Help me to figure out what is wrong with my dog...

[Dave G]

I have a rescued dog from the local animal shelter.
Yesterday he threw up twice and both times the vomit was larger than any stool he produces.
The shelter told me to go to a vet, but I can't afford it. I am hoping one of you guys would know something about the symptoms. There is no blood, he just blows chunks.
Is it possible that over-eating would cause this? I don't have any trash in the house, nor did I yesterday. Could it be the big rawhide chew bone since he chews it so often?
Since both upchucks were so large, I told myself that he was eating way too much for his size (he's about 15-16 lbs. boston terrier mix).
But any help you guys can give would be appreciated.

[NeilUnreal]

I'm not a vet, so take this for what it's worth, but...

Could it be the big rawhide chew bone since he chews it so often?

My dog used to throw up pretty predictably when I let her swallow too many pieces off a rawhide bone in a short period of time. Mind you, being a chow chow, she was able to pretty much demolish a jumbo-sized rawhide bone in a couple of days.

It might also be a reaction to a change in diet.

However, with all the bad stuff going around in dog food these days, you'll definitely want to keep an eye on the pooch and find some way to consult a vet if it persists. Sometimes university vetrinary schools, etc., will treat pets for free or very cheap if there is one in your area.

-Neil

[Dave G]

Thanks Neil, that helps. Especially since my dog got sick some months ago and my family had to shell out 600 dollars that I didn't have. They told me next time he'd be put down, so I'm kind of scrambling. Being unable to care for a pet is practically the same thing as abuse, so I'm feeling bad about it.

[Gabby]

Has he vomited any more today Dave?

I would maybe give his stomach a rest by only letting have chicken or beef broth for a day or so and see if that settles his stomach. Then only give him a very limited amount of his normal food. Depending on the kind of food he eats it can really expand when it hits his stomach. Maybe do a test to see how large a kibble gets by dropping it into a glass of water. If it really expands a lot I would make sure that the amount he is getting isn't too much to expand in his stomach. Some diet type dog food is designed like that to make the dog feel fuller but giving him less in the long run.

[Dave G]

Has he vomited any more today Dave?

I would maybe give his stomach a rest by only letting have chicken or beef broth for a day or so and see if that settles his stomach. Then only give him a very limited amount of his normal food. Depending on the kind of food he eats it can really expand when it hits his stomach. Maybe do a test to see how large a kibble gets by dropping it into a glass of water. If it really expands a lot I would make sure that the amount he is getting isn't too much to expand in his stomach. Some diet type dog food is designed like that to make the dog feel fuller but giving him less in the long run.

He hasn't vomited any more today. I think it's because after he threw up the second time, I took up his food. He seems lethargic, but I think he's just bored. I think he's overeating because he doesn't have enough stimulation.
The food he's on is Science Diet diet food. So you're right, he must be eating more than he can hold once the food expands. Thanks for the advice, I'll have to go get broth now.

[Rubia Warren]

I have heard from many places that rawhide bones are really bad for dogs' digestion and sometimes can be dangerous for them.
I have had 3 dogs who puked up large chunks every time if they'd been eating rawhide.
I dunno what is wrong with your dog, it maybe something else, but I'd start by simply taking that bone away. Now.

I have a boxer and they are known for usually having a sensitive digestive system--- and he is very sensitive to most things. But once in a while I give him a bone from the butcher case (a big beef one with little chunks of meat still on it even), but I boil it first. He loves it, and takes him quite a while to whittle it down. I've never seen him vomit from it either yet.

I glanced around at boston terriers to see if they commonly have digestive problems too and I found this:
Genetic diseases or conditions that can affect Bostons include megaesophagus (an abnormality that causes regurgitation of undigested food) and other digestive problems

here: http://www.canismajor.com/dog/bosterr.html

Might wanna check around and compare information from different sources to get a good idea.

