Cause of Dog Vomiting

by Roger
(Livingston, IL, USA)

Our dog won't eat or drink and throws up everything he eats.

Comments for
Cause of Dog Vomiting

Please Clarify Your Cause of Dog Vomiting Question
by:

Hi Roger,

Thanks for your question, and we are sorry to hear that your dog is having problems.

In order to provide the most specific advice possible, we will need more information including:

(a) Your dog's breed
(b) Your dog's age
(c) Your dog's sex
(d) List of everything you fed your dog before he got sick
(e) List of everything you have fed your dog since he's been sick
(f) Have you tried anything to help him? If so, please provide details.
(g) Is he on any medications?
(h) Does he have a history of any other problems?

The more details you can provide the better. Please add the details by clicking the "Post a comment" link below.

If we don't hear from you, our veterinarians will do their best to give you a general answer, but they will need more details to hone in on what may be causing the vomiting. In the mean time, you should review our dog health vomit problems page for a background on dog vomiting and potential causes/solutions.

My Online Vet Response to Cause of Dog Vomiting
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Roger,
Your dog sounds like he (she?) is very ill, and needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately. You did not mention how long this problem has been occurring, but from the photo, he (she), is very depressed, thin, and appears dehydrated. Please call a nearby veterinarian or Emergency Clinic for treatment for vomiting. Several causes for acute onset of vomiting food and water could be from infection, toxins, or even trauma. And if she (he?) is not treated quickly she could die.

If the problem is a chronic one, then more specific information would be helpful (age, sex, breed, vaccination status, how long the problem has been occurring, what previous treatments have been done, etc.) to better assess what may be wrong. Please click the 'click here to add your own comments' link below and provide us with more details. I will follow up as soon as I read them.

Keep us posted on how your dog is doing and what the Emergency Veterinarian finds out.

Dr.Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person."

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Submitted by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Title

Comment
Hi Roger, Your dog sounds like he (she?) is very ill, and needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately. You did not mention how long this problem has been occurring, but from the photo, he (she), is very depressed, thin, and appears dehydrated. Please call a nearby veterinarian or Emergency Clinic for treatment for vomiting. Several causes for acute onset of vomiting food and water could be from infection, toxins, or even trauma. And if she (he?) is not treated quickly she could die. <span style="text-align:left; float:left; width:250px; margin: 5px 8px 5px 0;"> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </span> If the problem is a chronic one, then more specific information would be helpful (age, sex, breed, vaccination status, how long the problem has been occurring, what previous treatments have been done, etc.) to better assess what may be wrong. Please click the 'click here to add your own comments' link below and provide us with more details. I will follow up as soon as I read them. Keep us posted on how your dog is doing and what the Emergency Veterinarian finds out. Dr.Carol Jean Tillman DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person."

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Cause of Dog Vomiting
by: Roger

Thanks Dr. Tillman. Our dog is a chihuahua aged 3 yrs. We feed him Kibbles n Bits, but he did not eat much yesterday as got out and was gone for most the day. It is possible that he ate something else while he was gone.

I have been giving him a 1/2 of baby aspirin and 1/2 tea spoon of amoxicillin (Baby Strength). He has never been sick before that I know of.

thanks for your advice
by: Anonymous

I was glad to get your advice. Even though he is a stray that I took in, he is a good little dog and I want to help him.

I have tried to get him into 3 vets today but none will see him until I get $150.00 to pay up front. I'm on a fixed income and have a part time job to help make ends meet. I will have the money Thursday when I get paid but for now I have to keep on trying to force feed him and give him all the help I can with what little I have on hand.

I'm giving him 1/2 teaspoon amoxicillin 2 times a day, 1/2 a baby aspirin 2 times a day, and Pepto Bismol 2 times a day. I try to keep him warm and feed him baby formula oatmeal mixed with enfamil (the mixture is very thin so I can get him to swallow it) 3 times aday.

He still throws most it up. I found 2 pools of blood he either threw up or passed in a bowel movement this morning, but nothing since then.

He did get mauled by a big dog a few months ago, but I took him to a Vet then and found out he was okay. He has been fine since then until he got sick since last Fri afternoon (Editor's note: question was submitted Tuesday).

My Online Vet Response for Cause of Dog Vomiting
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Roger,

Thank you for filling in some background history. This gives me much more information.

First, STOP, the baby aspirin immediately. Also, you are giving him way too much amoxicillin. At this time no one knows if he even has a bacterial infection, so he may not even need any amoxicillin. And stop the Pepto Bismol. He can have some ice cubes to lick, especially if he is vomiting food and liquids - you can make up some chicken broth ice cubes. He must rest his GI tract, meaning only liquids or ice cubes for the next 12-24 hours.

