LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom Vomiting and Diarrhea

I'm really sorry to hear about what your dog is going through. It's so frustrating knowing our dogs are ill but not knowing how to help.

I'm not a vet, but maybe I can pass along some info that will help. First, a lot depends on exactly what your dog is vomiting up. Is it sort of a yellow, mucusy bile? Frequent vomiting of this type of material can be an indication of impaired liver function. Does the vomit look like partially digested food? If so, the problem is in her stomach and requires further investigation by your vet to determine what's going on. Finally, if the recent vomit looks more like undigested food, the food may not actually be reaching your dog's stomach, and this might indicate a developing case of megaesophagus.

In any case, the best thing you can do is call your vet to let him/her know that the vomiting returned after the medication wore off and now your dog has increased symptoms. I totally understand what you're saying about the vet bills, but perhaps your vet will let you make payments since you're an established customer. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this info will help you in some way. At least it's worth bringing up with your vet for discussion. Best wishes for your dog's health, and please let us know what you find out. - posted by:Kelly

I want to begin by making it clear that I am not a vet so keep that in mind, but I think the problem may not necessarily be in the food itself. Rottweilers are susceptible to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), so this is something you may want to bring up for discussion with your vet. IBS is believed to be related to an over-sensitivity of the nerves of the large intestine. When an affected dog eats, the stimulation to those nerves causes cramping and premature evacuation of the colon, resulting in diarrhea.

Diagnosing IBS can be a little tricky because there are other conditions that produce similar symptoms. Your vet will want to try to rule things like a bowel infection, Giardia, allergies to any of those common ingredients you mentioned and possibly even liver disease before checking into IBS. The previous conditions can all be checked through either a blood or stool sample. Diagnosing IBS involves using an endoscope to take a small sample of intestinal tissue to check for inflammation.

So it looks like going back to your vet is the best plan at this time. Do some research on IBS and make a list of questions to ask your vet because it's easy to forget what you want to say once you are in the office.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope this information helps in some way to lead to a proper diagnosis and treatment for your Rotty. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear about how sick your little Yorkie has been over the last couple of days. Since I'm not a vet, all I can do is offer a few suggestions.

The first thing I want to encourage you to do is call your vet. Prolonged vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration, and this doesn't take long in the case of a dog as small as yours. Dehydration hampers the internal organs from functioning properly, so the diarrhea and vomiting need to be stopped as soon as possible. Your vet will examine your dog to try to figure out the cause of the illness, such as a possible virus, and also administer fluid as needed. There are also medications that can relieve these symptoms and help support your pet while he recovers.

Since your pet has already been ill for a couple of days, you'll want to make that call right away.

In the meantime, try offering your dog some low sodium chicken broth. This may entice him to take in a little liquid and nutrition in one shot. Just offer 1/8 cup at a time so you don't overload his tummy and trigger more vomiting and diarrhea. If he is able to keep the broth down, you can offer another 1/8 cup an hour later. This should help your dog hang on until you can take him to your vet. Don't attempt to feed solid food until your vet advises you to do so.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope your pet recovers quickly. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear about your little Yorkie's difficulty. I think the vet is trying the enema to see if the simplest treatment will relieve the problem. When you say you fed your dog ribs, did you feed the bones as well? If your dog swalled a small bone, it could be lodged somewhere in the digestive tract. However, most bones are dissolved by the digestive acids, so hopefully this isn't the case with your pet.

Did the vet happen to take a sonogram or an x-ray of your dog's abdomen? This should reveal whether there's a blockage. Sometimes a blockage can be relieved with an enema or by feeding plain canned pumpkin, but other times the blockage must be surgically removed. If the enema doesn't alleviate your dog's constipation, it would be wise to check back in with your vet.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog feels better soon. - posted by:Kelly

I think it's very important to take your dog to the vet right away. The excessive salivating and foaming make me think it's possible she has ingested something toxic. Right now, you don't want to offer her food because that will make her continue to vomit. It's best to take her straight to the vet, and let the doctor determine what's wrong and what should be done. It may actually be better to give IV fluid or a subcuetaneous injection of saline to rehydrate your dog rather than have her take water orally.

