My Weim is gagging, coughing, heaving, and vomiting

[WeimsGirl]

Hi, this is my first time on this website and I'm desperate for advice, I'm very worried about my dog, a 95 LB Weimaraner, who for the past three days has been coughing, gagging, dry heaving, and vomiting up bile and foam. I'm scared and don't know what's wrong with him. I took him to the vets today and the doc wanted to keep him in order to do 2 X-rays of the stomach area and then possibly a barium treatment. But, my main concern is that if he swallowed a stick that's stuck in his throat neither one of those routes will tell me what's wrong and then I'll have wasted $400. On the other hand, I'm worried that he may have eaten something he shouldn't have and that he'll need surgery to remove whatever it is. He can still eat and drink water, not as much as he usually does, but today I noticed that after he ate a little bit he was constantly choking and trying to throw it up but couldn't. He can still go to the bathroom and he's not real lethargic, so I'm not sure if I should go ahead and let the vet do the X-rays and Barium or not. I'm a recent college grad and money is beyond tight, more like non-existent. If Murphy gets the X-rays or whatever he'll have done, I need to know that it's my only option, not that it could be something else, like asthma or a stick in the throat...I just need advice. Thanks so much.

[Blaze]

I don't know what it could be. But if he was my dog I'd go along with what the vet says and get him an x-ray. It's better to be safe than sorry and I don't think your vet would of wanted him to have an x-ray if he didn't think it was needed.
Good luck and I hope your dog is ok!!!

[Dax]

Sorry your guy is sick. It sounds like the vet suspects he something lodged. You say he is only vomiting foam & bile. Does that mean he's holding down food ok?

When Ariel have Kennel cough she had a distintive honking cough and she did bring up foamy bile too.

Did the vet tell you what it wasn't? Sometimes it easier to eliminate those things.

You have my prayers that it's nothing serious. Please let us know what happens.

[WeimsGirl]

From what I heard on other threads, kennel cough would be given to other dogs in the house, and my sister has 2 dogs with no symptoms. Plus, I'm pretty sure Murph got a vaccine for that about 2 months ago when he had to go in for oral surgery. He's holding down the food alright, but seems to want it back out, or chokes on it, I don't know, but it stays down. The doc ruled out nothing, only thought it was something he ate that he can't get out. He's almost fixated on opening him up. Like I said, the X-ray or Barium will not show sticks in his throat or anything else that could be wrong. And in the end, if he sees nothing, he'll either have to get scoped somewhere else for a thousand dollars or so (I'm guessing at the price) and/or be opened up (another thousand or more...guessing again). Of course I'll go further into debt to do it, I just wish there was another way...

Thanks for your thoughts, it's comforting to hear from other people.

[Dax]

I have two dogs and my old girl did not catch kennel cough - it's one of those things.
It certainly sounded like Ariel was choking when she started coughing. Has the condition gotten worse or any better? Increase in number of incidences? Kennel cough for example clears up on it's own like a cold in about 10 days. Even vaccinated dogs can get it. I think you would be able feel something lodged in his throat (the vet should be at any rate).

Now for the indelicate question - how's his poop. Does he have diaherra, slimy, bloody poop?

I would tell your vet your financial situations (remember he was a student too). Be open and honest - and see if he'll work with you.

[weezyNollie]

A barium study/abdominal rads will show if there is an obstruction. Even if it is JUST a stick. The barium will either pass right through the system or stop, because of the stick. It's possible that the study might not work properly.. but then do you want to take the chances of not taking the rads and miss the time frame of fixing this issue? I would think of the possiblity of something showing up as opposed to not. Vets typically want to help your dog (not neccesarily your wallet, but that's not entirely their fault). If you really are concerned, then get a second opinion. But from the sounds of it your dog has some sort of blockage or irritant in the digestive tract. And even though, you don't like hearing this.. if there is something in there.. you do need to perform surgery to get it removed.. sometimes you get lucky and it passes on its own.. other times the dog needs a bit of assistance. Hope everything works out.

[Anna]

Do you not have any dog insurance? I recommend EVERYONE get dog insurance purely for this reason. I would do the x-ray and barium, perhaps the vet has a payment scheme for you or something? I hope your guy will be okay! I have a 3 month old weimer too! Fingers crossed.

[weezyNollie]

Oy.. the insurance bull.

Beware.. pet insurance isn't necessarily a great idea either.

http://www.prodoggroomingsupplies.co...ight=insurance

[~Astral~]

I would go with what the Vet says. It definitely sounds like something, whether a stick or illnesses is irritating your dogs stomach. Definitely have the Xrays and barium performed. Or ask your Vet is there another alternative method that you can try, such as a camera inserted into your dogs throat and pushed down into his tummy - this usually picks up blockages, obstructions and so on and the Vet can actually see what is going on with your Dog. But I have no idea how much these cost or the name of it. I wish you luck and keep us posted. But don't wait another 24hours, just get the tests done incase its something that will do untold damage if left. Take care hun.

[Hudsons~Mom]

When I took Hudson in for throwing up his food, I though it was going to be just anouther 100 dollar vet visit...it turned out to be much worse and he had to have surgery.....they knew I didnt have the money, they knew I loved my dog with all my heart and they worked with me.....so now I am paying 80 bucks a month for the next 5 years!!!!lol

Dont look at what might happen look at what is happening and deal with that....it is the best way to go.

Good luck and keep us posted.