PUPPY LE PEW


Relief for Gassy Dogs by Dr. Matthew Heller


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any a pet owner has been offended by the intestinal sounds and smells emanating from their favorite canine companion.


How could your cuddly, four-legged friend possibly emit such malodorous vapors? How is it possible that even a small fluffy lapdog can clear a room? But don’t despair; there is hope for a gassy dog.


While Shrek, America’s fa-


vorite green ogre, is often shown breaking wind only to remark, “Better out than in, I always say,” few dog owners likely share his carefree view. People’s responses to a pet’s stench range from embarrassment if company is visiting to a backyard timeout.


Sniffing Out the Source


It helps to take a closer look at the health issues behind the smell: Flatu- lence results from the accumulation of gases in the gastrointestinal tract, but not all such gas is bad. In fact, 99 percent of intestinal gases comprise non-odorous forms, such as hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. Odorous gases—consisting of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and certain protein byproducts— account for the other nauseating 1 percent. So, what is the source of these noxious intestinal gases in a dog? Most have two primary origins:


Aerophagia, or the swallowing of air,


may occur when a dog gulps his food, causing that air to pass rapidly through the intestinal tract, initiating bloating and belching.


24 San Diego Edition The following foods are risky from a flatulence standpoint:


n Low-quality meats or grains that may contain indigestible proteins


n Dairy products, because a dog is unable to metabolize the lactase enzyme


n Vegetables with complex sugars such as potatoes, corn, soybeans and peas


n Excessive amounts of fermentable fiber


n Spoiled food sources, including expired meats and items nosed out from the trash bin


Such common flatulence is benign, although nonethe-


less stinky. Outbreaks may occur as a result of overindul- gence in treats or other rich foods such as greasy table scraps never intended for animals. This type of flatulence is usu- ally short-lived and has an identifiable cause. But if a dog suffers from persistent flatulence, it may indicate a more chronic health problem, so consult a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis. Various conditions that


may produce persistent flatu- lence include food allergies (prompting the gastrointes- tinal tract to react with an immune response); inflamma-


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Bacterial fermentation of not readily digestible foods can occur because dogs are carnivores, meaning they generally do not digest carbohydrates as well. When a dog consumes commercial foods that contain filler carbohydrates and indigestible fibers, they begin to ferment, and anyone within range knows the result. Generally, it takes a day or two for the undigested component to be excreted in the form of flatulence.


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