Not Eating, Throwing Up Bile

[Guest QS24]

My dog has been eating here and there, just nibbles at his food. He has been throwing up bile daily and especially after he gets excited about something. He has diarrhea the too.

Hep has had blood work and an exray. All negative. Has been on antibiotics 2times. Any ideas about what could be wrong? 0k Dr's don't have a clue!

He has lost a lot of weight.

[Batmom]

When did this start? What was he on antibiotics for? What is he fed? Where are you located?

[greytpups]

More often than not, when a dog throws up bile, they are hungry and a snack before bed usually helps. We'd need more details, including when he throws up bile to help. Perhaps the antibiotics affect his appetite causing a catch 22 situation.

[Guest QS24]

I live in So Cal. This has been going on for 2 months or so. He too the antibiotics 2 months ago and no longer takes them. Tried different kibble for sensitive stomah stomach and throws it up. THe was earing Bill Jac then tried the nitro sensiblestomach. Now put a little cheese on it to get him to eat but throws it up. Of course his stools are loose too. The docsthought he may have had an intestinal infection is the reason for the aantibiotics.

[Batmom]

Does he throw up everything he eats? What about water?

 

Might be time for a specialist . Hope you can get to the bottom of things.

[BatterseaBrindl]

Yes.... find a different vet.

Have they done any ultrasounds/Xrays?

How old is he and how long have you had him?

 

And... what is his name?

 

[Guest QS24]

Hi name is Quinn and he is 7.They took an Xray and negative. I Aloeof money has been spent and tests and nothing shows up. In the mmeantime. Excelling he is getting thinner and thinner.

Oops cross out Excelling. Spell check thought it would look good there.

[Batmom]

What did they take an x-ray of?

 

If he can keep down water, you might try liquefying his food to see if that will stay down better. You can grind up kibble in a cheap Osterizer (makes a heck of a noise, but it works) then add a lot of water to make a slurry. It might be worth trying this with the Hills Z/D Ultra hypoallergenic food rather than just any kibble.

[Guest QS24]

We've had him for 3 almost 4 years. I think.

[msjpk]

Don't like the way this sounds. Has Quinn been given any stomach acid meds?

In the meantime he is losing weight I would buy a supplement like liquid Ensure-vanilla- and give it to him.

Did they do blood work? Call the vet again or go see another vet.

[Guest QS24]

Is that Hills from the vet?

That's a nice pic dedication to Plummer. Looks like you just lost him I'm sorry. We had lost one in Oct 2012.

[Guest QS24]

Yes to the stomach mess and that's a good idea on the ensure. I think he willthrow it up. When he gets really excited throws up too. That's the problem money and no answers. He's seen 2 vets.

Sorry he has been given stomach acid meds and blood work.

[3greytjoys]

Do you know the states in which Quinn raced previously? (If not, his racing name could help.) Important that your vets know his previous location history.

 

Agree that Greyhounds often vomit bile if they go too long without food, but abnormal to vomit all food/water. Veterinary offices offer extra high calorie, extra yummy canned dog foods for sensitive patients - very helpful during extreme loss of appetite. Also a high calorie gel additive is available, but our hounds go nuts over the veterinary patients' canned food.

 

Tick-borne disease testing could be important.

 

Good to be aware of a few medical conditions sometimes seen in Greyhounds who raced in Arizona or the Caliente track in Mexico. (Just guessing Quinn's possible tracks.) Babesiosis, Ehrlichia, and other tick-borne diseases can lay dormant for years. Long chronic infection can progress to organ disease, etc.

 

Cocciodiodomycosis, also known as "Valley Fever" (breathing fungal spores) is also seen in S.W. states, including California.

 

Parasites, Giardia, etc.: If previous stool sample test was negative, important to test several weeks later to reveal previously undetected egg growth.

[Guest QS24]

Quinn raced in Arizona. He was a David Blair dog. He takes good care of his dogs . Thankyou for all the iinformation. Very helpful. I am not sure if a stool sample was taken or not. You know one thing I did not mention is about 4 months ago he was given half an aleve. He lives with my ex boyfriend and I am going by what he is telling me.

