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A Nearly 10-Year-Old Dog Who Became Lethargic, Vomited and Snapped When Startled

by Monica
(singapore)

Reader Question
My dog is usually very energetic and bothers us at the dinner table every day.

But on Sunday, even though we were eating steak, he did not come to the table. He just lay as far away from us as possible. That's when I noticed that something was wrong.

We fed him some freshly made ground beef and dry food. About 1 hour later he was vomiting all around the house - about 6 times.

The next day his poop was dark green. So we thought that it was the arthritis medication and we stopped it immediately. We have been watching him for the last 3 days. He is starting to eat again - but is moving very slowly. Yesterday my son fell on top of him accidentally while he was sleeping and he bit my son 2 times. There was a slight perforation of my son's skin but mostly the bite was just black and blue. Maybe he has a tooth problem, maybe allergy to the medication, maybe it is salmonella from the ground beef he ate, maybe he has the flu. I don't know. But it does not look good. Our mongrel is almost 10 years old now in human years. I'm afraid of taking him to the doctor again and they will put him to sleep instead of treating him. I will proceed to hydrate him with an electrolyte drink, but I think at this point he needs IV fluids for hydration.


Answer from Our Team

Please have your dog seen by a vet today. A dog who suddenly loses interest in food, hides

away, vomits several times and is now moving slowly is unwell, and the change in his stool is another reason not to wait. Some arthritis medicines can irritate the stomach or cause ulcers, and bleeding in the stomach can turn stool dark or black, so it was sensible to stop it. Don't restart it or give any other pain reliever until your vet says so, and tell your vet exactly what he was taking and when. Other possibilities include pancreatitis after a rich meal, an upset stomach, or another illness. Go to an emergency vet right away if he has black, tarry stool, vomits blood or something like coffee grounds, has pale gums or a swollen, painful belly, or collapses.

The bite may also be a sign he's in pain. Dogs who are sore can snap when they're startled or touched, so keep children away from him until he's feeling better, and have your son's bite checked by a doctor, since the skin was broken. The doctor may ask whether your dog's rabies vaccination is up to date.

Please don't rely on an electrolyte drink at home. A dog who has been vomiting may need fluids from the vet and medicine for nausea, and vets look for a cause and treat it. You can ask your vet to explain the options and costs before anything is done, and nothing will be done without your agreement. If cost is a worry, ask your vet about a payment plan, or look for a low-cost clinic, humane society clinic or veterinary school near you.

See lethargy in dogs and dog vomiting.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.

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