it may eat whatever it wants to eat and will be vulnerable to chemical and environmental toxins and parasites.

Diet Guidelines

(Please note that this list is only a guideline. Consult your veterinarian as necessary and confirm these guidelines before implementing them, as all dogs are different and different diseases need different treatments):

• Do not feed your dog any food for 12 to 24 hours if it is vomiting frequently (water is fine to give)
• Soft, low-fat food ideally from a single carbohydrate and protein source
• Non-fat cottage cheese, skinless white meat chicken, boiled hamburger or tofu as a protein source, and rice, pasta, or potato as a carbohydrate source, in a ratio of 1:3
• Feed frequent, small meals (every four to six hours or more frequently)
• If food allergies are suspected by your veterinarian switch to a new, special diet (containing a different protein source)
• Feed the diet for a minimum of three weeks to see if your pet responds. It often takes longer trial periods of six to eight weeks to see a difference in your pet. Tell your veterinarian if you think your dog is improving or worsening on the diet so that the diet can be adjusted to suit your dog's dietary needs.