UPDATE Dog thowing up

[dainerra]

honestly, if you have that little faith in your vet, it's time to get a new vet. Someone that you can trust to have your animals' best interests at heart. If you feel the same about your children's dr, then it's time to replace him too!
There is nothing wrong with seeking advice from others, but in all honesty, over the internet isn't that reliable.
-You don't know how you are talking to and what they know (or don't know!). - remember, online EVERYONE is an expert
-a thousand questions and descriptions online isn't worth 5 minutes of seeing the animal in person and touching it.
- personal opinions - your idea of what counts as diarrhea might just be "little mushy" to me and nothing to worry about. Or the opposite!

I'll second what Aina said. The second you walked out the door with that dog, he became your responsibility. Yes, it is better that he go back and be euthanized than stay at someone's home and not get treated. BUT if that is your decision, please wait before getting another dog. They are living creatures and no matter what plans are made, there is a chance of injury or illness. Most chronic illnesses are actually pretty easy to manage, but first you have to know what is causing the problem.

Also, just want to point out, that if he just came into your home, you don't know his personality yet. It can be 6 months+ before a dog settles in and the honeymoon is over. So start working with him now and teaching him how you want to behave. Reward the things he does that you like and redirect the things that you don't.

Good luck with your boy...

 

[Mattemma]

Could be blockage.Friends cat ate string,and they did surgery and found it.They had to take a loan out to pay for it!

Another thing I was thinking is that in the pound besides stress and disease exposure they also get vaccines and worming meds. These can cause health issues. I have a cat that pukes her food often. Even the dogs do when eating fast.Extremely annoying to find *puke piles*,but way better than diarrhea in the house,lol .Give small amounts.Maybe mix in some lifeway kefir.Babt gate the dog. I don't let mine into certain areas.Same for the cat.

I recently spent $300 on my cat.TG for credit cards. That $300 was just vet visits,testing,and food. I never did find out what caused my cat to not eat to the point of liver failure.In the end she saved herself,but a bit of syringe feeding helped. There are times however when euthanising or returning an animal to a shelter is better.Me, I would not treat for cancer,or have my pet on diabetes meds for life. I won't tolerate toileting in the house either after having a cat ruin one.My friend would do that-keep an animal at all cost.To each their own. I am not mean and she is not crazy.We have our limits.Any animal can have health or behavior issues.Return this one and you might get another dog with issues....or not. It is up to you what you want to deal with.

I would not feel bad about returning the dog and getting another. Had a friend get a cat from a shelter.Turned out to be a cat from hell.It was so mean and destructive. She was sad to take it back,but she got a real sweetheart in exchange.Meanie got to live his life at the shelter. Do what you feel is best for you and your family.

Have you tried cooking for the dog? I have read of the SPOT recipe for illness.

Set a limit for what you can spend at the vets. I told my vet that,and lol, the $300 was with discounts.Sometimes they just won't be able to find a cause. A lot can be linked to food,meds,vaccines.A holistic approach with food and herbs might help your dog.You still have some time to get the dog on a good diet and maybe detox him from meds and vaccines. Maybe he does still have worms and needs a second dose,or a med for a different kind of parasite.

I would recommend a savings account for pet related health issues.They don't occur often,but when they do they can cost a lot.Putting $25-$50 a month into an account is so worth it when the time comes.

Sometimes the tests will tell a lot more than an exam.Althought I do recall my vet feeling my cats liver and being able to tell there was issue with its size even before the blood test confirmed it.

Best wishes whatever you decide.Pets are wonderful,but there can be hardships.

 

[AinaWGSD]

"However, and I am sorry to sound so judgmental, if you are not willing to spend the time and money necessary to diagnose and treat a chronic condition then perhaps a dog is not the right pet for your family." If you are going to be sorry for something you are writing and you know it, don't write it. Am I to understand that unless I have boundless money to do all kinds of lifesaving and prolonging treatments I should not own an animal. That's pretty harsh I think.

I am not sorry for writing it because it is something I feel needs to be said. I was apologizing to you personally because I knew that it was something that you would almost certainly take offense to, especially since you are reading it over the internet and are unable to pick up on inflections that might be present if we were talking in person. No, I don't think that people should have boundless amounts of money before getting a pet. Nor do I think that one should go broke treating a terminal disease if it is clearly not going to make a big difference in the animal's quality of life. However, dogs are prone to dozens of conditions, both genetic and influenced by environment/behavior (ie eating stupid things), that could cost a few hundred dollars and you knew that full well before you decided to get a dog. To me, it doesn't matter whether you just got the animal or you've had it for years...once you bring that animal home you are fully responsible for his health and welfare. If that sounds harsh, then come spend a week or two in my shoes where I am often forced to see animals suffer for the ignorance and irresponsibility of their owners.

Sometimes vets especially in this economy will encourage owners to spend money for unnecessary tests. I do not jump to the doctor as soon as my kids are sick either. I want get all the advise I can first. Sometimes other peoples experiences and solutions are way more productive than a million expensive and useless tests . I guess the fecal test for worms was unreliable too. I truly value all of your suggestions. They have honestly been way more helpful than the 5 minutes the vet spent with my dog while she told me the long list of test and procedures. She did not even really examine the dog.

