Hi Angel. Understand what causes heartburn in your dog. Heartburn, or acid reflux is caused by the acidic fluids in the stomach or intestines reversing their flow up into the esophagus, irritating the mucus lining. According to PetMD, heartburn, "is fairly common in dogs, and may occur at any age, although younger dogs are at greater risk." And Pet Dog Nation warns overweight dogs and dogs with a poor diet are at higher risk as well.
Watch for symptoms of heartburn in your dog. Symptoms of acid reflux in dogs include vomiting, appetite loss, and weight loss. Look for signs of pain when your dog is swallowing. Also look for severe drooling and fever, as these are symptoms your dog may exhibit in case of severe acid reflux. Keep your dog on scheduled mealtimes and don't over feed him, as this can increase heartburn issues.
Seek veterinary advice if your dog has a serious problem with heartburn. Your vet can perform an esophagoscopy, which involves using a small camera to check for damage to the esophagus. Have your vet assess whether or not your dog needs this procedure, which can diagnose more serious problems like tears or tumors in the esophagus and hiatal hernias.
