Did you know your dog can have acid reflux? Like humans, dogs are also susceptible to indigestion and other stomach problems that result in acid reflux. If you’ve ever had acid reflux before, you know that it can be uncomfortable, painful, and even result in vomiting.
Let’s discuss what dog acid reflux looks like, how it’s treated, and lifestyle changes that may help your dog avoid this uncomfortable affliction.
What Is Canine Acid Reflux?
Dog acid reflux is very similar to acid reflux in humans. It happens when intestinal or gastric fluids come up from the stomach and flow into the esophagus. These fluids can cause inflammation, irritation, and even damage to the esophageal lining.
Typically, these fluids would be unable to reach the esophagus because of the sphincter, which is a muscle opening located at the base of the esophagus. The sphincter in a healthy dog prevents these stomach fluids from coming up. However, in a dog suffering from acid reflux the sphincter muscle relaxes and allows the intestinal fluids to reach the esophagus which can result in a variety of bad side effects and discomfort.
Typically, the dog will vomit the contents of their stomach once the fluids have reached their esophagus. This is even more prevalent in brachycephalic breeds, who have much shorter esophaguses than other dog breeds.
Acid reflux in dogs is also known as gastroesophageal reflux and can be a sign of a greater gastrointestinal tract issue….
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