Throwing up occassionally

[Judith and Addie]

I don't know whether I should be concerned or not. My 5 month old puppy has thrown up several times in the past week. Last Sundaay, less than 10 minutes after I gave her her heartworm pill (Iverhart max), she threw up. It was mostly water with a little mucus, a little food, and of course the pill partially chewed. Two days later, she took her pill successfully. After a romp in the dog park two days later, she threw up water with some mucus. Another two days, and it was water with some mucus again. Yesterday evening after her walk before bedtime, she threw up water, mucus and probably most of her food that she had eater an hour or so previous. She had eaten only half of what was in her bowl.

I was feeding her small pieces of treats as we walked trying to train her to walk properly rather than jumping for my hand for untying my shoelaces. She didn't act as though she was ill.

Her food is Orijin grain-free puppy and the treats are also Orijin, the formulation with chicken, turkey, etc. I add less than a teaspoon of organic coconut oil to her evening kibble and her bedtime snack is a frozen kong with about 1 tbs of plain greek yogurt.

I have her diet restricted because her poops are hard and formed first thing in the morning, but become softer with each poop. This past week, the PM poops have been pudding-like. I noticed this AM that she also has a case of puppy vaginitis again.

All this sounds bad as I write it, but she is active, playful, and doesn't appear ill. 

I forgot to mention that she coughs/gags fairly often and has since I can remember.

Should I call her vet tomorrow?

[charlotte bednarsh]

I would definitely contact the vet to see if anything else is going on.  I would write down all the symptoms and show the list to the vet so you can make sure each question is answered.  Just in terms of the food issue, I struggled with my labradoodle's food when he was very young (he is now 4) and tried the most expensive foods, but his stool was always loose.  He is now on Natural Balance Limited and that seems to work.  Every dog is different, and I think doodles can have sensitive stomachs. In terms of the other symtoms ie., cough etc., I definitely would call the vet asap.

[Olivia & Chanel]

I would call the vet. Her symptoms seem consistent with giardia which is common with puppies but can also be symptomatic. But the main symptoms are soft stools and vomiting.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, you need to call the vet.

I don't think any of this is caused by food, but I would stop the coconut oil; it has no benefits for dogs whatsoever, and adding fats to the diet can contribute to loose stool. 

It sounds like what you are describing is regurgitation rather than vomiting. There is a difference. With regurgitation, the food is coming up before digestion has taken place, and there is no retching or heaving first. The food looks pretty much like it did when it went in. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=2809

Regurgitation can happen if the dog exercises before or after eating, which it sounds like might be the case with your pup. Excessive water consumption before, during or after vigorous exercise can also cause it. 

You might talk to your vet about an alternative to Iverhart, since it sounds like that may have been what triggered all this. 

Whatever you do, don't buy Rx food if your vet recommends a "bland diet"; you can make your own bland diet of chicken and rice or sweet potatoes a lot cheaper, and it will be much healthier than the Rx crap.

I don't think this sounds like giardia at all, but it does sound like a digestive issue. I don't want to scare you, but coughing and gagging along with regurgitation are also symptoms of a very serious disease, megaesophagus, so you do need to get her checked out. 

[Judith and Addie]

Thank you, all.

I will call the vet first thing tomorrow morning. I'll let you know how she is doing.

[Judith and Addie]

Update on Addie's throwing up:

We went to the vet yesterday afternoon The vet was not concerned about my puppy vomiting or regurgitation water, especially since she had been exercising. She was more concerned about her bringing up food. She thinks Addie has a bit of a stomach upset and put her on a bland diet for a couple days, easing back into her regular diet in three days. She also put her on medication to settle her digestive tract: 1/2 gram of sucralfate dissolve in water. The vet doesn't  think that further diagnostics is warranted at this point but if Addie continues with more episodes, she will consider testing  for esophagus abnormalities, etc.

Because  her regular puppy food is based on poultry and fish protein, I bought ground chicken and have mixed it with rice, and a little sweet potato. She is much more enthusiastic about it than her regular puppy kibble so I am already cringing about switching her back to her kibble. I am certain I will get dirty looks for a while.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I hope the medication helps. Thanks for the update and please keep us posted.