health issues

Question
hello,
I hope you can help.  I have a JRT.  He is 6 years old.  Justice LOVES TO EAT.  He will eat anything at anytime. Yesterday evening, he suddenly ran under the bed crying then came out a few moments later and threw up.  He then threw up a few more times after that.  All day today he's been lethargic and has no appetite whatsoever.  HE NEVER TURNS DOWN FOOD.  He is acting depressed.  He's not his normal active self.  He has been drinking so he's not dehydrated.  In your opinion what could it be? I'm very worried.  Also, not related to his current condition... he is constantly licking his paws.  About 3 weeks ago, we took him to the vet because his ears were very infected.  He was treated with antibiotics and his ears are better but he is still licking his feet.  Can we give him Benadrill for that?  Please help if you can.  Thank you so much for your time.

Answer
Hi Sue,

Poor boy! It sounds like he ate something that is causing his stomach to be upset. Some summer plants can really cause gastric upset and even poisoning. Mushrooms and dandelions are the top culprits. Also, car coolant is deadly but tastes delicious! Something caught in his intestine or bloat or torsion is also very dangerous.
It might also be something very serious like an injury (if he ate plastic or wood, a sock, etc..).  It's a good sign that he is drinking but you should absolutely take him to the vet for a check up if he doesn't get better very quickly.
I don't know what caused the ear infections but yes medicine can cause allergic reactions. The licking of the paws could be a number of things ranging from an allergic reaction to whatever he ingested or from the antibiotic. Sometimes it's  "displacement activities" and just a sort of nervous activity they do when they are trying to cope with something difficult (sickness, loneliness, change of residence, new dog in the house.... sort of like us biting our nails or some other stress relieving behavior).
I would have him checked out just to be safe because there are SO many different things it could be and over the Internet is very hard to diagnose.
I have definitely given my dog Benedryl, but only a TINY dose is needed. It's better to have him seen first.
Take care, good luck to you and Justice.
Carol