If it is the case that he just has a quirk common to one of the breeds in his makeup (like my dog), you can manage it pretty well on your own. Science Diet used to be a very good dog food but I found that for mine it wasn't very good.
I can tell with my dog by his gas :blush:. Every dog has gross gas but this one? Oh, heavens...... :no: I found that Nutro is a brand that people with sensitive stomached dogs really rave about and it's very good for them (well if you ignore the recent pet recall... :blush:). But anyway, I've been feeding him Nutro Max and it's okay.... but he really does almost perfectly on the Nutro Natural Choice. No puking, hardly any gas, and perfect poops. :yes: PLus he eats less because there aren't corn fillers, and junk chicken parts in it (well, unless you overlook that rat poison from the recall... but hey? What's wrong with a little D-Con every now and then, right?) (Is D-con, for mice or roaches, incidently? Well you know what I mean).
Anyways, the Nutro Natural Choice has made his coat absolutely beautiful, and believe it or not, I literally started seeing his body turn ripped before my very eyes after I began feeding it to him. He is so muscular and good-looking overall. His belly quirks are kept to a bare minimum, and seems to do well on it overall. He is eating Nutro Max right now and has for the past few months because my husband went cheapie on the food. I have found on the Max, that he has softer poops (not trying to be gross but as an owner you gotta monitor these thing you know?), and they are orange, and he has gas. Plus he's been kinda pukey lately. Not really puking hard or a lot, just sorta "ehhh" pukey.

Now, if you really wanna talk pricey dog food, I did find for my dog that Royal Canin is THE BOMB. Oh man is it ever great. Now, that dog food is perfect for my dog's stomach. But it was a lot more expensive. They even have a special formula for the Boxer breed (as well as other specific breeds) which is tailored to their common problems. The food is even designed shaped for a dog with a smashed face to easily be able to grab. None of Royal Canin's food was a part of the recall, also. I just can't afford the stuff. :nsm:

Man I am kinda starting to feel guilty now. :blush: Poor Maxie. I'm a terrible owner, getting all cheap on him like that. :frown:

Anyways, lose the rawhide immediately. Do some checking around on the breeds you're sure he is. He prolly doesn't need to see a vet unless it gets out of control.

[Johnny MacManky]

Dave, I can't offer much dietry advice, but remember this... your lil dog knows you love him... and if you hadn't taken him in, his life would probably have been over a long time ago. My lil rescued doggie is lying sleeping at my feet as I type this. I think I'll wake her up and give her some nice pats.

[Rubia Warren]

Oh yeah dave, I started looking around and it appears that rawhide has a very bad reputation for causing vomiting, intestinal blockages, and also pancreatitis.
Here's a sample from the National K-9 dog traienrs Association:

Tips: Rawhides pose potential health risks. Rawhide can cause either vomiting or diarrhea from the many pieces still sitting undigested in the GI tract. Swallowing large pieces can lodge in the throat and cause choking. Large pieces can also scrap and irritate the throat and esophagus. Once in the stomach or intestinal tract, rawhide may create a physical obstruction. Some rawhide may create a risk of Salmonella or have an arsenic-based preservative

Incidently as I was looking for that, I came across another dog website which advised against boiling bones like I do cuz they will splinter and kill your dog........ woops. :blush: Guess I better not do that anymore.

[NeilUnreal]

I have heard from many places that rawhide bones are really bad for dogs' digestion and sometimes can be dangerous for them.

I forgot to mention it, but the rawhide bones were also causing the gagging problems that the report you cited describes.

I eventually switched to a manufactured (synthetic) chewbone that my Vet recommended. It was more expensive, but it lasted so much longer that the long-term cost was actually lower (long enough, in fact, that it became my dog's favorite toy). It had the side benefit of really helping keep my dog's teeth clean.

-Neil

[Storico]

Here's something:

Over here, they have these 'veggibone' things, which are similar in appearance to rawhide, but they're made up of vegetable material. I'm still not sure how they get them to such a hard consistency. :hrm: But anyways, we buy them for a few dogs we know and love, and they're waaaaaay better than the rawhide. For one thing, the dogs love them. For another thing, there don't seem to be the problems associated with rawhide. They're organic, too, I think... if that even makes a difference. My local petstore is, I believe, run by hippies. :hehe:

And Dave, I hope your puppy's feeling better VERY soon!

