My dog is vomiting and sleeping a lot. Why is she so sick?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

  Veterinarian

  There are many things, some serious and some not so serious, that can cause vomiting and lethargy in dogs. "Simple" causes may be eating too much or too fast or even getting into the trash. It could also be secondary to an infection, parasites, pancreatitis, metabolic disease (liver, kidney), endocrine disease (thyroid, Cushing's, Addison's), inflammatory bowel disease, etc.
  You could try withholding food for the next 12 hours. Allow small amounts of water or unflavored PediaLyte. Resume feeding a bland diet, typically a mix of boiled boneless and skinless chicken and plain white rice, in small, frequent amounts to see if the vomiting resolves. Start with 1 tablespoon of food every hour and gradually increase the amount if there is no vomiting. If it continues than she needs to be examined by a vet, especially if the lethargy becomes worse or if she develops fever, diarrhea or abdominal pain. Your vet can run lab work and take x-rays to help diagnose and treat the underlying cause(s).

  

  18Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Debi Matlack

  Veterinary Technician

  Published on February 28th, 2015

  Your dog should be seen by your veterinarian. Inappetence for this long, accompanied by lethargy is a cause for concern. Your pet may have eaten something he shouldn't have which has upset his stomach, he might have swallowed something, for example, part of a chew toy, that has gotten caught and is causing a blockage somewhere in his gastrointestinal tract. He could be sore from a hidden injury you are unaware of, he could have been exposed to some sort of toxin or irritant in his environment or this could be early signs of another condition or disease process. If he isn't showing any specific symptoms, I would still get him in to see your vet if he hasn't improved significantly. Your vet can do an exam, blood work and possibly x-rays to determine the cause of the illness and suggest an effective treatment plan.

  

  44Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

  Veterinary Technician

  Published on February 3rd, 2015

  It is possible your dog is experiencing some illness or digestive upset. There are multiple causes, ranging from internal parasites to ingestion of foreign bodies. If your dog is unable to eat and has been vomiting for more than 24 hours, making an appointment with your vet is strongly recommended. You can also try a bland meal of boiled chicken and plain white rice to soothe minor digestive upset. However, if symptoms continue he will need to be examined. Bringing a sample of your dog's vomit or stool to your appointment can help your vet determine if there is a common problem, such as parasites, more quickly.
  
  If at any time your dog shows signs of severe distress (gasping for air, an extremely bloated or painful abdomen, attempting to vomit or defecate without success, or pale/blue gums or tongue), it may signal a medical emergency, such as bloat. This should be addressed by your veterinarian or veterinary ER immediately if suspected.

  

  91Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

  Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

  Published on June 23rd, 2016

  If this is a fairly new problem for her and she is acting normal otherwise, you can try feeding a mixture of plain boiled chicken and white rice instead of her regular dog food for the next 2-3 days. This is a bland, easily digestible diet that often help to settle an upset stomach in dogs. If this doesn't help, I would recommend having her examined by a vet to determine the cause of the vomiting.

  

  12Pet Parents found this answer helpful