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My dog vomited.

Species: Dog
Breed: Golden
Age: 1-2 years
Max just threw up. Probably not serous but wanted to check.

30 min ago he was fine, playing ball in the park. Came home, ate some food, drank lots of water and ate an orange pepper (which he's had before). 15-20 min go by then he throws up.

contents was recently eaten food, undigested, pepper, saliva and lots of water (like two cups or more). No bile, no smell.

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Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Hi there Jay. I don't tend to get too concerned with vomiting if it is just once (or even twice). Some dogs can just vomit really easily.

It could be that the pepper irritated his belly (even if he has had this food before). Or, it could be a number of other reasons...who knows what Max has picked up and eaten!

The contents of the vomit don't tell me too much - I really only get concerned if I am seeing something that is black and looks like coffee grounds which means that there is bleeding in the stomach. But otherwise, the vomit just looks like either whatever is in the stoamch, or bile if the stomach is empty.

It's not a bad idea to fast Max for the rest of the day and then offer him a small amount of his regular food in the morning.

I wouldn't start to get concerned unless this is a repeated thing (i.e. vomiting several times per day) or if he is super lethargic.

He'll likely be just fine!

Dr. Marie.


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Disclaimer: Although Dr. Marie is a qualified veterinarian, the information found on this site is not meant to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. AskAVetQuestion.com and Dr. Marie do not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, death, or disease which may arise from reliance on information contained on this site. Do not use information found on this site for diagnosing or treating your pet. Anything you read here is for information only.

Customer reply:

I think you're right. He's running around the house now humping all the pillows. Not lethargic.

Although I just finished transitioning him to blue buffalo on Sunday he never had diahrea.

I think because it was so soon after the orange pepper it was probably that which did it.

He's hungry but I will fast him as you said... As soon as I get him off the couch.


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Haha! Max sure is entertaining!

If he's humping pillows, he's very likely feeling ok. The poor pillows.

:)



Customer reply:

Recall that I changed his food over 6 days to Blue Buffalo. That ended last Monday.

He threw up last Tuesday right after I gave him a yellow pepper.

Today (Saturday) he threw up during our walk right after he ate some grass. The vomit was just bile, some hair and the grass.

Is his stomach all of a sudden really sensitive?
I have a half bottle of sulcrate 1 g. Should I start him on that?

Also, though his stools have gotten better, about the last third is still mushy. Is this normal, should I wait a few more days or should I take him in?


Activity level, eating and drinking are all normal.

Thanks,

Jay


Customer reply:

Just a random thought - would it be possible for you to post your online hours? When you have the immediate turn around, or 24 turn around.

THanks,

Jay


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Hi Jay. This could all be because of the food change. If so, we may have a couple of soft stools for a couple of days I wouldn't do too much for him as long as he is bright and happy.

Regarding the sulcrate, I can't legally advise on giving medication. It would be great to give your vet a quick call to get the ok.

To find out if I am online, visit my home page. If only the 12-24 hour response option is available then I'm not online. Right now I'm out at a puppet festival with my little girl and responding on my blackberry. I'm not officially online till later today.



Customer reply:

He threw up tonites dinner.

SO that makes last tuesday green pepper
Saturday grass
Tuesday normal dinner.

Poo is still part normal end part mush. Do I bring him into the after hours clinic or wait ?




Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

If he's still a happy boy (i.e. bright and alert) then it definitely doesn't sound like he needs to go to emerg.

He will likely be fine, but seeing as this has been going on (off and on) for a few days now it's not a bad idea to have your vet see him tomorrow.



Customer reply:

Well he doesn't seem too unhappy. We came from PetSmart tonight and he ran up and down the aisles and played with other dogs.

Matter of fact 15 minutes ago he saw them playing ball in the diamond and wanted to go.

So what is happening, even if it's not acute?

Jay


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

It's tough to say. Some dogs are super sensitive and one little thing can set them off with digestive upset for several days.

It's never a bad idea to have a fecal check for parasites done (even if this was done in the past).

But a lot of the time, in cases like this where the symptoms are sporadic we just don't find a cause!



Customer reply:

I believe it is linked to the change in food (as it began a day after the change was complete).

I guess he is just sensitive. I agree the fact its lasted for 9 days now warrants a visit. Especially since he vomits every 4 days.

Though I am puzzled as to why he's thrown up only 1/2 cup of the 1-1/2 cup dinner he ate only 20 minutes ago. Or why just now he's located a pile of food that dropped and just finished that off too.





Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

It certainly could be the change in food.

I wish I could give you answers as far as his vomiting pattern goes, but things like this are a mystery!



Customer reply:

So far Max has vomitted Wednesday-Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday (Today).

He's on 1g sulcrate since Thursday.

I ask this selfishly, is there anything else I can do to help stop the vomitting. I know it's not clinically significant but I'm frustrated by cleaning up carpets and car seats all the time.

THanks,

Jay


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Hi Jay...has Max seen his doctor this week? I wasn't too concerned about the vomiting when he had just done it once or twice, but as it's going on for this long I'm getting a little bit concerned.

It may be necessary to have some xrays taken to make sure he hasn't eaten something that is stuck in his stomach. Knowing Max, this is certainly possible.

If the vet doesn't find anything then they can prescribe an anti-vomiting medication such as Cerenia or Metoclopramide to help.



Customer reply:

He went to the vet Wednesday. I presented the whole history. The vet thought it was all part of the food change.
Can something sit in his stomache for 2 weeks? And vomiting ddoes not bring it up?



Customer reply:

And why Wed Sat Tues Sat. Wouldn't it be continuous?


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

A food change can certainly cause these issues...but it's been many days now!

Something can sit in a dog's stomach for months and cause occasional vomiting. The way I look at it, I picture that something can be rocking around in the stomach and then occasionally get in the way of food that is trying to get out of the stomach and into the intestines. When this happens, then vomiting would occur.

But, I could probably name 100 different reasons for him to be vomiting.

I don't normally recommend medications online, but one that could help him over the weekend until you can see your vet is Famotidine (Pepcid). A dog Max's size would take 1 tablet (10mg) twice daily. This can help with mild stomach upset.

I don't think we need to rush in to emerg. But if he's still vomiting by Monday, your vet will likely want to take some xrays.



Customer reply:

It hasnt been simple.

Wed - threw up dinner right after eating 1 green pepper
Sat - threw up empty stomach after eating 3 leaves of grass
Tue - threw up 1/3rd of freshly eaten dinner.
Today - threw up breakfast in car ride

Right after he frequently has appetite for more food, active.

Also, since last Wed I am transitioning him BACK to his original food.

But lets say he has something in there that 4 attempts to disloge haven't worked... what then? Operation?
Would they take barium x rays? Or scope?


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

There are really too many variables Jay. I could think of literally hundreds of possible reasons for the vomiting.

Try the Pepcid. If there is some mild stomach upset because of the food changes, this will help. Otherwise, your vet will advise you on what tests or medications they will do.



Customer reply:

thanks
One last thing - if there is an undigestible object in his stomach, is there a chance it will lead to a block of the pyloric sphincter?



Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

It's not too common for an object to block the pyloric sphincter. It is possible for something to make its way into the intestines and cause an intestinal blockage though. You would know if this was happening though - he'd be super lethargic and uncomfortable.



Customer reply:

He threw up bile this morning. I brought him to Emerg. They are going to sedate him and do xrays but they found a level 2 heart murmur?!?!


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Hi Jay...I've answered this under your new question.



Customer reply:

I thought you may find this interesting .
As prescibed, max went on a hamburger rice diet for 6 days. I introduced medical gastro 1 cup -> vomit.
Back on bland diet for 9 more days introducing gastro. As soon as I hit 2/3 cup -> vomit diarrhea.

Saw an internal med specialist.
Xray + ultrasound
Distal colon mildly thickened .213cm.
Mild segmental colopathy

Could be due to ibd
Trying sulcrate metoclopramide tylosine bland diet 10 days
If this doesn't help, biopsy. Could be eosinophilia gastroenterocolitis.




Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

IBD certainly is possible. I'm glad you're able to see a specialist with Max. If anyone can get down to the bottom of things, these guys can.



Customer reply:

He said it was common and with a good prognosis at his age.

Here's hoping


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Dr. MarieDr. Marie is a veterinarian who practices in a busy animal hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. She created Ask A Vet Question as a resource for good, accurate veterinary advice online. Dr. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. She has been a vet since 1999.

Is an online vet visit just as good as a trip to your veterinarian? No! But, many times, asking an online veterinarian a question can help save you money. While Dr. Marie can't officially diagnose your pet or prescribe medications, she can often advise you on whether a vet visit is necessary. You can also ask Dr. Marie for a second opinion on your pet's condition.