I truly hope your dog will be alright. Please let us know what you find out. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear your little guy is feeling so poorly. It does sound like he may have picked up a virus, but his symptoms might also be due to a bacterial infection of the bowels or a parasitic condition.

Since he has already been sick for 48 hours and doesn't show any sign of recovering, it would be best to take your dog to your vet right away. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, and this contributes to your dog's lethargy. The vet can analize your dog's stool and also give medication to curtail the diarrhea. The antispasmodic in the diarrhea meds should relieve any stomach cramping and lesson pain. This should help him get on the road to recovery. Just remember that Toy Poodles have small systems so they are overcome by illness much easier than a larger dog would. It's best to see your vet as soon as possible.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope everything will soon be alright. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear how sick your old friend is, but right now it sounds as if your dog is in a life or death situation. I could speculate on the possible causes for her condition, but what's most important is that since she has been throwing up repeatedly and she is not drinking any water, she is in danger of dehydrating. The fact that she is too weak to move indicates she may already be seriously dehydrated, and she may not survive without intervention. The very best advice I can give you is to take her to your vet right away. If your vet isn't available, take her to the emergency vet. She may actually need IV fluids in an effort to restore the full functions of her vital organs. After getting an IV line in her, the vet will try to determine exactly what's going on and how to treat the ailment.

Thank you for sharing what's happening, and I truly hope your dog will recover. - posted by:Kelly

This does indeed sound serious. That dry heaving could actually be more like labored breathing, and the milky substance your dog is coughing up could be sign of a serious respiratory infection or even heartworms. The best advice I can give you right now is to take your dog to the vet straight away. If you can't get an appointment with your regular vet, go to the emergency vet instead.

Best wishes for your dog's full recovery. - posted by:Kelly

Honestly, it's the bloating that concerns me the most right now. In a typical case of food poisoning, you would see vomiting and diarrhea, and dehydration would be the main concern until until the illness passes. However, the bloating is very painful, and your vet may need to find a way to relieve it. This includes the possibility of a surgical procedure.

Right now, the very best thing you can do is take your dog straight to the vet for emergency treatment. I hope everything will turn out alright. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear your pup is having some difficulty. This could be related to the vaccination. Sometimes a puppy will get a light case of one of the viruses being vaccinated against.

Right now, the best thing to do is withhold food for 24 hours so there's not so much extra pressure on the colon to evacuate prematurely. However, you don't want your pup to dehydrate, so do offer fresh water. In fact, offering Pedialyte instead is an even better choice. Just put a little in this pup's bowl at a time because you'll need to replace any remaining portion after two hours to avoid spoilage.

I'd also advise you to keep this pup separated from any littermates so they don't come in contact with the stools. It goes without saying that you should clean up the stools immediately and spray the soiled area with a disinfectant.

You can continue to offer a Pepto Bismal tablet, but it would be wise to cally your emergency vet to get the correct dosage schedule. It usually takes several doses to help bring the problem under control.

If this is just a case of occasional watery stools, you can probably treat it at home and just call your vet on Monday. However, if it turns into a case of violent diarrhea, you'll want to head to the emergency vet straight away to avoid dehydration.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your puppy's quick recovery. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear how sick your dog has been. You're going to want to take her to the vet right away for a proper diagnosis and treatment so she doesn't become dangerously dehydrated.

The first thing your vet will do is look at the color of the blood to determine where it's coming from. Fresh red blood indicates the problem is in the lower intestinal tract. Dark, tarry-looking blood usually indicates an upper GI problem because the blood has been digested.

It's possible that your dog has a viral or bacterial infection causing the bloody diarrhea, but these are not the only possible causes. If the blood is dark, combining that sign with the gurgling from your dog's tummy might indicate a bleeding ulcer. Tumors are another possibility. Our article on Dog Health Blood in Stool offers more useful information.

