When does vomiting go from a fluke to a problem?

[cowgirlnat]

I know animals will just vomit from time to time whether it be from eating grass or something else they shouldn't have eaten. However, I'm beginning to think it's happening a little too frequently w/my puppy. He vomits at least a few times a week. The last few times it's just been like mucus. I don't really know of anything he's eating that he shouldn't. At most maybe grass, but he's not vomiting w/any correlation to time that he's been out. The other day it was in the morning while he was in his crate after being in it all night. And just now again, in his crate after being in it all day. I just got home and the last time he was out was at lunch. Again...he really didn't vomit up anything. I feed him canidae all life stages just the regular formula. I know I just need to ask my vet, but to me he seems a little laxidazy on things.

[Dax]

Merlin brings up mucus a lot. It could be several things including something as simple as irritation of his throat. You should put it on the list of things to discuss with your vet during the next visit

If a dog is vomiting food or dry heaves, I would call my vet and get in to see them ASAP as it could be a sign of something more serious.

[EmmaGirl]

Hi Cow,
Frequent vomitting may suggest a more serious problem. I would definately have a a visit to the vet to run some blood panels and possibly do an XRay (to rule out any obstruction).

[Dauxside]

Your vet really needs to do a blood panel, chronic vomiting, even though it may not be a lot may be signs of serious health issues. To start ask for a general chemistry panel to be sure there is no underlying organ failure and to do several fecal exams to make certain that no parasites are present.

The most common causes of occasional vomiting are probably the inflammatory bowel diseases and functional obstructions of the pylorus (the muscular valve between the stomach and the intestines). Intestinal parasites, ulcers, liver and kidney disease and other diseases can lead to occasional vomiting.

The other tests, if nothing shows up and chronic vomiting continues is an endoscopic examination with biopsy of the stomach and intestine (if it seems necessary during the exam). This is the most accurate way of assessing several situations involving vomiting, such as plasmacytic/lymphocytic enteritis, Helicobacter infection, lymphangectasia and other digestive tract disorders. Your vet will probably have to refer you to a specialist in order to have this testing done.

[EmmaGirl]

Daux...do you think a Healthcheck Plus panel would be in order? It gives much more info. I really hate patchy panels...I would rather do a full panel...JMO.

[Dauxside]

Originally Posted by EmmaGirl

Daux...do you think a Healthcheck Plus panel would be in order? It gives much more info. I really hate patchy panels...I would rather do a full panel...JMO.

No doubt you're right and it's better to do the full panel than have to draw blood again, and again.

[Maliraptor]

Besides underlying medical issues- frequent vomiting or even just frequent "urping" of bile can scar the thrachea, throat, and mouth, causing more problems and even sores.

[cowgirlnat]

He goes back one more time before his neuter. I would have mentioned it this last visit, but it wasn't as frequent until recently and before i could always explain why he was vomiting. For example...eating a whole block of cream cheese. I'll call tomorrow and ask what he thinks. It never hurts to ask, it just seems to be on the border line of a problem and a fluke which is why I asked you all. It's not an every day occurrence, but happens more than once a week. Could it have to do with whining? It does seem that he does it when he does that high pitched back of the throat whining. For instance, I didn't let him out the second I got home b/c I was on the phone w/my mom. Since he could hear me, he was whining, and after about half an hour he vomited. Same with in the morning. I was getting my stuff done before letting him out (brushing my teeth and getting dressed...I let him out after and then we eat breakfast together, lol). It was a later morning than usual so he was whining more and after a while he vomited. Any relation to whining and vomiting? It's not actual vocal whining, but that breathy, high pitched, quiet whine...if that makes any sense. Don't know if it's maybe like a baby crying so much it vomits or I'm crazy.

[Dax]

Merlin does it when he gets overly excited. Usually he runs and eats some snow then yaks a little. Nerves could be a factor too.

[Hudsons~Mom]

Hudson yacks all the time....he yacks if he dosnt get fed on time, he yacks if he is excited, he yacks if I send him to bed early....but then again he missing some of his intestine...

You best bet is to see the vet and yes I know that rymes....the vet will be able to give you a better idea as to why the yacking is happening