Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Dog sick, vomiting, lethargic after eating wild animals or bones. Blockage?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 5 months old | 90 lbs

My dog has not been eating for the last couple of days. His breathing has become heavy and deep and he refuses to eat; has been vomiting, but still drinking water. He just lays around and is pretty lethargic. He killed a raccoon (and possibly ate it, as well as a skunk) a couple of weeks ago and he has been chewing on deer bones as well. Does this sound like a blockage? He's tried to go to the bathroom, but he's only been able to pass a thin piece.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By David Darvishian

Veterinarian

Published on November 15th, 2017

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

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Training & Behavior

My dog ate a dead animal, now lethargic & won't eat. Vet needed?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yes, he should see a veterinarian. He may not be eating due to dietary indiscretion from eating the bird or mouse or it could even be due to a gastrointestinal obstruction. I am afraid that if he is not drinking water he may be becoming dehydrated. They would be able to check for these possibilities and most importantly start him on medications to make him feel better. Good luck and have a great day!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog ate chew bones and is sick and won't eat. What should I do?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If Scooby has been lethargic and not eating, especially after eating 3 chew bones, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine him so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I would recommend having abdominal x-rays taken to see if he has developed a foreign object intestinal obstruction from the bone chews. He may also be dehydrated, have pancreatitis, etc. It is impossible for me to say for sure without examining him and performing diagnostics. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog ate a bone, throwing up, lethargic. Should I take him to vet?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry Shadow isn't feeling well. It could be pancreatitis but it could also be just general stomach upset. He ate something his body isn't used to and there were sharp bone fragments. He could also have a piece of the bone stuck somewhere. I would recommend taking him to the vet because he is young and I don't want him to dehydrate. They may need to take X-rays. They can then give him medications to calm his stomach. In the future I would not recommend giving Shadow any bones for fear of the above things. Good luck and kisses to Shadow!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Dog lethargic, not eating, and vomiting. When should I call the vet?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. It is possible that Bonnie ate something that caused these symptoms. However, regardless of what caused these symptoms, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her. She may be dehydrated and in need of fluids, which the veterinarian can evaluate her for. I would also recommend having her blood tested to see if there are any abnormal values that need to be addressed. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please take the time to mark this question as helpful or not as it helps us to improve on the quality of our answers to other pet owners. Thank you kindly!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog ate chicken bones, now sick, lethargic, and has diarrhea.

This is very serious and he needs immediate veterinary attention. The bones are probably still in his stomach and intestinal tract and the diarrhea can quickly result in dehydration. Many dogs also get pancreatitis from eating rich, fatty foods. He will need fluids, an X-ray to determine where the bones are, and possibly surgery. My dog ate rib bones and he needed to be hospitalized and the bones surgically removed. Again this can become life threatening quickly so please take him in for treat soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Nino.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog is vomiting water, not eating, and lethargic. What's wrong?

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry that Vito isn't feeling well. What you are describing is very worrisome for an obstruction/blockage in the gut. This can happen when dogs eat socks/underwear, balls, toys, cardboard, peach pits, etc. I strongly recommend you bring him to a vet right away for x-rays. Surgery might be required as a life-saving measure. If the x-rays are clear, your vet will be able to give a medication to stop the vomiting and help, as this sounds like it is either an obstruction, or a severe gastritis that requires medication and possibly IV fluids to correct. Best of luck with Vito, I hope he feels better soon!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog threw up, is lethargic, and has labored breathing. What to do?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am suspicious that this could be something other than gastrointestinal issues from that. It is hard to know what exactly is going on however he is displaying some signs of potentially being sick such as labored breathing, lethargy and vomiting. I highly recommend that you have Harley evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to perform a physical examination and start there depending on what they think could be wrong. For example, if his lung sounds appear abnormal, they may proceed with chest X-rays. They can then treat accordingly. Good luck and have a good night!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share