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My dog is vomiting constantly and lethargic. Is it an emergency?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 2 months old | 50 lbs

My 1yr old lab has thrown up about 9 times in the past hour, each time she has thrown there looks likes there are pieces of meat In them. She was fine before when I got home , happy and jumping, took her outside and about 2 hour later she puking, no diarrhea though just throw up. She's kinda lethargic now but I feel like I should just wait it out for 24 hrs and if continues take her to the vet. (Sorry for the gross pictures)

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Karly Macon, DVM, MS, CVA Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Veterinarian

Published on May 22nd, 2017

Clearly, she feels pretty awful. She will absolutely be best off if you take her to a vet right away for anti-nausea meds. This way, he/she can take X-rays and make sure Pippa doesn't have a foreign body somewhere causing a blockage in her system that would require surgery to fix. If you wait, she needs to be getting better and better, feeling more spunky, and slowing way down with the vomiting, or I'd be very concerned.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Lauren Jones VMD
Veterinarian
I'm sorry to hear that Pippa is feeling so poorly! Since she has been vomiting so profusely and is now lethargic, I would recommend seeking veterinary attention today rather than waiting it out. One of the more common causes of vomiting and lethargy in a young dog is a foreign body intestinal obstruction, which is a surgical emergency. Other possible causes of Pippa's vomiting include viruses, upset stomach from eating different foods/foreign material, parasites, Addison's disease, among others. I hope that all goes well.
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Karly Macon, DVM, MS, CVA Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Veterinarian
Clearly, she feels pretty awful. She will absolutely be best off if you take her to a vet right away for anti-nausea meds. This way, he/she can take X-rays and make sure Pippa doesn't have a foreign body somewhere causing a blockage in her system that would require surgery to fix. If you wait, she needs to be getting better and better, feeling more spunky, and slowing way down with the vomiting, or I'd be very concerned.
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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