As you can see, you'll need your vet's help to reach a diagnosis and decide on the best course of treatment to help your pet. Please make that call right away.

Best wishes for your dog's full recovery. - posted by:Kelly

Interesting question. First of all, it's important to get a diagnosis from a vet whenever gastrointestinal problems surface. This is because there are numerous causes, and you have to identify the cause before determining the correct treatment.

Some gastrointestinal disorders are caused by viruses. In cases like this, a vet might provide supportive measures such as IV hydration until the immune system is able to fight off the virus. In some cases, the infection is bacterial in nature, and this calls for an antibiotic. Amoxycillin is typically used in these instances, but there are other antibiotics that might also be used depending on the severity of the infection. In still other instances, what might be perceived by an owner as a gastrointestinal infection could actually be a case of torsion that must be treated with emergency surgical procedures if the dog is to survive. The list goes on.

If you suspect your dog has a gastrointestinal disorder, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your vet right away. Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear how sick your puppy is. I have to tell you that the situation is very serious. Only your vet can make an accurate diagnosis, but there's a possibility that your dog has a virus. Whatever it is, four days of vomiting, diarrhea and no water intake add up to a dangerous case of dehydration. Right now, I believe the best thing you can do is get your dog to the vet right away. It's very likely your dog needs IV fluids to help stabilize his condition. That will be essential for any further treatment to be effective. Your vet can also give your dog an antiemetic to stop the vomiting. This will help bring up his fluid level and give him a fighting chance.

Thank you for sharing your situation, and I truly hope your pet will recover. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear what you and your dog have been going through. Please understand that I am not a vet. I can't provide an accurate diagnosis, but I do have some thoughts on this subject, and maybe they will help.

There are so many causes of diarrhea that it can be difficult to sort out what's going on. I recommend you read our article Dog Health Diarrhea to see the list of possible causes. You may be able to narrow down the choices a bit based on the tests your dog has already had.

Now, by what I gather from your question, the diarrhea and mucus seemed to go away after you were feeding the rice diet. I can't be certain, but it sounds like the bland diet did your dog a world of good, so why don't you try going back to that. It could be beneficial to put your dog on boiled brown rice {More nutritional value) for two days to allow some time for his system to settle. Next, boil some chicken with that rice and feed it for a week. If you notice a big improvement, it may be that your dog has a digestive problem like a food allergy or pancreatitis, or perhaps his regular diet triggers inflammation somewhere in the bowel lining or colon. You may need to stick with a bland diet the rest of your dog's life to avoid triggering repeated digestive upsets. At any rate, if this works for your dog, you'll at least have some time to recover financially until you can have further testing done to isolate the cause.

Just so you know, a straight diet of chicken and rice is good short term, but it won't provide balanced nutrition in the long run. You can eventually add in foods like a little cottage cheese for calcium, green beans/carrots for vitamins and minerals, and even a few blueberries for antioxidents. Giving a multivitamin will also provide more rounded nutrition. All of this cooking for your dog might seem expensive, but it's really not that bad when you compare it to the price of a premium dog food, and this way you avoid chemical preservatives and other additives. Plus, you'll know exactly what your dog is eating, and this makes it easy to avoid a particular food that causes a disturbance.

I hope these suggestions provide at least a temporary solution to your dog's problem so you have time to regroup. Please let us know how your dog is doing. - posted by:Kelly

I'm not a vet, so please keep that in mind as I share my thoughts.

The symptoms you describe sound rather like irritable bowel syndrome. Dogs with this condition suffer episodes when their stress level goes up. Your dog probably has some anxiety when you leave the house, and so it triggers the diarrhea. Diet can also trigger episodes, so your dog's sneaking food could also contribute to the problem.

