Dog keeps throwing up.

[Meg]

My 15 year old collie bitch vomits at least once a day. I've been to the vet's a lot about this. First Zantac was prescribed, which didn't really help. Then Antepsin in conjuction with the Zantac, she went 10 days without throwing up but now the problem is back. She had blood tests done last week, the results were very good for a dog of her age. Vet suggested changing her diet to Purina gastroENteric canned food and only giving her chicken as treats, done this but no change.
Apart from the 10 minutes when the sickness comes over her (and the barffing is over with) she is very happy. Loves her food, enjoys her walks and plays with her toys
If anyone else has experience of this I welcome your advice Thanks for listeningxx.

[LoftyLottie]

Can't help Miss Meg, but just wanted to tell you that I have exactly the same problem at the moment with my 15 year old dog. Blood tests are our next step. His appetite doesn't seem very good at the moment though after a week or two of this. x

[Meg]

Thanks Lottie, lets hope somebody gives some advice which will help both of usxx

[divegirl]

Hi, the only thing I can think of is natural yogurt. I use this if my dogs have an upset stomach to re-balance their gut.
What food are you giving now?

Lisa x

[divegirl]

Oh....and what's their poop like? Sorry had to ask....lol

[Meg]

Thanks Lisa, I'm feeding her little and often on the Purina tinned food and fresh chicken. Her poo is normal!!

[divegirl]

Is she still vomiting with that diet?

[Meg]

She started the diet on Tuesday. So far it has made no difference whatsoever.

[divegirl]

You could try the yogurt then....it certainly won't do any harm. I'm going to give a friend a ring see if he has any suggestions....might not reply for a while, but 'I will be back'!!!! lol

Lisa x

[kita1]

Is she vomiting food or bile?

How often do you feed her?

[Meg]

Thanks kita. It's usually yellow bile. At the moment I'm trying her on 4 meals a day.

[divegirl]

Sorry...taken me ages to get back on here!
Not much more to offer....but was she ever given anti-b's for gastro? Has your vet asked for a poop sample? It could be that she has a highly resistant 'bug'.
That said, try not to worry too much....like you have said she's fine apart from the vomiting.....so for 15 yrs old she ain't doing bad :O}
Hmmmm....that said....I know it's hard not to worry.....for me it's worse when one of the dogs is ill [rather than the kids] because they just can't tell you what's wrong :O{

Lisa x

[Meg]

Thanks Lisa, no the vet has not asked for a poo sample. Think the next step will be an ultra sound scan to see if there is a foreign body in her stomach. This has been going on for 4 months!! She hasn't been sick at all today (as yet) probably the first time in 2 months we've had a vomit free day. Maybe the diet is starting to work. I will try to get some yogurt down her, as you say it can't do any harm. Thanks for your interest, Wendyxx (ps meg is my dog's name).

[kita1]

At least she is keeping the food down.

Does it usually happen overnight/early morning?

I just wonder if it is because her stomach is empty and the acid is irritating her. Some people give a biscuit last thing at night - just so the stomach is not laying empty with the stomach acid irritating the lining.

I had a BSD that used to bring bile up (usually at night). She did this for the last two/three years of her life. Never found out what caused it as she was fine otherwise and I did not want to put her through any 'procedures' at her age.

May be, as long as she has a clean bill of health from the vet, it is just best to leave well alone?

[divegirl]

Have to agree with Kita there there on the early morning timing thing.....if my dogs have to wait for their brekkie you can bet your life my Dane bitch will be sick...
It's really hard to know what to suggest....but I'd go with a poop sample first!

Lisa x

[Meg]

Thanks all for your help. The problem is not related to her stomach being empty. She is fine overnight, but generally throws up at 4pm, after being fed at noon. I'm not keen on having any further investigation done, if this is how she is so be it.
Kita, I note you had this problem for quite a long time, maybe I will be the same. The old biddy is fast asleep on her duvet now, not a care in the world. If she's happy, i'm happy.
Thanks, Wendy and Megxx