Keep him confined inside only to observe how much he is vomiting, and go outside with him to observe any stool (to monitor if it is loose, has mucous or blood, etc.).

If he is still vomiting all of the liquids, he will have to be seen for IV or SQ fluids.

You can give him chicken broth, beef boullion, or turkey broth with an eye dropper. It would be good to dissolve in some acidophilus. Open an acidophilus capsule and sprinkle it into the broth. Lactobacillus acidophilus is the beneficial bacteria that is normally found in the gut.

You can buy it at health food stores in the refrigerator section. Since your chihuahua has been vomiting for the past 4 days, he has depleted all of the normal gut flora.

You can even give him some chicken or turkey baby food with some warm water mixed in to make it thinner. Hopefully, he will be able to hold down thin liquids. And you can dissolve the acidophilus into it each time. Offer him about 1 Tbsp every 3-4 hours. This is not very much, but I just want to know if he is able to hold it down over the next 24 hours.

If you have a thermometer you can take his temperature. Normal dog temperature is 101-102 degrees. If it is over 103, then he may have a viral or a bacterial infection.

In the meantime, if you have access to a health food store, you can buy the homeopathic remedy called Nux Vomica. Get the 6c or 12c potency. It will come in small pellets. You can give him 1-2 pellets by mouth, or just dissolve 1-2 pellets in a 1/2 glass of spring water. Then stir it 10 times, and give him 1/2 tsp (or 1/2 dropperful), by mouth one time per hour for about 3 hours then every 8 hours, if he is improving.

Please keep us posted.

Thank you,
Dr. Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person."

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Rating

Submitted by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Title

Comment
Hi Roger, Thank you for filling in some background history. This gives me much more information. First, STOP, the baby aspirin immediately. Also, you are giving him way too much amoxicillin. At this time no one knows if he even has a bacterial infection, so he may not even need any amoxicillin. And stop the Pepto Bismol. He can have some ice cubes to lick, especially if he is vomiting food and liquids - you can make up some chicken broth ice cubes. He must rest his GI tract, meaning only liquids or ice cubes for the next 12-24 hours. Keep him confined inside only to observe how much he is vomiting, and go outside with him to observe any stool (to monitor if it is loose, has mucous or blood, etc.). If he is still vomiting all of the liquids, he will have to be seen for IV or SQ fluids. You can give him chicken broth, beef boullion, or turkey broth with an eye dropper. It would be good to dissolve in some acidophilus. Open an acidophilus capsule and sprinkle it into the broth. Lactobacillus acidophilus is the beneficial bacteria that is normally found in the gut. You can buy it at health food stores in the refrigerator section. Since your chihuahua has been vomiting for the past 4 days, he has depleted all of the normal gut flora. You can even give him some chicken or turkey baby food with some warm water mixed in to make it thinner. Hopefully, he will be able to hold down thin liquids. And you can dissolve the acidophilus into it each time. Offer him about 1 Tbsp every 3-4 hours. This is not very much, but I just want to know if he is able to hold it down over the next 24 hours. If you have a thermometer you can take his temperature. Normal dog temperature is 101-102 degrees. If it is over 103, then he may have a viral or a bacterial infection. In the meantime, if you have access to a health food store, you can buy the homeopathic remedy called Nux Vomica. Get the 6c or 12c potency. It will come in small pellets. You can give him 1-2 pellets by mouth, or just dissolve 1-2 pellets in a 1/2 glass of spring water. Then stir it 10 times, and give him 1/2 tsp (or 1/2 dropperful), by mouth one time per hour for about 3 hours then every 8 hours, if he is improving. Please keep us posted. Thank you, Dr. Tillman DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person."

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Still Very Sick
by: Anonymous

My dog is still very sick. He has kept the chicken broth down today, but he threw up the beef broth.

I had to order the acidophilus and nux vomica online as there is no place around here that caries them. I will go to the store tomorrow as soon as I can and get the acidophilus.

He can keep water down ok, but he can't keep food down except for the chicken broth. He seems to be getting weaker, though.

I will take him to the vet tomorrow.

He is sleeping a lot and likes to go outside and lay in the sun. Should I let him and for how long?

His skin is also very red, and his temperature is 100.3. He is very listless and staggers a bit when he walks.

I have been told he may have something stuck in his gut but I have pushed in on his tummy and he don't seem to be hurting there.

