Help! Vomiting advice please.

[Photinie Koutsavlis]

Hi everyone - I used this forum the last time I had a medical issue with my 2 1/2 years old tiny golden doodle, and the advice was very helpful, that I thought I would ask for your help again.

My goldendoodle, Pixie - vomitted about 6 times the other night, it started with her food contents and then turned into a brown liquid - nothing changed in her diet, nor did she have any treats that she hadn't had before - but who knows if she ate something she shouldn't of had when outside.  

We took her to the vet, they did an x-ray and it came back normal - and was diagnosed with possible gastroenteritis - she has been on a bland diet (although she prefer the beef to the rice, and eats around the rice).  She had stopped vomiting for about a day, and then yesterday she threw up some yellow liquid (I assume bile) and then threw up twice more. 

We went back to the vet, they did another x-ray (looked normal) and they are doing a blood test.  She is now on metronidazole, had a cernia injection and have 4 cernia tablets for the next few days.  She still sticks her nose up at the rice and would rather just eat beef - she is acting quite normal and still playful.

I would rather not have her on a bunch of meds - and again we need to find out the results of the wellness profile blood test, and fingers crossed it comes back normal.

Any of this sound familiar to you? Any advice and suggestions that you can provide?

Thank you kindly.

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

For the diet: substitute cooked, mashed sweet potatoes for the rice. It's more nutritious and she may like it better. Use a 50-50 mixture of the beef and sweet potatoes, and feed about one cup for every 10 lbs of body weight per day.

Any time a dog is on metronidazole, they also need to be on a good probiotic. I recommend Proviable DC, which you will have to order on-line. Be sure to give the probiotics at least 2 hours apart from the meds. You will need to continue the probiotics for at least 2 weeks after the meds are finished. 

Be aware that wellness blood panels don;t show everything, especially when it comes to gastrointestinal issues. There is something called a GI panel that many general practice vets are not aware of. It's fairly expensive and must be sent out to TAMU. It measures only three things: cobalamin, folate, and something called a TLi ratio. If the blood panel comes back normal, and the vomiting doesn't resolve, I'd ask the vet to run a GI panel. 

Also, a B12 shot often helps in these cases, regardless of the results of blood panels. You might ask for one, it's inexpensive and harmless. 

Hope Pixie is feeling better soon. 

[Photinie Koutsavlis]

Thank you kindly - I also think that you helped out last time with Pixie's diarrhea and your advice was spot on - I have been using Proviable DC for her on an ongoing basis - and will do so now as well, so once a day should be fine, even if she has the metronidazole twice a day?

What does the B12 shot do?

Thank you for the information on the blood test - hopefully we won't need it.  This came on so fast and sudden - not certain what it can be.

Thanks again.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The Proviable should be given according to the package directions, I'm not sure if it's once or twice a day, but it's not related to how often she gets the metronidazole.

B12 helps with the absorption and utilization of certain other nutrients, among many other functions. Dogs with digestive issues often develop a B12 deficiency, and that in turn can lead to an imbalance in other nutrients. It's kind of a circular effect. A B12 shot often just helps the patient feel better, too. It's a water soluble vitamin, so absolutely harmless. 

[Pauline Rackley]

Did the vet test for pancreatitis?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Pancreatitis is quite painful, and dogs who have it usually aren't active or playful. Here's a good discussion about it, with symptoms,diagnosing and treatment info: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...

[Photinie Koutsavlis]

Thanks, the blood results will be in tomorrow. She continues to vomit a watery, yellow substance - sometimes along with food. She isn't interested in her food at all, an I even made her eggs, her favorite. She has moments of being a little active - but definitely quite quiet and laying down more. My heart breaks for her - hopefully this too shall pass. Thanks again for your help

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry she is unwell.  I hope your test results  guide you to  a diagnosis that you can easily treat.

[c zoomer]

Please keep us abreast of how Pixie is responding to the veterinarian's care and what caused her to be sick.

My vet was especially concerned about dehydration when Dinah threw up.  She went right to fluid injection.  A bit of overkill for the amount regurgitated, but a good idea after being on an airplane. Keep her fluids normal.  Homemade broth very low/no salt.  Even the low salt Chicken broth I purchased had substantial salt.  

Wishing Pixie a speedy recovery.---- Dinah Doodle

[Photinie Koutsavlis]

Thank you - she had another rough night - hopefully we will have some progress today.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am also concerned about dehydration. My guy has IBD, and when he has had a flare, his vet has always given him a bolus of fluids under the skin. He's also been on Cerenia several times, and it always stops the vomiting almost immediately. I think if this were my dog, I'd ask for an ultrasound, to be sure there isn't something in the GI tract that doesn't show up on Xrays. At the very least, I think I'd take her in for fluids. 

[Photinie Koutsavlis]

Thanks for your advice - she has been in for fluids three times now, and I am also managing small sips at home today.  She's had two x-rays so far, and two vets have consulted and don't think there is anything that is blocked - but I will certainly mention it to them.

The cerenia has worked with Pixie, but last night she woke up dry heaving and then threw up a lot of bile again - so am waiting for the call on the results of her blood test and then take it from there. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A foreign body can be present in the digestive system without a blockage. The problem is that it's still indigestible and will just sit in there, and that causes an inflammatory response. That's often how IBD starts.