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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dog constantly vomiting- what can it be?

19 replies

Rantypanties · 06/10/2023 15:21

Hello!

my Spaniel started vomiting after every meal, even when eating bland food (chicken/rice etc) so took him to the vet. Started off on anti sickness medicine which seemed to help then he went in for an X-ray/ultrasound. The results were that he had a ‘sad tummy’, that it was all inflamed but they didn’t know what was causing it. No obvious tumours.

he’s had a week on hypoallergenic vet specialised food and some medication that he takes 3 times a day that apparently helps him absorb the nutrients of the food. We were only given a weeks worth of medicine and after about 2 days of finishing it he’s being sick again.

The next step is an endoscopy but has anyone’s dog had anything like this? The vets don’t really know what it could be and even though he’s 11 I’m not ready to give up yet!!

any suggestions would be welcome!

thanks x

OP posts:
TeddyBeans · 06/10/2023 15:28

Is he pooping?

My spaniel started throwing up after every meal. The x-ray showed a shadow in his intestines but nothing obviously untoward. The vet wanted to do exploratory surgery to see what this shadow was and it was a good thing we agreed. He'd eaten a clear plastic tub (like a take away dip pot sort of thing) and it was completely blocking his bowel. He would have died if we didn't do the surgery.

I'd ask the vet to check the x-ray again to see if there's anything remotely suspicious based on this experience alone

Poniesandrainbows · 06/10/2023 15:32

My dog had a blockage caused by a stone. I guess the x ray would have shown it though.

margotrose · 06/10/2023 19:03

I assume they've ruled out a blockage? Is he toileting as normal? What are his energy levels like?

Original poster
Rantypanties · 06/10/2023 21:16

He is pooping, it looks a bit darker than normal but I’m guessing that’s the new food. The weeks he was vomiting then on bland food I’d say he wasn’t 100%, but since his ultrasound and being on the new food he’s been fine.

the week he had bland food he dropped from 16.4kg to 15.7kg then I weighed him today and he’s down to 15.2kg so he’s still losing weight despite shorter walks and being on the new food.

the vets did rule out a blockage so I guess the next step is the endoscopy. I just find it hard my little mate has something wrong that’s not easy to fix. He’s never been an ill pup!!

Thank you all for your suggestions so far, I might just ask if there definitely isn’t a blockage. We haven’t had a takeaway for a while but that’s not to say he’s been rooting around and found something to chew that I didn’t see!

OP posts:
TeddyBeans · 06/10/2023 21:43

Good luck, I hope they find what is causing it and it's a simple fix

Oldthyme · 06/10/2023 21:49

My first thought was blockage.
Do you give him leather chewy things like pigs ears or items like that?
They are so bad for dogs, esp the ones imported from China, hard to digest and chunks of them stick, undigested in the stomach.

Floralnomad · 07/10/2023 01:06

I assume he’s has bloods to rule out pancreatitis

Blanketpolicy · 07/10/2023 01:43

If you have insurance ask for a referral to the vet hospital. After weeks of messing around, thousands of pounds at the local vets on treatment /scans and our dog losing 4kg we took him to the vet hospital who diagnosed the issue within a few hours and for less money than we spent at the local vets.

The local vets admitted there was no point them doing an endoscopy because they do so few they are not expert in what to look for.

There may be a waiting list for the hospital, but you can cancel if he does get better.

vodkaredbullgirl · 07/10/2023 02:18

My lab has ibs (yes also in dogs). He is on a wheat free sensitive dog food. He has been on it for a few years now, not sick much now.

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 07/10/2023 07:33

Floralnomad · 07/10/2023 01:06

I assume he’s has bloods to rule out pancreatitis

Was coming on to say this. We had a rescue girl. Eventually diagnosed with pancreatitis at my persistence I may add. After 6 months I said it’s clearly not settling nerves any more.

Original poster
Rantypanties · 07/10/2023 15:03

I have to admit to coming on here cause I’m not overly happy with our vets, and being a bit cynical about their plan of treatment. They did say if we got an endoscopy we’d have to go elsewhere because they don’t do them so that would be a relief!

The vet wanted to wait a couple of weeks to see if the new food helped before referring to endoscopy but yesterday I fed him at 7.30am, went to work and then took him out for a walk at 2pm. He vomited whilst we were out so that food sat in his stomach for 5 hours, which would suggest to me he can’t digest food without the help of this medicine that I’ve just started giving him again.

the bloods came back ok except very low blood sugar and very low iron. She said she spoke to the lab and because he’s not suffering from anything that would be caused by these 2 low levels then they’re just discounting the levels as abnormalities.

Pancreatitis was my first thought too when I started googling, or IBD because his energy levels haven’t really changed…but I’m not sure whether spaniels allow things like severe pain get in the way of counter surfing or jumping up for hugs or desperately wanting to go for a walk!!!

OP posts:
WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 07/10/2023 15:07

I’d take him for a second opinion. Do you have insurance? Mine comes with access to a vet that I can get second opinions from.

Anothershitusername · 07/10/2023 15:11

Mine has megasophagus,caused by MG ,a muscle wasting disease
it means my dog has to be fed upright in a dog high chair and to stay upright for 15 minutes after food so gravity pushes the food down .
£2000 of tests and vet visits to get to this conclusion
and he’s still being sick about 4 times a day ,of foam and mucus and liquid

BiteyShark · 07/10/2023 15:18

My WCS was diagnosed with IBD around the age of 18 months. I can't remember the exact medical name but it was due to two different types of cells causing inflammation in the stomach and intestine,

After many months of issues with no treatment really working we ended up asking for invasive tests which resulted in an endoscopy with biopsy. The diagnosis was a relief as we knew it was more than just an upset stomach.

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 07/10/2023 17:09

I do feel bad but it’s also the reason why ddog isn’t allowed upstairs. I can cope with vomiting and diarrhoea on tile’s & parquet but not on carpet.

I do feel mean at times but she’s used to it now. Only comes upstairs if scared so I’ll go down with her if need be.

Original poster
Rantypanties · 20/10/2023 22:14

Thank you to everyone who commented. I’m now sat with my boy, having just got him back from vets. He had a cancerous mass in his small intestine, which has been removed however despite a clear ultrasound the vets did find polyps in his stomach so the cancer has probably started to spread.

I'm gutted, it really is the worst deal that dogs aren’t ‘designed’ to live longer. Rest assured he will be spoilt like a little Prince for as long as we’ve got him!

OP posts:
OldSpeclkledHen · 20/10/2023 22:36

Oh I'm really so sorry to read your update ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Houseplanter · 20/10/2023 22:54

Oh I'm so sorry. It's heartbreaking isn't it. Sending you a hug

Blanketpolicy · 21/10/2023 13:55

So sorry to hear your news OP.

Going by our own recent experience with stomach cancer in our dog, it will help that you have a diagnosis so you know what is happening and you can care for and make the right decisions for him at the right time for him, and you also get the opportunity to spoil him rotten.

Hoping his symptoms can be controlled so he is comfortable and sending you strength ❤

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