[3greytjoys]

Quinn's condition sounds like he needs a vet visit very soon. Dogs can dehydrate quickly in his condition. If unhappy with prior vet, perhaps ask a local Greyhound adoption group for another Greyhound savvy vet. If different vet, take copy of Quinn's prior vet records. (Some vets might offer a reduced payment program or pet assistance program.) Very helpful to make list of all symptoms for vet (+ if blood is in stool or vomit), and any behavioral changes. Include life changes that may be affecting Quinn (if residential move, job/hours change, new animals in house, etc.). Some dogs hesitate to eat if they're feeling highly anxious about something when meal is offered. Dental pain, or hot weather are possible factors, but wouldn't explain vomiting food, unless eating too close to exercise time.

 

I believe Naproxen (Aleve) is toxic to dogs, and overdose can cause kidney failure. I'm not a vet and I didn't check harmful levels, but 1/2 tablet doesn't seem high enough dose to be harmful after 4 months. Best to mention to vet.

 

Please ensure Quinn is not nibbling any poisonous plants in house or yard. Trying to nibble plants is common with upset tummy. Hopefuly, your ex is being careful to only let him outside while supervised for quick potty outings, especially in heat.

 

Inflammatory bowel disease, or pancreatitis could be possibilities but vets likely would have considered those first.

 

Vet can provide medication and food to handle Quinn's diarrhea. Once he begins keeping food down, the bile problem may be eliminated. A stool sample could be key, and may result in an easy solution. (If doing so, good to drop off fresh stool sample to vet's office within one hour of Quinn's elimination, or refrigerate sample immediately, then transport on ice within the day.)

Please let us know how Quinn progresses.

[greytpups]

Have you had an ultra sound done on Quinn? We had xrays taken for Bailey but it was the ultrasound that determined what made her ill.

[Guest QS24]

Hi,

Yes they took xrays, however, money is an issue here, ultrasounds are a lot. We noticed in that the vet had not taken an fecal test or urine. Also. Quinn has not been receiving his inceptor for 4 mos or so. I thout he wwa throwing up 3 times a day or so more he said it is more like 3 -4 times a week. But either wont eat or just nibbles at his food.

[Guest QS24]

Thank you everyone for all your advice. We will try some of them and will let you know.

[msjpk]

You can contact Dr. Couto at OSU, He is very helpful.

 

Another thing is, if you can get a video of Quinn vomiting it can be helpful. E mail to vet.

 

Dogs can vomit from the stomach or regurgitate before it gets to stomach. I learned this from my experience with Plummer. Plummer continued to vomit, we had x ray done of escphogos (sp?) and stomach. In Plummer's case, no obvious evidence of anything. My vet just sensed something was going on, so did I.

[3greytjoys]

 

Quinn has not been receiving his inceptor for 4 mos or so.

Just a quick share about heartworms (that your ex might not be aware). Mosquitoes are active all year in California. so heartworm preventative is important to keep current. Monthly preventative is cheaper than medically battling a heartworm infected dog. Heartworms kill dogs. The preferred medication required to battle an existing heartworm condition has been in short supply; therefore, limited supply could be more expensive. Heartworm infected dogs continue to infect other animals transmitted by future mosquito bites.

Considering financial concerns, the following option might be of interest: "VIP PetCare" is a mobile pet clinic that offers free heartworm testing for the pet when purchasing heartworm preventative. (Quinn would need a new heartworm test before restarting preventative now.) Also, they offer basic fecal testing (tests are completed in a reputable outside laboratory).

Important: VIP is NOT a replacement for veterinary care, physical exams, nor for any veterinary specialty concerns (like Quinn's eating and vomiting problems). Quinn still needs a full-service veterinarian to resolve his current medical condition.

www.happypet.com

Salmonella mimics Quinn's symptoms too.

(This may have nothing to do with Quinn's issue, but there was a very limited Bil Jac food recall last year for food expiring later this year in December, 2013.)

Positive thoughts for a quick diagnosis and speedy treatment.