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Weeks of Vomiting and Weight Loss From an Intestinal Tumor

by Ivana


Reader Question
My 12-year-old shepherd and golden retriever mix started vomiting and having diarrhea. I thought he'd eaten something bad at the park. His blood tests and stomach X-rays were normal, and after a week of antibiotics he was better. But then everything he ate came back up within seconds. Over 6 weeks he lost 10 kg and couldn't eat, though he was very hungry. He had vomiting and diarrhea every day, and drank and urinated constantly. An ultrasound showed a big mass on his intestine. During surgery the vet found cancer in his lymph nodes and a blocked intestine, and gave him about a month. I let him go while he was still asleep. It was horrible to watch him suffer and starve. My advice: if your dog has vomiting and diarrhea that won't stop, ask about an ultrasound.


Answer from Our Team

We're so sorry for your loss. German Shepherds are one of the breeds at higher risk for intestinal adenocarcinoma, and vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss are typical signs. Blood tests aren't specific for intestinal tumors, and X-rays can miss masses that ultrasound can show, so normal early tests didn't mean anyone missed something obvious.

Constant vomiting and diarrhea cause dehydration, which can make a dog drink a lot. A blocked intestine is very painful and needs urgent care, and when cancer has already reached the lymph nodes and blocked the bowel, surgery often can't change the outcome. Letting him go while he was asleep spared him more suffering.

Your advice is a good one. If an older dog has vomiting or diarrhea that keeps coming back, or is losing weight, it's reasonable to ask your vet whether an abdominal ultrasound is a good next step.

See intestinal cancer in dogs.

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

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