Expert: Susan R Griffin - 11/3/2011

Question
I was told by my vet to get Pepcid AC for my dog's stomach since my dog is constantly retching, vomiting & trying to vomit, bringing up clear frothy fluid.

Because of my dog's age 12 (Chihuahua), I feel I have to cut back on people food. My dogs loves turkey bacon, lunchmeats (turkey, ham, chicken & roast beef). Also, once in a while, I would give my dog a finger tip of cream from my cake that I'm eating. Is any of those food is causing my dog's upset stomach?

Anyhow, the main concern is about generic brand's inactive ingredients. The original strength Pepcid AC at this local store wanted $10 bucks. So, I opt for generic brand which has same active ingredient that Pepcid AC has. This generic brand is called Top Care Acid Reducer from Giant Eagle store. However, I noticed some inactive ingredients with generic brand are little bit different and can't find any source online to confirm if it's safe for my dog to take.

Can you please confirm if Top Care's inactive ingredients are safe for my dog?

Top Care's inactive ingredients are carnauba wax, hypromellose, iron oxides, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, talc, titanium dioxide, triacetin.

If you need to compare, Pepcid AC's inactive ingredients are hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, red iron oxide, starch, talc and titanium dioxide.

Thank you!

Answer
Hello Sean,
You are smart to cut back on lunch meats and things like icing, but if you could find a balanced, frozen raw food diet such as North West Naturals or B.A.R.F. among others, to ad to his diet, it would help him. Barring finding a raw diet, he would benefit from a natural, grain free diet.
Instead of putting chemicals into his stomach, find a quality enzyme and pro-biotic formula such as Seameal from Solid Gold, iFlora from Sedona Pure Pets (an outstanding formula), or any of a number of products available on line or in a naturally oriented store near you. A quality food and supplement may cost more than grocery store dog food and generic drugs, but the money you will save by never seeing a vet again and the joy you will get from seeing your dear friend happy and healthy will be so very worth it and probably save you money over the rest of his life time as well.

Also, if he is on any internal vet prescriptions and/or spot on the back flea treatments, discontinue them because the toxic effects can make his stomach problems even worse.

If you have any more questions, feel free to call me at my shop 727-327-2356 or my office 727-327-8769. I do have lots more to tell you.

Take care,
Sue