Is there anything I can do or give him to make him feel a little better?

cause of dog vomiting
by: Anonymous

I forgot to tell you he has not gone to poop since Friday that I know of.

My Online Vet Response for cause of Dog Vomiting
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Roger,
Do not worry that he has not passed any stool. His intestine has been empty because of all the vomiting he has done. And I am afraid that the aspirin may have irritated his stomach,even more, so he is feeling weak.

His body temperature is a little on the cold side, that is why he wants to lay in the sun. Keep him inside with a hot water bottle, or heating pad to keep him warm. And cover him up with some towels or a blanket.

Since he is vomiting the beef broth,do not give him any more, and just stick to feeding the chicken broth. About 1 TBSP every 2-3 hours. Since he is not vomiting water, then he can have water whenever he wants it. The Nux Vomica should make him feel better but I do not know when you will get it since you had to order it online.

Make sure you get the acidophilus in a capsule form, that way it is easier to open the capsule and sprinkle it into the broth, (and/or) chicken baby food.

I would suppose that the veterinarian will do a Parvo test on him, and maybe an x-ray, to make sure there is not a foreign body in his intestine causing an obstruction. There are times that you may not be able to feel a foreign body, but it will show up on an x-ray. I hope that he does not have a foreign body. He is too weak at this time to be able to have surgery.

The veterinarian may also do a blood test on him to check his kidneys, liver, glucose, protein, white blood cells, red blood cells -- an entire internal check up. This will help to find out if he was poisoned, or if he somehow developed kidney failure or diabetes or if he has anemia, an infection, etc.

They will also give him either sub-Q fluids or intravenous fluids. If you have been able to keep him hydrated and he has not vomited any more, then the sub Q fluids would be cheaper, less stressful, and he would not have to stay in the hospital.

Also ask if they can give him a B-vitamin plus B-12 injection and if you can get some Pet-Tinic. This is a liver and iron tonic (comes in liquid form) that you can give with an eye dropper or syringe. He would only need 1 cc or 1/4 tsp 2 times daily. He would need this until his appetite returns to normal.

Hopefully, he is not too weak and he will start to respond to your nursing care, especially after he is able to get some Nux Vomica and the acidophilus. I am also hopeful that he will hold down more chicken broth and water without any more vomiting over the next 24 hours.

Take care,
Dr. Tillman
PS--Please keep us posted on what you find out from your veterinarian.

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person."

X Close Editor

Rating

Submitted by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Title

Comment
Hi Roger, Do not worry that he has not passed any stool. His intestine has been empty because of all the vomiting he has done. And I am afraid that the aspirin may have irritated his stomach,even more, so he is feeling weak. His body temperature is a little on the cold side, that is why he wants to lay in the sun. Keep him inside with a hot water bottle, or heating pad to keep him warm. And cover him up with some towels or a blanket. Since he is vomiting the beef broth,do not give him any more, and just stick to feeding the chicken broth. About 1 TBSP every 2-3 hours. Since he is not vomiting water, then he can have water whenever he wants it. The Nux Vomica should make him feel better but I do not know when you will get it since you had to order it online. Make sure you get the acidophilus in a capsule form, that way it is easier to open the capsule and sprinkle it into the broth, (and/or) chicken baby food. I would suppose that the veterinarian will do a Parvo test on him, and maybe an x-ray, to make sure there is not a foreign body in his intestine causing an obstruction. There are times that you may not be able to feel a foreign body, but it will show up on an x-ray. I hope that he does not have a foreign body. He is too weak at this time to be able to have surgery. The veterinarian may also do a blood test on him to check his kidneys, liver, glucose, protein, white blood cells, red blood cells -- an entire internal check up. This will help to find out if he was poisoned, or if he somehow developed kidney failure or diabetes or if he has anemia, an infection, etc. They will also give him either sub-Q fluids or intravenous fluids. If you have been able to keep him hydrated and he has not vomited any more, then the sub Q fluids would be cheaper, less stressful, and he would not have to stay in the hospital. Also ask if they can give him a B-vitamin plus B-12 injection and if you can get some Pet-Tinic. This is a liver and iron tonic (comes in liquid form) that you can give with an eye dropper or syringe. He would only need 1 cc or 1/4 tsp 2 times daily. He would need this until his appetite returns to normal. Hopefully, he is not too weak and he will start to respond to your nursing care, especially after he is able to get some Nux Vomica and the acidophilus. I am also hopeful that he will hold down more chicken broth and water without any more vomiting over the next 24 hours. Take care, Dr. Tillman PS--Please keep us posted on what you find out from your veterinarian. DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person."

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