Why is my constipated dog vomiting and lethargic? Is it a blockage?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear that Roko is having problems. I always tell clients that if signs persist, worsen, or other signs develop after 12-24 or even 36 hours (depending on their severity), I advise a check up at their veterinarian. If the pet is acting sick then the waiting time goes down to zero, they should be seen immediately. So if Roko doesn't act sick or isn't uncomfortable, you could probably wait this out and see what happens. If he is constantly straining to have a bowel movement then of course he should be seen immediately. Vomiting and diarrhea can have many causes such as intestinal parasites, dietary indiscretion (eating things dogs are not supposed to eat), overgrooming with resultant hair ingestion, toxin ingestion, foreign body ingestion, other problems with the gastrointestinal tract, problems with organs outside of the gastrointestinal tract, among many others. Your vet can get a detailed history and do a thorough exam. Once those are done, a diagnostic plan and treatment plan can be discussed and implemented. Possible tests include fecal/blood/urine tests and xrays as a starting point, called a minimum data base. If Roko isn't acting sick and straining a lot you could try some canned pumpkin with his food which is high in fiber. 1-2 teaspoons with each meal (canned pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie filling). This will increase fiber to the gut and hopefully get the gut back on track. Good luck with Roko.

This sounds like he’s in pain. He may have eaten something that upset his stomach and has intestinal cramping. Or since he’s still a pup I’m worried he may have eaten a toy or sock that could cause an intestinal blockage. If this continues I would certainly bring him in for an exam and abdominal X-ray. Having an intestinal blockage can become life threatening without treatment. They can also give him pain medication so he’s more comfortable. This sounds serious so I wouldn’t ignore these symptoms. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Boone.

Poor Molly! Vomiting for three days is very concerning. If she's constipated and hasn't been able to poop, it's possible that she may have an intestinal blockage. This sounds like quite a severe problem, so I would recommend taking her to the vet today to be seen. Your veterinarian can examine her and take some x-rays if needed to help determine why she can't poop, and will advise you on what kind of treatment is needed depending on what is found.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Major. It sounds like Major is really sick and needs to be evaluated immediately. Not eating, vomiting, and now a change in breathing tells me that he is very sick and will continue to get weaker unless he is evaluated and treated. Not eating and vomiting results in fluid/electrolyte losses and possibly dehydration. This leads to more lethargy and weakness. The other thing I'm concerned about is the fact that Major has come into contact with wild animals that are capable of transmitting rabies. Please get him evaluated and tell the veterinary staff about his exposure to a raccoon and a skunk. Your vet can perform a physical examination and then advise you on a diagnostic and/or treatment plan. Possible tests include blood tests and x-rays/ultrasound. Good luck

I would recommend that Rocko be evaluated by a veterinarian. If he is so constipated that he is now vomiting, then he will likely need veterinary care to remove the firm feces from his colon safely. However, there could be other causes for the vomiting and constipation-like symptoms, such as dietary indiscretion, food allergy, intestinal parasites, GI blockage, gastroenteritis, bacterial or viral infection, IBD, pancreatitis, among others. Several of these can be very serious. If he has a GI blockage caused by eating something that go stuck, then he may need surgery to get well again.

If Titan has diarrhea and then appears constipated, this is an emergency as he may have an intestinal blockage and he would need to be seen by a veterinarian right away. However if he is just vomiting and has diarrhea and is still eating and drinking try the following: Diarrhea and throwing up can have many causes. It is basically a problem with the stomach and intestines caused by a food over sensitivity, eating something that does not agree with the dog, intestinal parasites, an intestinal blockage, bacterial infection, viral infection, the weather, food change, stress, etc.  I would fast Titan for 24 hours and then put him on bland food for two days, such as boiled white rice and boiled white boneless chicken meat, fed in small quantities over several feeds and then transition back to his regular food slowly over a few days. If this does not clear up the diarrhea or if the vomiting increases, or if he gets lethargic, he needs to see a veterinarian for an exam as there may be something more serious such as an infection going on.

Hello, yes she could have a foreign body or could be sick form something else such as with parasites or with a viral infection. If she continues to have a decreased appetite, develops vomiting again, or becomes even more lethargic then she should be seen by her veterinarian soon. If she ate a different diet she could have an upset stomach as well. Hope she starts to feel better soon and best of luck.