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My dog is vomiting, dry heaving, and very lethargic. What to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Male | neutered | 6 years and 7 months old

My 6 yr. Old American Pit Bull started vometing all of the sudden . He was resting indoors and nothing obvious cuased the vometing. With 30 minutes he vometed all his morning food out and is now dry heaving. He is completly out if energy slobering and lethargic. Any suggestions until i can get him to a vet?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Sarah Box, BVSc

Veterinarian

Published on June 9th, 2017

Poor Diesel!
Ongoing vomiting/heaving and extreme lethargy are a conceding set of symptoms. I would recommend taking Diesel to your regular veterinarian as soon as possible to see what is going on. He may simply have some gastritis (stomach irritation/inflammation) from eating something he shouldn't, or he could have an intestinal obstruction or even a twisted stomach. Your vet will do a thorough physical exam and likely will recommend additional diagnostics such as X-rays. If they feel Diesel is dehydrated they may recommend he stay in the hospital for IV fluids and medications to help him feel better.
I hope you are able to get to the bottom of it, and that Diesel feels better soon.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on March 16th, 2018
I'm sorry Diesel hasn't been doing well at the moment! You absolutely did the right thing by making a vet appointment, and your question as to if this is an emergency is a good one. Given that he is having diarrhea so frequently, you are seeing some blood in it, and there is concern that he is dehydrated, I do think it's best he sees a vet sooner rather than later. Senior dogs are at an increased risk of dehydration, and it's very important to have that treated right way. I do recommend taking Diesel into an ER vet tonight based on his current symptoms. I hope this helps, and good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on August 10th, 2019
I can give you a home remedy for Diesel to see if that helps. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the diarrhea continues on the bland diet, he starts vomiting food, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away. Best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Dayna, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on December 17th, 2017
It sounds like Diesel possibly may have infectious tracheobronchitis, or kennel cough. I would recommend that he be evaluated by a veterinarian soon. In the meantime I would take him in the bathroom and run the shower for 10 minutes to get him nice and humidified. Make sure he is consuming enough fluids as well. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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