I'm not sure exactly how to deal with this...

[Camilla and Darwin]

I have looked up a lot of discussions on this, but I am hoping for an answer to my specific situation. Darwin got sick today. We came home from work, (We were gone for around 6 or 7 hours, and he had diarrhea in his crate. He has never, ever done this. He has had diarrhea before, but has never had an accident in our house. When we took him out, he threw up over and over, a mucus like substance... and I didn't see any food or anything in his vomit. Just yellow mucus looking stuff. 

We cleaned everything up, gave him water, and have been letting him rest. He hasn't thrown up for at least 4 hours, but he is very deadbeat. In the past when he's gotten sick from something, he's been pretty responsive afterwards. This time, he's pretty lethargic, won't keep his head up to look at me, etc. I wanted to give him a little something, so I offered him a tiny zukes mini. He wouldn't eat it. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED. Even after he has been sick in the past, he is well enough to eat boiled chicken or a little treat a few hours later. It has been half a day since he threw up.... and he won't even look at his favorite treat. 

His poop was completely normal this morning. I can't think of anything he could have gotten into that would have made him so sick. He was out of his crate for 1 or 2 hours, in the room with me this morning. Then he was in his crate until we got home. We had a chocolate cake on the table, but I looked at it and none of it was missing. It seems unlikely that he would get so sick from a few crumbs that may have been on the floor. 

My question, does this sound like a sickness like Giardia, or something else? He has gotten into things before... (A redvines rope once) and has thrown up, but has been much better afterwards. It's the classic question. Am I overreacting, or could it be an illness? 

[Camilla and Darwin]

I should also mention that although we got him to drink a little bit of water, he hasn't had any more than that. We haven't been able to get him to drink more. And I feel that he is probably somewhat dehydrated after all of that throw-up/diarrhea.

[cheryl & oliver]

Camillia will he chew some ice cubes, just to make sure he doesn't get dehyrated. When Oliver refuses to drink enough I give him ice cubes, he loves them...Hope he is better soon...I would take him to your vet, or at least call and see what they say...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would probably take my dog to the vet to be checked out if he had both diarrhea and threw up and then continued not to eat or drink. Lots of times I would take a wait and see attitude, but I worry when they won't drink.

[Camilla and Darwin]

That is what worries me as well.

[Camilla and Darwin]

no, his gums are their usual pink.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I personally would wait til morning and see what that brings. He hasn't been vomiting for four hours, and that one spate of mucus like vomiting with episode of diarrhea should not be enough to dehydrate him especially since he drank some water. Are his mouth and nose moist? If he were my dog I'd observe him overnight and bring him to the vet if he continued to be lethargic, wouldn't drink etc. Of course if he dramatically worsened overnight I'd take him to the emergency vet.But I tend to be a watchful waiter and I'm comfortable with that.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thanks for responding even though it is kind of late everyone. He did just drink a little more water. His nose and mouth are still wet, and he hasn't thrown up since. So I think I will wait until morning. If he continues to not eat anything, and act lethargic, we'll take him to the vet. And sorry for the panicky post! It's so hard to know if I'm over or under-reacting. :-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Just saw this post. How is Darwin this a.m.? I hope he's better!
It doesn't sound like giardia to me.

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

Yes! How is Darwin?? I really hope he's feeling better.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Darwin is a lot better this morning. He was excited and wagging his tail when I got him out of his crate this morning. He ate a cup of food, and drank a lot of water. He did calm down really fast, and is kind of moping around... but I think that may be exhaustion from yesterday's sickness. I feel horrible... because I have no idea what caused this. He was in his crate... so he didn't have access to anything during the day. What could have caused him to become so ill? Perhaps something in the morning, but I was watching him the whole time...

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

So glad to hear that Darwin is feeling better.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

It is almost impossible to guess what Darwin could have gotten into. If you take him on walks or to the dog park they can pick up a little hunk of something they think is tasty and you won't even see that they have eaten it. When their noses are to the ground you just never know. I guess they could even eat an insect of some sort that maybe had been hit bit some insecticide and that could do it. And that, he could get in his own yard. Sick insects can fly right in and you would never know it! I'm glad to hear Darwin is much better. Probably tomorrow he will be back to himself. It's always scary when your "baby" is not acting normal and is sick. Give him a kiss from Gracie Doodle.