My golden retriever has a lot of gas, or flatus. It is very loud and malodorous. She eats dry food and some cooked chicken. Could you give us any advice?
The formation of intestinal gas, or flatus, is a normal physiologic process. Formation of excessive amounts can distend the bowel and cause discomfort. Although frequent or chronic flatus in dogs may be a sign of an underlying disease process, in most instances it is a consequence of bacterial fermentation of ingested food components or swallowed air.
Medical conditions that may produce excess, persistent flatus include viral and parasitic infection, tumors and inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Certain diseases of the pancreas can cause this as well. Dogs with a deficiency of lactase, an enzyme that breaks down milk sugar, may experience flatulence if fed milk or dairy products. You should consult your veterinarian about your dog's problem to rule out an underlying disease.
Most of the gas is composed of simple organic and inorganic molecules that make little or no contribution to the odor. Specific substances, including hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, short chain fatty acids, and some other molecules, although constituting only one percent of the gas formation, are responsible for the bad smell. The quantity of gas formed and the actual chemical composition is a function of the type and number of bacteria fermenting food.
Some diets high in legumes, such as soybean meal, or high in fat and protein produce gaseousness. Some carbohydrates and fibers do this also. These foods may have indigestible components that intestinal bacteria ferment, producing gas in the process. Please speak with your veterinarian about alternative dietary choices for your dog. A diet that is more highly digestible may produce less gas and less flatulence. Fortunately, this is rarely a serious problem.
Flatus also may occur due to swallowing air when eating. This occurs when the dog is nervous or excessively competes for food with other dogs. In such cases the affected dog should be allowed to eat alone and undisturbed. If nervousness persists, medication or consultation with a behavioral specialist may be appropriate.
There are two types of medication for people that might be useful in limiting flatus formation in dogs. One type limits foaming (gas formation in the bowel). The other type is a digestive enzyme pill. Your doctor may have had successful experience using one or both of these preparations in dogs. These medications are not uniformly recommended by all veterinarians, but may be useful in some situations.
10/20/00
