can not keep anything down
Submitted by slobberchops on June 21, 2012 - 11:23amSince yesterday my 7 year old english bulldog has been throwing up everything in his system. At first it was his kibble and a brown liquid. Today we took him off kibble and fed him just rice. He vomited all the rice and a mucus looking fluid. He is a little lethargic but still drinking and doing #1 and 2. We called the vet and can not get an appointment til monday.
Yesterday it hit 99 degrees and today the same. The only time he goes outside is to go to bathroom. We have central air n its very cool in our house. Could it be the heat or a virus? I wonder if it just needs to go through his system like us humans and run its coarse?
I have been through this many times
I would stop feeding altogether for 24 hours to rest the stomach then feed as usual. Make sure lots of water is availavle. I give pedialyte in place of water.
These are my vet`s instructions and it works every time.
However if loose stools accompany the vomiting, then hydration is an issue and a vet trip is in order without waiting.
Thank you for sending a reply
Thank you for sending a reply so quickly. We've been keeping an eye on him when he goes to the bathroom and testing his skin/fur for dehydration. So far so good with both. Can Powerade or Gatorade also be given instead of Pedialyte? Often, our son's doctor tells us that that's fine. Thanks again,
Dehydration test
When testing dehydration in a dog it is the gums you want to check. Press a finger on the gum (hold it for a few seconds, then release) to see how quickly the spot returns to the nice pink color after you pull your finger off.
Check the sugar content with those, compaired to the Pedialyte. You want something that replaces the electrolites.
Pedialyte, a brand-name fluid and mineral replacement therapy, is used to treat dehydration and nutrient loss from diarrhea and vomiting in children. If you're an athlete, Pedialyte can help quickly replace minerals and water lost during exercise, competition and extreme heat. The ingredients help promote rapid fluid and mineral absorption in the small intestine. Other types of drinks can be too high in sugar and too low in minerals to replenish vital nutrients.
dehydration
Thanks for your message. We had only heard of the test on fur/skin. We will try it on his gums.
Is he keeping water down?
Does he have a temperature?
I had a virus with my dogs a couple of years ago that was exactly what you are describing. Lasted about 24-48 hours of vomiting, anything they ate. They picked it up at a dog show and it went through all 3 before the week was over. I lost a lot of sleep and was doing alot of washing.
My regular vet was on vacation and by the time I was able to get into my old vet it had passed through so i cancelled the appointment.
Try to get pedialyte into him so he doesn't get dehydrated. You can freeze it into ice cubes if he likes ice cubes. Mine think ice cubes are treats, especially the Crown Royal marinated ones :)
Hope it's nothing more serious then a 24 hr bug.
keeping some water down
He doesn't have a temperature. He is drinking some pedialyte. That's a great idea about the ice cubes - he thinks they're treats, too. He hasn't thrown up again so we will keep him on pedialyte through the night and feed him tomorrow morning.
Thanks again!
Give him a light meal
when you try to feed him tomorrow morning...and just make sure he is still pooping.
light meal tomorrow
I made some rice that we will feed him tomorrow in small batches. He seems to be doing better and did eat a few pedialyte ice cubes. Fingers crossed that he can eat some tomorrow and go to the bathroom.
Thanks again.
not sure about feeding this morning
Unfortunately, we wok up to find three spots of spit up with yello bile - on spot had some green in it. He took another pedialyte ice cube this morning. He won't drink the pedialyte so we gave him a small amount of water. After straining to poop, he did a bit (a few solid pieces). Then he came in and threw up the water with some yellow bile. We aren't sure if since he has an empty stomach that we should give him a small amount of rice or hold off. We can get a vet appt for Monday. What do you think?
The straining concerns me
the yellow bile is because his tummy is empty and green could be he was eating grass. But the straining to poop is a concern for me if he is constipated. But he could just not have much in there. Is he trying to go and can't then wants out to try and go again? I really think he needs a vet and honestly I would want to get him in before Monday. Is there a possibility he could have swallowed a toy, part of a toy, or something from the yard?
Are you giving him pumpkin? I would not give rice if he's constipated. He needs something to get his bowels moving and that is as much fluid as you can get into him. Get pumpkin (just plain canned) and freeze those into ice cubes and give those to him an give him as many pedialyte ice cubes as he will take. If he gets dehydrated and has a blockage it destroys his intestines.
will try pumpkin
We think so too - his belly is empty since he hasn't eaten in 24 hrs. He had a few more pedialyte ice cubes and I am making pumpkin ice cubes. I called our vet again and still no openings. They suggested giving him boiled ground beef so he can get protein in him. We just gave him 1/2 ground beef with 1/2 rice in a small portion. So far so good but we are keeping a close watch. He followed me around as I was putting the beef away and keeps licking his empty bowl so he does have an appetite.
We really appreciated your continued advice!
Let's hope he keeps something
in his tummy. Poor guy! As soon as he quits vomiting you should feel better.
Hooray!
He ate two small servings of boiled beef with a bit of rice and several pumpkin cubes (which he loves - thanks!). He is also looking and acting like he has more energy. We won't overdue it with food and, yes, we do feel better now that he hasn't vomited.
Very Good! Sounds like
the bug mine had and he's on the road to recovery. Just as long as he poops he should be fine.
Now I know
...... this may not be the healthiest suggestion but we once gave Tucker some gatorade when he was sick and wouldn't drink any water. Not alot but it had more flavour and I think that's why he drank it. Our vet suggested it and once again, i know it's not the healthiest. Just an idea and i'm no vet or expert.
Good luck and hope he's feeling better soon.
Katie & Tucker a.k.a "Porkchop"
I think it is time for a vet check at this point
We cannot just assume why he is still vomiting, even if it is just stomach juices. I would take him in. The vet can more efficiently check for hydration and cause of his vomiting.
In pediatrics we give pedialyte for 24 hours then back to eating full diet. After 24 hours "starvation stools "(loose) can begin and hence another issue. Not that they are starving but the gut needs food. Of course, this is in kids and vets know best.
Best of luck with your boy.
Deborah and Mr. Higgins