Edit: the bones I mentioned may be called something else. I saw them here: http://www.veggiepets.com/acatalog/ and our pet store carries these folks' products... which is odd, because they're the UK company. They must have a Canadian supplier somewhere here. I don't know if they're in the US. At any rate, though, a vegetarian alternative to rawhide MUST be carried by one of your local petstores. :tongue:

[SpiritWoman]

I have a rescued dog from the local animal shelter.
Yesterday he threw up twice and both times the vomit was larger than any stool he produces.
The shelter told me to go to a vet, but I can't afford it. I am hoping one of you guys would know something about the symptoms. There is no blood, he just blows chunks.
Is it possible that over-eating would cause this? I don't have any trash in the house, nor did I yesterday. Could it be the big rawhide chew bone since he chews it so often?
Since both upchucks were so large, I told myself that he was eating way too much for his size (he's about 15-16 lbs. boston terrier mix).
But any help you guys can give would be appreciated.

Hi Dave,

Take the raw hide away Immediately. Raw hide is sold in pet stores, but are a dangerous food for many dogs.

Try swallowing leather and see what it does to your intestines.

Being that he is a small dog, he may variably have an obstruction in his instestinal tract that is causing his vomiting with very little stool production, so a Vet visit would be the only way to find out how severe the obstruction is and if surgery is needed to save his life.

Also, if you have a cat litter box in your house this will also cause the same symptoms as dogs will eat it.

So if you can't make it to the Vet, take the Raw hide away, only give him water for a day, and see if he can pass the obstruction himself. Keep an eye on his stools.

Hope this helps. Good luck!
SW

[Dave G]

Oops, sorry...I forgot about this thread...
All good advice everybody, thanks. I didn't take away his rawhide, but I will...hopefully one of the suggested chews will be good for him. He LOVES to chew the dumb things. He won't even play with dog toys, just the bones.
I took up his food and strarted giving him a limited amount, and that seemed to do the trick.

[Johnny MacManky]

woof woof waggy wag

[Dave G]

You're right, Johnny, my dog loves me. Whenever I'm at the computer he begs to get in my lap. When we are driving someplace, he often puts his head on my shoulder. I think I'll keep him.
:smile:

[SpiritWoman]

Oops, sorry...I forgot about this thread...
All good advice everybody, thanks. I didn't take away his rawhide, but I will...hopefully one of the suggested chews will be good for him. He LOVES to chew the dumb things. He won't even play with dog toys, just the bones.
I took up his food and strarted giving him a limited amount, and that seemed to do the trick.

The best treats for your dog are biscuits like Milk Bones or Nutro. And a special treat is a straight up beef bone (specifically sized for the size of your dog) that has been preserved specifically with your dog in mind. RAW with the outer meat carved down to a very minimal amount.

Beef bones are rich in calcium, give him hours of chewing pleasure, and will make your dogs breath smell good. Kinda of like milk.


Peace
SW

[Rubia Warren]

Glad your dog is doing well, Dave!
You shouls share pics of him, I bet he is cute.

[HerodionRomulus]

I have a boxer and they are known for usually having a sensitive digestive system--- and he is very sensitive to most things. But once in a while I give him a bone from the butcher case (a big beef one with little chunks of meat still on it even), but I boil it first. He loves it, and takes him quite a while to whittle it down. I've never seen him vomit from it either yet. .

Interesting. I have a 8+ y/o female boxer and she has a cast iron stomach.
She gets Sams Club housebrand and always had, over the years the manufacturer has changed the product several times and she didn't blink an eye.
Once a month or so I go to a buffet that has ribs. I bring the bones home and she loves them. Even when they start to get moldy, she still eat them no problem.
And don't even talk to me about tree branches in the yard, or bugs in the grass, :lol: she can chew and eat a small branch/stick in no time and bugs seem to be doggie gourmet.
And did I mention pizza crust? LOL

[QuantaFille]

...and bugs seem to be doggie gourmet. ...

Tonight at tea, our little terrier was running around the table, chasing and eating ants off the floor. It's hilarious to watch.

Q.