Why is my dog still vomiting after feeding tube, despite clear tests?

Acute pancreatitis and gastrointestinal inflammation/infections are still possible as well as foreign body ingestion with material not visible on X rays (ultrasound in these cases might be more sensitive). Given the lack of improvement, I would suggest to have her checked again and have a test for pancreatitis (it is a blood test called cPLI) performed. If not eating and probably in a sort of abdominal discomfort, nutritional support and pain relief meds are needed.

It sounds like their treatment didn’t resolve the symptoms. Things like pancreatitis or GI obstruction won’t show up on routine blood work, so I would recommend calling the vet today for what needs to happens next. If an obstruction is one of the vet’s concerns, they may recommend x-rays or ultrasound. If pancreatitis is a concern, then usually they need to go on IV fluids for a day or two.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If xrays and general labwork have been performed already, I would start looking for other possibilities causing this with more advanced diagnostics such as an abdominal ultrasound and GI panel to begin with. Another disease they could investigate is Addison's disease. This would expand the diagnostics to the point of being able to more extensively look into what may be causing this in him. Treatment if any would depend on findings. Good luck!

Poor Buffy! It’s very frustrating when you can’t find the cause. That’s good that your diagnostics have been normal. I don’t have all the history however so it’s a hard to say why she is still vomiting. Underlying things that can caused continued vomiting are things like parasites, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease or a cancer some where. That’s very good that the ultrasound was normal but it doesn’t completely rule cancer out. Luckily, the other conditions are much more common. I recommend to have Buffy dewormed with a broad spectrum medication. Have her stool checked as well for parasites if that hasn’t been done. Have chest X-rays taken to make sure the esophagus looks normal and there’s no pouches or anything that would make her vomit. If possible, test the enzyme levels of the pancreas. Lastly, diagnosing IBD can be difficult. I use a special food made by Royal Canin called Ultamino. She will eat it for 8-12 weeks and during that time, she cannot eat ANYTHING else. If she gets better, you know it’s IBD. Some of these dogs may also require a course of steroids as well. I hope this at least gives you some ideas to speak to your veterinarian about and that this is helpful. Please feel free to post any additional questions!

I am so sorry Chi hasn't been feeling well. If all the tests were clear then I would recommend having an abdominal ultrasound performed. This would look at the architecture of the intestines and stomach and see if there is anything else that could be going on with Chi. She could have pancreatitis, a foreign object, a bad gastrointestinal upset, and much more going on that may or may not show up on the blood work and might not even show up on X-rays. I would also recommend a bland prescription diet to help settle her stomach also. I would have a ultrasonographer or an internal medicine specialist to perform the ultrasound. I hope Chi feels better soon and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

That duration of inappetance is very concerning. Did you family vet prescribe some therapy, anti nausea medication? It sounds like your kid needs to see a specialist. For a case like this an internal medicine specialist would be the best person to see. A full abdominal ultrasound with an experienced ultrasonographer (either a radiologist or internist) is likely the first step if blood work and xrays are normal. Unfortunately some pets cases are complex and some disease processes require more advanced testing then what family vets can provide. Likely your family vet has ruled out some common things but an internist will look for the uncommon things. Unfortunately decreased appetite is a very non specific symptom because in animals when they do not feel good for any reason they can stop eating. Your family vet should be able to provide a referral for you if you are interested in this option. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

In a senior dog, a concern is always cancer. It could be Bella has a tumor that is causing her to stop eating and causing vomiting. Some types of cancer don't show any blood work abnormalities, so I think doing an ultrasound as the next step is a good idea. Best of luck.