Strange behaviors

Question
I have a Min. Schauzer that my best friends' grandmother gave to me because she was getting under foot.  I have had her for about a year now.  I have owned several schnauzers and have never had one liker her.  She often makes herself vomit for no apparant reason.  Last week when I cleaned one of her hurling episodes up it looked as if it had blood in it and often smells putrid.  When I groomed her this weekend she didn't want to cooperate so I gave her a break and let her go out to potty.  She came back to the deck with a large amount of bloody mucus stuck to her back leg.  She eats pretty good and drinks lots of water.  I am going to be taking her to the vet for her yearly exam, but am interested to get your take on what might be going on with this little girl.

Answer
Hi Cindy,

If your dog had some kind of parasite, that would probably be the simplest explanation for your dog's problem.

If the stool has clots or shows bright red blood, it signifies that could be bleeding in the lower digestive tract or he may be bleeding from the anus.

If the stool has a mucous-like appearance and was tarry or black in color, it signifies that there could be bleeding occurring in the upper digestive tract, large intestine or could possibly be a type of colitis. Colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome would explain the frequency that your dog vomits. Be sure to tell your vet that your dog vomits more than you think she should!

It would help your vet if you could differentiate between vomiting, and regurgitation.

The telltale sign of vomiting is heaving of the belly muscles. This heaving is very noticeable if you happen to be nearby. Another sign is drooling, along with retching or gulping. The drooling occurs before the vomiting, and is considered a sign of nausea.
Regurgitation happens quickly, without the retching. The food or liquid comes back up and out. There is usually little or no effort involved, and you won't see her belly heaving.

Until your dog is seen by the doctor, have her eat a bland diet to allow her gut to calm down as much as it can. A bland diet is:

Mix one and a half cups of cooked white rice with one half cup of cooked chicken or turkey meat (no grease, no skin). Jarred chicken or turkey baby food can be substituted. Boiled or baked potato may be substituted for the rice.

I'm sorry that I can't give you more of an idea of what the problem might be. Please don't delay in having your dog examined.

Best of luck,
Patti