Dog Illness - Opinions Needed

In My Humble Opinion
1

So, the other tech I work with has a dog that is 6 months old. The dog has had its shots and whatever other services are routinely done for dogs by vets. The dog was a normal pup, energetic, happy, playful, etc.

Suddenly, about a week ago, the dog began throwing up after meals. The dog is still basically energetic and “normal” except for the fact it pukes up its meals. The advice he got over the phone from the vet was to change the dog’s diet and desist from giving him human treats that might be a cause. It’s strictly high quality dog food at this point. The problem still exists, and he is going to take the animal in, but I was wondering if any experienced dog people here have an idea what might be going on.

2

Could be kidney disease. I thought it was an old dog thing (my old dog had it) but my friend’s 8mo puppy has it. He is also happy and playful.

Human food is generally high in salt, and “high quality dog food” might be high in protein, both of which are no good for kidney disease.

3

My dog used to do that because he had acid reflux. I started giving him an acid reducer at night and the problem went away. YMMV.

4

“WOW!” to both of these!

5

For a dog this age vomiting postprandialy, the big concern is for a gastrointestinal foreign body.

6

Eeew! That means a parasite, although medicine should kill it and solve the problem, right?

7

It could mean they swallowed a sock or a Lego or a chunk of a leather belt left within their reach and now it’s stuck, interfering with the normal peristalsis. What can’t move along comes back up.

8

Well, one thing I’ve learned for certain is that I’d better not ever get a dog because I don’t know squat about them. LOL

9

My thought as well, as a person who once had a dog with a propensity to eat socks from the laundry. Only men’s dress socks. Have you ever watched a dog pass a 12 inch long argyle sock? I have.

Unfortunately, if he can’t pass it this can be very serious. And expensive.

Is the dog having diarrhea? I’m not a vet, but in my experience when they can’t pass something that happens along with the vomiting.

10

Agreed. At some point X-rays are needed but still may not reveal anything.

I’d also be looking to see if that doggy has taken a liking to eating grass or any other flora or fauna.

11

Sock. A landscaping rock or chip. Pine cone. Rubber anything.

Or, allergies.

He’ll get x-rays, tests and spend your friends money as much as he can.

And probaby grow outta it.

P.S. Bayliss takes heartworm prevention every month. His belly aches for a day.

One just never knows.

12

My pup has loved eating grass ever since she was very young. I think she’s part Holstein; matches her coloration…

13

In dogs there’s a difference between vomiting and regurgitation. If the dog eats and then brings it all back up again within minutes, that’s regurgitation and can be the result of eating too much, too fast. My dog gets very soupy meals for just this reason.

Regularly vomiting up a meal several hours later is definitely an indicator of something wrong and definitely needs a vet visit. It could be anything from eating something indigestible (and things like socks or string can be dangerous to the intestinal structure) to pancreatitis.

Frankly I’d be making a vet call either way, just to be sure.

14

Ah, only on the Straight Dope!

15

I agree. The animal should have an intestinal X-ray.

16

Thanks, all! I passed on this info to my tech mate. He thanks you. :slight_smile: