Dog barfing with NO symptoms of anything. HELP!!

thaddy1978 · 01-03-2009, 07:42 PM

HELP!!! Duke pukes! We can't figure it out! Just as soon as it goes down, it comes back up. It stopped when we soaked his food before feeding him, then started again later. He will go through a time when he does not puke at all and then it starts again.

Most recent: Wasn't puking much (for a few weeks), spent almost two weeks out of town with Duke at my parents place...no barf! Came home and began puking again.

Not a very active dog...mainly because we aren't. Does not seem to have any other symptoms. Vet said (a few months ago) no worms, virus, or anything that she could see. He's a Golden. Can be just as active as any other dog.

Could it be stress? We have a two year old wild man running around and a 7 month old. We don't give him as much attention as he probably needs...will a god barf for attention? Please help.

We are planning on giving him away, but I don't want to do it without finding out what is wrong with him.

BoxMeIn21 · 01-03-2009, 07:47 PM

Definitely have a vet check this out...Is it actual stomach bile or is it more like regurgitated food?

whimsy · 01-03-2009, 07:47 PM

You don't say why you are giving him away. Could the dog be sensing you are distancing yourself from him? In that case I'm sure the dog would be extremely stressed. How old is the dog, how long have you had him? Again, why are you giving him away, dogs aren't disposible items but members of a family. Would you consider giving one of your kids up?

thaddy1978 · 01-03-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoxMeIn21

Definitely have a vet check this out...Is it actual stomach bile or is it more like regurgitated food?

Every-so-often it's bile, usually it's his food, as soon as he is done eating it. He'll even do it with his favorite, cheese.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whimsy

You don't say why you are giving him away. Could the dog be sensing you are distancing yourself from him? In that case I'm sure the dog would be extremely stressed. How old is the dog, how long have you had him? Again, why are you giving him away, dogs aren't disposible items but members of a family. Would you consider giving one of your kids up?

I give him dog food, among other things. He eats fairly healthy. Allergic to chicken and corn. His food, according to the label does not have by-products, corn, or chicken. The dog is almost 3 years old and we've had him since a pup. I understand that dogs aren't disposable, however there are issues beyond our control at the moment. Son just got diagnosed with asthma and it's getting worse, Doc thinks it may be related to the dog dander. I am a student and work full time and my wife takes care of the kids all day, at the end of the day none of us gets any exercise, even the dog. Because I am a student and with previous student loans, we are low on cash...not that big of a deal, but around here, rent is getting higher for places that will take a dog. Without a dog, we could save up to $200 per month. My dog does not get the attention he needs. So, with that said, would it be worse to keep him, or find a fun-loving active family who can care better for his needs than we can at the moment? He has been a great member of the family and a peace of mind, knowing that while I am at work he is there watching over the family--I love my dog and it breaks my heart to think about giving him away, but it may be what's better for all of us. And we did not come to this decision until today, so he has not been sensing that.

FREYKA · 01-03-2009, 11:00 PM

You are taking the right desicition, I long time a go did the same with a black lab, she was very sweet and we did not have the energy that she had. We pay more money to give her a good home that the actiolly price we spend in getting her, but it was worted the pease of mind that she is doing great and went to a house were we know she gets love and attention every day, They have another gog, a male and she have somebody to play with. About the barking, I know is a lot of work but until you find her a house write down the amount of solids she gets in and liquids and also if he goes to the bathroom time it like you would do it with a sick person, with that in mind, remember that bowel movement works better if we walk, but if you can,t try to play fetch, but just go around the block is easier. if you want to find her a home try ksl.com works great!!. Hope everything goes well.

mle · 01-03-2009, 11:27 PM

Since your dog has known allergies, my first thought was that he may have other allergies that you aren't aware of. My sister's doxie was doing this for quite awhile, and we determined it was due to two separate issues. The first was that he INHALED his food, and would literally make himself sick afterward because he simply ate too fast. The other problem (which we were able to solve) was that he has a very sensitive stomach. We were able to find a food which did not irritate his stomach, and he was a million times better after that. Eventually he also grew out of the speed eating too, so now he's great

You did say that he's about 3, and I'm wondering if this is a recent occurrence, or if he's done this for awhile? Have you switched his food at all? Has anything else changed? Though my first thought would be the food sensitivities, it's possible that his issues could be stress-related as well.

cshellenberger · 01-04-2009, 01:44 AM

There are alot of things that could be causing this, yes, it could be stress, but it could be many other things as well. The ONLY reliable way to find out is to get him to a vet during one of his 'episodes'. We really can't diagnose him on the internet.

thaddy1978 · 01-04-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mle

The first was that he INHALED his food, and would literally make himself sick afterward because he simply ate too fast. The other problem (which we were able to solve) was that he has a very sensitive stomach. We were able to find a food which did not irritate his stomach...

You did say that he's about 3, and I'm wondering if this is a recent occurrence, or if he's done this for awhile? Have you switched his food at all? Has anything else changed? Though my first thought would be the food sensitivities, it's possible that his issues could be stress-related as well.

Yes, he does have a tendency to eat on the speedy side. How did you find out yours had a sensitive stomach? We have switched his food a few times (taking the proper steps in changing over his food). We feed him all kinds of extras...something we have done since he was a pup. But, we stick to the healthier stuff--eggs, cheese, carrots, etc.

When he started his major puking bout, roughly two months ago. He has done it before, but not immediately after eating and not a much or as often. Again, while he was at my parents place for almost two weeks, nothing. two days after getting here, it starts. I can't keep doing the vet visits...We had taken him not too long ago for this reason and the vet said he checked out fine. No problems. Vet gave us some special canned dog food, which he barfed up on occasion too.

We may change his food to the more expensive stuff we used to buy when he rarely puked. Also, since he would eat--and just as soon as he finished drinking his water he would puke, I changed his water to some 'by the gallon' from the store. Just did this tonight, we'll see if this changes his spotting my carpet all over the place.

lillie20 · 01-06-2009, 11:00 AM

If it's coming up right after eating, yes is eating too fast and taking in air. Been battling vomit problem since getting mine, almost 2 now. No allergies, but changed food which helped tremendously. Got away from chicken. Also, feed 3 times a day, so not as anxious to eat. Can't go long on empty stomach, will bring up bile. Also, give a pecid at night. My vet had no real solution, except to do expensive tests. Good Luck.

BoxMeIn21 · 01-06-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lillie20

If it's coming up right after eating, yes is eating too fast and taking in air. Been battling vomit problem since getting mine, almost 2 now. .

Has your vet ruled out megaesophagus?

http://www.peteducation.com/article....2+2109&aid=848

lillie20 · 01-06-2009, 12:51 PM

Megaesophahus causes regurgitation. Mine would vomit, not always, but likely once or twice a week after eating. Now its maybe once a month. My dog was crated or confined to part of the house. Therefore anything that he did was visible. Not sure if me changing the food or he is just outgrowing the problem. Either way I'll take it.

thaddy1978 · 01-06-2009, 08:12 PM

Thanks everyone for your advice/comments. I don't know what to do. At first I saw the symptoms for megaesophagus and though, that's it!! But then I read the difference between vomiting and regurgitation. Mine vomits! Still, since he's been home he has been eating out of his bowls off the floor, I accidentally left his feeding stand I built (at least 16 inches off the ground) at my parents place. That could have some to do with it right now. By that I mean he has had these episodes before using the feeding stand.

Speed-eating, we are trying to slow that down. Funny thing is though...I have the good sized kitchen baby-gated off. He generally manages to hold it in until he hits his favorite barf spots on the carpet.

Called the vet today, the same one we had taken him to for back at the end of August. She said, well, bring him back in and we'll deworm him and give him his updated vaccinations. Eh...? She dewormed his for the last visit and I believe he is up to date on his vaccinations. Besides, would updating those make a difference?

We did switch his food to what the vet suggested, science diet for sensitive stomachs, that's coming up too. Right now he is closed in the kitchen with a rice, veg. oil, and brewers rice mix. Keeping it down, but we'll see if that changes once I let him out.

The vet has given him meds and a special food last time and it didn't seem to work.

Can he have antacids? Chewable or pill form, and what brand? I wonder if that's his problem.

agility collie mom · 01-06-2009, 11:44 PM

Here's a link that describes a condition that you may want to discuss with your vet. http://www.grca.org/health/bigfour_swallow.html

Hope this helps.

thaddy1978 · 01-12-2009, 04:25 PM

Good news and bad news...

Good news: They found nothing wrong with my dog
Bad news: They found nothing wrong with my dog and it cost me $200.

Yep, they did a physical exam, blood work, and x-rays and they showed nothing!! Now what? Well, he has not thrown up in the last several days. They gave us some anti-barfing pills that my wife asked for for him after hearing a story about a friends dog that had the same problem the night before. So far the stuff has worked. Would have been nice though, to know what was causing the barfing!