Honestly, this will require another trip back to the vet for a proper diagnosis because if it's not IBS, it could be symptomatic of another condition. It would be a good idea to start a diary to track your dog's episodes. Record information about when they happen, the circumstances right before they begin, how long they last and whether it's just diarrhea or if vomiting is also involved. This type of record really helps your vet get the picture of what's going on, and often leads to a quicker diagnosis.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope your vet can help you get the problem under control. Best wishes for your puppy's health. - posted by:Kelly

It sounds as if your dog is vomiting blood. This is called hematemesis, and it is usually a sign of a more serious ailment. Since the blood is brown like coffee grounds instead of bright red, that means it is partially digested, so it must be coming from somewhere in your dog's upper GI tract. It's possible that your dog may have an stomach ulcer or another breach in the digestive tract lining. The very best thing you can do is take your pet to the vet right away for an exam. You vet will know how to proceed based on the findings. The situation could be serious, so please don't delay.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's full recovery. - posted by:Kelly

It's always best to consult your vet when a dog has both diarrhea and vomiting because it could indicate the animal has a serious virus.

That said, the standard treatment for vomiting is to withhold food for 24 hours to give the digestive system a rest. If the vomiting subsides during this time, you can try reintroducing small servings of something bland like boiled chicken and rice.

As for diarrhea, you might want to try the following product. It might not provide a complete cure if your pet truly has a bad virus, but it might slow down dehydration and help your dog feel a little better.

• Wellness Diarrhea/Vomiting: Lambert Kay PetPectillin Diarrhea Medication for Dogs and Cats

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find this info useful. - posted by:Kelly

Although making a sudden and complete switch to a different diet can cause digestive upset, it sounds as though your dog's problem began prior to your changing her diet. Right now it sounds as though vomiting is the only symptom. What I suggest is that you take a sample of the vomit to her vet. Just ask your friend which vet he used and go there because they will have your dog on record. The vet will analyze the vomit and then look for what is most likely causing the problem. The vet will also want to listen to your dog's bowel sounds to see if he/she can locate where the problem is originating from. It might also be beneficial to bring a stool sample if you can get one. Be sure to mention the brown colored vomit from the other day because it might indicate there was some blood in it.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and please let us know what you find out. Hopefully it's nothing the vet can't quickly correct. Best wishes for your dog's health.

- posted by:Kelly

It sounds like the excess water in your dog's stool is not being properly reabsorbed in the colon. This could be due to premature spasms that cause the colon to evacuate before the job is finished, and it's probably why your vet wants to take a look by scoping your dog. The only risk to this procedure is making sure the dog is properly anesthetised, something that shouldn't be a problem with a Staffie.

It's probably best to let your vet perform the procedure if it will lead to a swifter and more accurate diagnosis. That way your vet can determine the most effective course of treatment and hopefully help your dog get back to normal.

Thanks for sharing your question, and I hope this helps put your mind at ease. Let us know what the vet finds out. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear about your dog's illness. Throwing up blood could indicate a serious problem. Your dog could have ingested something that damaged the stomach lining or this could be the result of an ulcer. Coffee emisis, as this is sometimes referred to, could also be a sign of stomach cancer. I truly hope your dog's condition is not that serious, but I do encourage you to call your vet right away and explain what you've observed. Whatever the cause might be, I'm sure the vet will want to examine your dog right away.

Thank you for sharing your situation, and please let us know what you find out. You have my best wishes for your dog's health. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear your little Chi is so sick. Honestly, Chihuahuas are a very delicate breed, and it is best to take them to the vet anytime they seem seriously ill.

You mentioned that your dog won't eat much and had diarrhea. How much water has he been drinking since he became ill? My fear is that if he isn't drinking well and has had diarrhea, his lethargy now might be related to dehydration. If this is the case, he may be in more serious condition than you originally thought. Since he is weak and sleepy, I think you should go to the vet right away. If your regular vet isn't available, go to the emergency vet.