I agree with dainerra, if you have that little faith in your vet it's time to find a new one. It doesn't really take more than 5 minutes to do a complete physical exam, but someone should have asked a bunch of questions to get a complete history (which most of the time they tell the vet before s/he even gets into the room to do the exam). I understand that there is a common perception that vets are money-hungry and suggest tests just to make a quick buck. Sadly, there are actually a few vets out there that are like that and it upsets the majority of the honest vets because it perpetuates the greedy vet image. A good vet will suggest all of the tests that they think will be relevant to making a diagnosis and treating, but they will also prioritize and choose to do the most important and/or least expensive tests first if you tell them what your budget is.​

 

[zazouse]

I have not read all the replies ,so mabe someone already suggested this.

If the dog ate the former owners couch there may still be parts of the couch in the dogs intestenal track, this leaves most of the food unable to pass hence the dog will vomit after eating.
I had a rottweiler years ago that was doing the same thing ,we took him to the vet and had all kinds of test done as well as x-rays, they found out he had swolled some of the golf balls that had dissappeared from the chickens nest.

Surgery was very expensive but he was worth it and lived to be 12 years old, i have his son here now and he is just like ol dad.

 

[redhen]

The OP already did take her dog to the vet... its not like she didnt even bring the dog in to be seen by a vet..
And shes saying that the further treatments will cost biiig bucks... not just a couple hundred...
Not everyone has thousands $ to treat a sick animal.

 

[dainerra]

she also said that she thinks her vet is just out for $$. If that is her belief, then find another vet for a second opini9on. Price shop and compare and work on managing the situation.
Dogs are living creatures and even one illness or emergency is enough to rack up huge vet bills. you have to plan ahead and have something in place for when it happens.
Tell the vet I can spend Xc amount, what is the best place to start?

 

[redhen]

I agree, if you dont trust your vet, then you need to find another one..

And thats what i tell my vet too, "I only have this amount of money, can you work with me" If not and the animal is really ill i will have to have it put dowm humanely so it wont suffer.
You should ALWAYS have at least money enough to take your animal in to be put down humanely so it wont suffer, even if you cant afford high vet bills..

Again, the OP took her dog to the vet already... not sure what else she can do at this time, besides spend a whole crap load of money on testing...or wait and see what happens next...
and if the dog starts to seem to suffer, bring him in to be put down...

 

[dainerra]

Actually there ARE options.
1) get a second opinion
2) price shop. Different clinics have different prices. If you live in the city, try a vet outside the limits or vice versa.
3) care credit
4) pet insurance
5) vet school - they can sometimes provide care at a H UGE discount for the experience
6) payment arrangements
7) alternative tests - ultrasound instead of barium xrays
8) space out treatments - start with the most likely test and, as long as the aninal isn't suffering, move on as you can afford another option

 

[HEChicken]

Quote:
Can I suggest that for the time being, you don't let Oliver out by himself? At this point, the best thing would be to 100% control what goes into him, so that you can start to eliminate possible causes for the throwing up. You are trying to do that by giving him foods that might help, but if he is then able to go outside and get into chicken feed or poop, you still won't know if the food is helping or not. Inside, you can make sure he eats nothing but his food, by picking up the cat food as you have (also make sure he has no access to the cat litter box - he WILL get into it if he can - most dogs find that a tasty treat), and not giving treats. When he needs to go outside, put him on a leash to go out. That way you can also control what he ingests outside. (Not all dogs like to potty on leash and if he is one of them, perhaps there is somewhere you can take him to potty where he can run free but there is nothing for him to get into?) I understand it is a hassle to always have to go out with the dog but it will help to determine what is causing the vomiting, so it would really be a good idea at least in the short-term. Also, make sure the whole family knows not to let him out unattended. It doesn't help if you take him out 6x in a row and then your 6YO lets him out by himself!

 

[gpamela3499]

Thank you Everyone!
I really appreciate the support from redhen, Mattemma.
BYC is the place that I feel I can get a wide variety of advise from many good people. Sometimes a community is better than putting all my faith in just one vet that I see once a year for my cats immunizations.

I am not trying diagnose and treat my dog via the internet but someone who has had dogs may actual help me better than a the vet who does not. My vet is actually many vets at the pet hospital. I see them as professionals who also have families of their own but may not own a dog and may know little about dog behavior i.e. the gobbling of the food, or someone who breeds or owns certain breeds that may have health issues or behavior common to that breed.

I belong to several parent groups when we get together we discuss our children's behavior and sometimes even cures for minor ills. I do not take all advise as useful but my doctor no matter how much she cares does not know my children like I do. My vet may know anatomy of my pet but may not see the daily regurgitation my dog is exhibiting. I am the one that suggested to my vet that is might be an obstruction based on my past experience with a 4 year old son who swallowed a nickle but would not admit it until we saw the x rays. He could keep nothing down either. LOL It is the same son I got Oliver the dog for.
I will not judge you for eating chicken please don't judge me for eating eggs.
Thank you for the list of steps I am doing all these things to get more treatment for Oliver. There is another it is through a local animal advocacy group that offers financial help to pet owner with limited resources I am filling out the application now. I have also contacted the UC Davis small animal clinic about this but I have received no call back yet. I am this dogs 3rd owner and he had two terms in 2 different shelters. His original owner took him to UC Davis for his microchip.
My daughter said maybe he is a lab dog that the school used to test stomach problems on. I think that is just too weird to consider though.
Yep I am watching everything Oliver eats and restricting all access to the outside except for walks until we can get at least 24 hours of no regurgitating of his food.
My dog has not thrown up since yesterday

evening. This might be it.