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

Unspayed dog not eating, vomiting, diarrhea after heat. What's wrong?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | spayed | 10 years old | 11 lbs

We need help with our dog shes. Shes a 11 Lb copper head Chihuahua age 10 and a half she wont eat shes was just in heat hasn't eaten in 4 days we are trying home remedies....we have amoxicillin but its in 500mg (pill) shes vomiting and diarrhea and dont wanna move on her own.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 20th, 2020

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. It is difficult to say for sure what is going on without examining her myself. Based on your description, you say she may be in heat, yet the Pet's info section it states that she is unspayed. If she is not spayed, she could be dealing with something called a pyometra, which is when the uterus fills with pus. This can be a life threatening condition. I would strongly recommend having her examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. Please refrain from giving any antibiotics until you have spoken with a veterinarian that has examined her. I hope this helps!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Lauren Jones VMD
Veterinarian
Published on March 23rd, 2017
Sally needs to see a vet ASAP. Her signs of excessive drinking, vomiting, and inappetence after going into heat make me highly concerned that she has developed a pyometra, which is a life-threatening uterine infection. These infections typically occur about 2 weeks after a heat cycle due to hormone fluctuations and cause the uterus to become distended and filled with pus. If left untreated, a closed pyometra can cause the uterus to rupture in the abdomen and causes sepsis (a systemic bacterial infection). I understand your concern about finances. Consider looking into Care Credit (carecredit.com) which offers financing for veterinary procedures. Many SPCAs and local shelters have low cost veterinary clinics, but Sally really needs to be seen by an ER now.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on September 23rd, 2020
Poor Maisie. It's not normal that she has lost weight and has had some bouts with vomiting. Without seeing her in person, I can't say for certain what is going on, but one concern I would have is a pyometra. This is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment and can cause the symptoms you are seeing. I think it would be best if you take her into a vet immediately to get checked out. The vet can do blood work, urinalysis, and possibly an abdominal x-ray to see what is going on with her. If she does have a pyometra, spaying her is part of the recommended treatment. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Food & Nutrition

My unspayed dog in heat is sick, not eating. What's happening?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Lexi! I do not think this is normal and I am worried too! I am concerned that Lexi may have an infected uterus (pyometra). This is a surgical emergency. Dogs can become very sick from this and it is life threatening. It could be something else but it is best to have her examined by your Vet and have a belly X-ray done to see if her uterus is dilated. I hope this helps and I wish Lexi the very best!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My unspayed dog is sick after heat: vomiting, not eating. Pyometra?

Poor girl. Pyometra doesn't usually cause just bloody discharge. It will be a foul smelling pink discharge or no discharge at all. However, if she had her last heat cycle 1-2 months ago and now appears to be having a similar heat cycle, then I would definitely suspect that she has pyometra. At any rate, because she is so ill, I would highly recommend Zoe see your local vet for a thorough exam and medical care. Any pet that refuses food for more than 24-48 hrs should be seen, because an underlying illness is present that needs to be identified and treated for. I hope that your pet Zoe is able to make a full and speedy recovery soon! Best of luck and take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog in heat won't eat, vomits, has diarrhea. Is it an emergency?

These are not normal symptoms associated with being in heat, so I would be concerned about some other illness. If she hasn't eaten in several days and is still vomiting, I would recommend taking her to the emergency vet. She is likely very dehydrated at this point, and we need to figure out what is causing the nausea.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my puppy in heat vomiting yellow liquid and not eating?

Vomiting is not usually a symptom of being in heat. It sounds as if she might have eaten something that either disagreed with her or something that has gotten stuck somewhere in her gastrointestinal tract. She could have been exposed to some sort of toxin or irritant in her environment or this could be early signs of another condition or disease process. She could also have a uterine infection causing these symptoms. I recommend getting her seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet will do an exam, blood work and possibly x-rays to determine the cause of the illness and suggest an effective treatment plan. Additionally, unless she is a purebred that will improve the breed by producing offspring, I highly recommend getting her spayed once she is over her illness. This will eliminate the chance of her getting a life-threatening uterine infection and greatly reduce her chances of developing breast cancer in the future.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My intact dog is shivering, not eating, and has swollen glands after heat. Emergency?

Hi there, and thank You for posting this question about Daisy. I am not as worried about the swollen mammary glands as this can be normal post heat, but I am very worried about th decreased appetite and shivering. Pyometra is a life threatening uterine infection that occurs several weeks after heat cycle. Dogs often have non-specific signs of illness such as lethargy, fever, decreased appetite, sometimes increased water consumption, and occasionally vaginal discharge. I would highly encourage you have her examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. I would not wait until Tuesday. X-rays and blood work are usually needed to make a diagnosis. Sometimes early pyometra will need an ultrasound to find it. If she does happen to have a pyometra she will need an emergency spay. Best of luck and I hope she does well. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Yellow vomit, no appetite, dog in heat: Is she sick or pregnant?

I am very sorry to hear that Perlita is experiencing these problems, I am sure it is very unsettling for you both. There are a number of potential causes of such clinical signs, including dietary indiscretion, pancreatitis, parasite infestation, infection, and ingestion of a toxin or poison. It is unlikely related to pregnancy if she is still I. Heat. However, some dogs can feel he unwell while in heat. I would believe the most likely cause is something she has eaten that does not agree with her. Because you have only noticed these signs over the course of a few hours I would continue to monitor Perlita at home. Rest Her gastrointestinal tract by holding back food for a few hours. Then you can continue with a bland and easily digested food of the boiled chicken breast and white rice diet and provide plenty of fresh water. I also find that boiled, mashed skinless sweet potato is helpful for diarrhoea if it begins. If Perlita does not improve, has profuse vomiting or diarrhoea, you notice fresh blood, She seems lethargic, in pain or depressed I would advise a trip to the veterinarian. Here are some links to helpful resources for you if she developed diarrhoea as well. https://www.petcoach.co/article/most-common-causes-of-diarrhea-in-dogs/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-things-you-can-do-at-home-if-your-pet-has-diarrhea/ I hope that answer was helpful and more importantly that Perlita feels better soon. Warmest regards to you both.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my unspayed senior dog bleeding, shaking, and not eating?

Hi, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am sorry to hear that Cagney is not doing well. With her being intact and having the discharge you are describing, I am particularly worried about a condition known as pyometra which is an infection within her uterus. While there are other possibilities, a pyometra is most likely. Unfortunately, this is not something that can wait until tomorrow. Please seek veterinary attention for Cagney as soon as possible tonight. If she does have a pyometra, her condition can go downhill rapidly without aggressive intervention. I hope this helps and that Cagney gets better soon!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

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

Share