Thanks you for your question, and I truly hope your pet will be alright. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear your dog is so sick. Unfortunately, I'm not a vet, and that is the person who can help your dog most at this time. The very best advice I can give you is to take your pet to your veterinary clinic right away. If your dog has been throwing up frequently, it could be dehydrated and this can make the situation more dangerous. Please don't delay.

Thank you for your question, and best wishes for your dog's full and speedy recovery. - posted by:Kelly

Mucous in the stools is sometimes indicative of a bowel infection. If the stool lacks much of a smell, the infection is usually in the small intestine. If the smell is very strong, the infection is more likely in the large intestine. A case of worms sometimes also produces mucous due to an irritation of the bowel linings.

Your best option is to collect a stool sample in a zip-lock bag and take it to your vet for analysis. The vet will examine it and then have it checked for worms or worm ova. Whatever the outcome of the examination, your vet will prescribe any medication he/she deems necessary to take care of the problem.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog is soon back in full health. - posted by:Kelly

In some cases, throwing up bile on a regular basis can be a sign of liver malfunction. How often would you say your dog spits up bile; once a month, once a week, daily? Frequency is the key here.

All things considered, I think it would be beneficial to speak with your vet about the situation if your dog is throwing up bile one or more times per week. Give your vet the opportunity to examine Lucy to find out if this is a true health threat and treat it if possible. Something as simple as a change in diet might stop the vomiting, so it's worth checking out.

Thanks for your question, and I do hope everything works out alright. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear about your dog's misadventure. Dogs can be very determined to get what they want, so please don't blame yourself on this occasion. I'm not a vet, so take what I tell you with a grain of salt and then go call your vet.

What your dog just vomited sounds like bile. Yellow colored bile usually comes from the stomach, while green bile tends to come from the small intestine. It could mean your dog is having a bit of difficulty digesting the bone. To be on the safe side, I think you should alert your vet to what is going on and see if he/she wants you to bring your dog in for an X-ray.

Hopefully everything will be alright. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

This is an emergency situation. Take your dog to the vet immediately because she could be dying from dehydration. Whatever else is going on medically, the vet needs to get her on an IV to rehydrate her or nothing else will matter.

Best wishes for your dog's recovery. - posted by:Kelly

There's a chance that the brownish coloring you're seeing in the bile could be blood. For this reason, I think you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

I would also discourage the grass eating at this point because it won't help the situation and could be encouraging more vomiting when it isn't beneficial.

Thanks for your question, and I truly hope the vet can give your dog some immediate relief from the nausea. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

It sounds as though your dog might have been having a reaction to whatever type of shampoo your wife used. Was it flea shampoo? Sometimes dogs can't tolerate a particular chemical pesticide in the mix. I would recommend looking carefully at the ingredients and seeing if there is a significant difference from the last type of shampoo you used.

Now I'd like to discuss your dog's diet. While cooking for your dog can be a great alternative to serving commercial dog food mixes, without balanced nutrition your dog can become seriously ill.

Boiled chicken is a good source of protein, boiled hot dogs are a lesser alternative. However, your dog is missing out on valuable vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. I'd like you to check out our article about Making your Own Dog Food. It offers information on how to create a balanced, home cooked diet for your pet that will keep him safe and healthy. You'll also find other articles on dog food and nutrition in our Category:Dog Supplies category.

Thanks for your questions, and best wishes for your dog's future health. - posted by:Kelly

I'm not a vet, but do I understand you correctly that the vet is saying all the other symptoms are the result of the ear mites? If so, I would have to agree with you that this doesn't sound correct.

While it's a possibility that your dog has an obstruction, and I certainly agree your vet should check for one, there are some other things that could be going on. Frequent regurgitation might be due to a condition known as megaesophagus. The muscle is unable to move the food down to the stomach, and it is regurgitated a short time later. This is sometimes connected to Canine Myasthenia Gravis.

Is there another vet at the clinic you can ask for a second opinion? I would not suggest moving your dog to another clinic in such a delicate condition. A second set of fresh eyes might be able to review your dog's records so far and come up with an alternative diagnosis.

