[Gpdd] HEALTH: gas buildup

[Cindy]

Tumbleweed has had gas troubles for quite a long time, and we are 
mystified.  Even our vets (two of them, at two different practices) are 
mystified.  I had thought he was much better, but a couple of weeks ago 
he began squeaking when doing his business, so we went in for an exam 
and X-ray.  Fortunately there were no bladder stones, but the X-ray 
showed a lot of gas. 

We thought the small slice of cucumber he gets each day might be a 
problem, but he hasn't had cucumber in almost two weeks, and, if 
anything, he is having more troubles.  We switched from green-leaf 
lettuce to romaine, just in case, and we reduced the amount he gets, and 
still no improvement.  He loves rolled oats (uncooked oatmeal), but we 
eliminated that, too.  Again, no help.

We don't feed broccoli, cauliflower, or cabbage, as we know those can 
cause gas.  Mostly each day he gets (all in small amounts -- the apple, 
for example, is postage-stamp sized), romaine, carrot, apple, turnip 
root (not the turnip greens), and red bell pepper.  Of course, he has 
timothy-hay pellets as well as timothy hay, and sometimes orchard grass.

He gets tummy rubs two or three times a day as well.  We do have Reglan 
and Cisapride and use them occasionally, though they have not been a lot 
of help recently.  In addition, the infant simethicone drops have not 
been helping.

He doesn't seem to be impacted, but we are not sure if he could be 
constipated.  He does seem to produce a normal amount of poops, although 
sometimes two or three poops will try to come out at once.  Other than 
his squeaking, he is a very happy boy.  He loves his hay, will race to 
see what food he is getting, and has floortime each day.  He is active, 
alert, and in good spirits.

Oh, I should say that Friday gets the same foods and has never had any 
gas problems. 

Any ideas?  We are at a loss.  Thanks so much.

Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday