Sick Chihuahua?

Question
Hi! I hope you can help. I have a 1 1/2 year old, small chihuahua. He has had all shots except for his last booster. He has always been healthy with no major problems except the occasional cold. Sometime early this morning he started throwing up, I found it in my bedroom floor, looked like mush with water in it. He acted pretty normal till after dinner today and then started throwing  up again off and on about 5 times. It was more like yellow water with just a little bit of mush. He has a dry warm nose and will take a spell off and on of licking his lips over and over like you would it you had a really bad taste in your mouth or dry mouth. His eyes look kinda glazed but not really watering. I can't tell for sure if he has a fever because his head has always felt a little warm to me.  He is not acting the same as he does when he just has a cold. He will come to you when called but then just goes and lays back down. He is usually up running around and has always been very active. He hasn't really ate anything today that I have noticed but I keep his dry food out at all times so he might have, but not enough to notice. He is still drinking his water though. Do you think he needs to see the vet soon? He hasn't threw up in about 2 1/2 hours and it is 11:30 pm now. So that has slowed down. Any advice would be great! I just really don't have the money to take him to the vet unless I have to and he is the family dog. We all love him! Please help soon! Thank You!

Sincerely,

Stacy  

Answer
Hi Stacy,

If your dog hasn't thrown up since you wrote to me, then perhaps it was just something passing, but if your dog has begun throwing up again, is still not acting like himself, or has stopped drinking water, then it sounds like you need to take your dog to the vet.

For future reference, when a dog is throwing up, it's a good idea to withhold food for 12-24 hours. That gives an irritated stomach time to rest. Withhold water for the first 6-12 hours of that fast, and then only give your dog access to small, but frequent amounts of water, so his stomach doesn't become distended, causing him to vomit.

After the 12-24 hour fast, if your dog has been able to keep down water start feeding your dog a "bland diet".

Mix one and a half cups of cooked white rice with jarred turkey or chicken baby food (at a ratio of  2/3 rice to 1/3  baby food) . Over a period of twenty four hours, gradually increase the amounts being fed until your dog's hunger is satisfied. Do not rush things. If vomiting occurs now, you must start over from the beginning with the fasting.

The following day, begin mixing the bland diet half and half with your dog's normal food. Instead of one or two big feedings, divide the normal amount into four or five small feedings.

With dogs, the general rule of thumb is: If vomiting continues more than 24 hours, or if at any time your dog vomits and acts depressed and unresponsive, veterinary attention is needed.

If you have to call the vet, be sure to mention that you've already tried withholding food and a bland diet.

Best of luck,

Patti