Thank you for your question, and I'll keep your dog in my thoughts. Please let us know what you find out. - posted by:Kelly

There are a couple of things that could be going on here. First, the diarrhea could have soaked through to the carpet padding. The trapped smell could be luring your dog back to these spots to poop again. I suggest thoroughly soaking these areas with an enzymatic cleaner sold at most pet supply stores. The enzymes eat the bacteria, and will eventually eliminate any residual odor completely.

Second, there could be a medical reason that your senior dog is unable to hold his stools the way he used to. It would be a good idea to have your vet give your dog a check up, just to make sure there's nothing medically going on. At the very least, you may have to increase the number of times you let your dog to exerices each day.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find these suggestions helpful. - posted by:Kelly

What you're describing may be bile. Some dogs just naturally have more sensitive stomachs, and will throw up bile from time to time. However, since your puppy is doing this several times each day, it's worth having your vet look into it. Your puppy may need a change in diet to help things settle down.

In the meantime, I wouldn't be overly worried about it yet. Let's see what your vet recommends and if it brings your dog any relief.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

I get a lot of questions on this particular topic, and it's always difficult to answer. Some dogs seem more prone to spitting up bile, especially early in the day. Sometimes this is due to a bit of nausea after the tummy has been empty overnight. It can be beneficial to feed a handful of kibble at bedtime to avert the nausea, and hopefully the vomiting as well.

In other cases, it can actually be the food that causes the disturbance. Have you switched brands at any time during the course of the vomiting episodes? There might be a particular ingredient that doesn't sit well with your dog's tummy. It's just one more avenue to investigate.

Excessive vomiting of bile can sometimes, but not always, be a sign of a liver problem.

All things taken into consideration, I would keep a diary about your dog's vomiting over the next two weeks. Record the date and time it happens, as well as a description of whether it was bile, food, etc. Take the diary to your vet and discuss what has been going on. Hopefully your vet will be able to detect a pattern in the diary that will give clues to the cause. Then he/she can begin to address the problem.

Thanks for your question, and if you do get a diagnosis, please come back and share it. As I said, we get a lot of questions on this topic, and it would be good to compare what various vets have to say about it. - posted by:Kelly

I don't think the recent warm spell has made your dog sick. Right now with the diarrhea, it would be better if you withheld food for 24 hours. This will give your dog's digestive system time to settle down, and hopefully put a stop to the diarrhea.

I'm not a vet, but it sounds to me like your dog could have picked up some sort of virus or bacterial infection. Is he still willing to drink water? If so, try to get him to take some to stave off dehydration. Honestly, I would call and make an appointment with your vet tomorrow if he isn't doing any better. The longer you wait, the more run down he will become.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog recovers quickly. - posted by:Kelly

This could possibly be a case of Dog Flu, but it could also be something worse. I'm going to recommend you stop giving the cheese. Right now, more food will only keep stimulating your dog's tummy to throw up again. You need to withhold food for 24 hours to help the tummy calm down. Cheese is also binding, so combined with your dog's refusal to drink, this could lead to constipation if he does manage to keep the cheese down.

I think a call to your vet is in order. Dehydration will definitely be a concern if your dog continues to vomit and refuse water. In the meantime, try to keep your dog warm and comfortable, and keep trying to get him to take some water.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's speedy recovery. - posted by:Kelly

I'm not a vet, but it does sound as though your dog needs to see one. Dogs will occasionally vomit bile from time to time. Sometimes this can be attributed to an empty tummy that has become irritated. The fact that your dog has been vomiting repeatedly for the last 24 hours indicates a more serious problem. Excessive bile vomiting might indicate a problem with your dog's pancrease. It could also be an indication of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The fact that you've noticed blood in his stool only complicates matters.

I suggest you collect a sample of both the bile and the stool in separate zip-loc bags, and call your vet right away. The sooner your dog gets some help, the sooner he'll begin to feel better.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes. - posted by:Kelly