My almost 5 year old jack russell terrier

Question
My beautiful jack russell terrier Pixie recently started throwing up several times a day.  I monitor what she eats - she is on science diet lite as she is a tad bit over weight but for 3 days now she has thrown up everything she has eaten.  I thought it was because she ate her son's food and her's and just overloaded her stomach but I don't believe this is the issue anymore.  I am getting very worried about her.  Any ideas?  She is up to date on all her shots and is on heart worm meds.  I don't know what could be the problem.  I am thinking I will probably take her to the vet Sat after work if you don't think she should go sooner.  Thanks for your help.  Kathy

Answer
Hi Kathy,

I'm sorry to hear that Pixie isn't feeling well.

The first course of action when your dog is throwing up, is to withhold food for 12-24 hours, so that his irritated digestive track can have a rest. Offer only limited quantities of water after 6 hours, at frequent intervals. If he drinks a lot it can distend his stomach, and make him throw up again. Offering your dog an ice cube to lick is a good way of controlling the amount of water he gets.

If there is more vomiting after having water, go back to the fasting stage for another six hours. Do not be discouraged, the stomach often needs complete rest for twenty four hours or more.

Over a period of a few hours gradually increase number of ice cubes offered until your dog's thirst is satisfied. If you wish, give clear liquids such as low sodium/ low fat chicken broth, or a little Jell-O. After at least 12 hours, when your dog's thirst has been satisfied, and if he hasn't vomited, you may begin giving small amounts of food.

Start with a small portion of the following bland diet:

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

For a jack russell sized dog, feed about a teaspoonful at a time. 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.

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

When vomiting occurs and there are no clinical signs of illness it is always hard to figure out how seriously to take it. If there are more episodes of vomiting after the short fast, then it would be a good idea to discuss this with your vet and consider doing some simple testing, like a fecal exam, to make sure there isn't an easy problem that can be corrected.

Hopefully, there won't be a future episode to worry about after the short fast!


I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti