Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 11/17/2005

Question
I have a 4 month pitbull and for 3 days he's been vomitting and he doesn't eat at all. he drinks from time to time and throws that up. I took him to the vet E.R. last night and they didnt do anything or give him any medication. the night before last he throw up and it was a worm in his vomit so thats when i took him the to the vet the first night and the dr. gave him a pill and every since that night he was not the same he dont eat, drink and vomits every hour.  These doctors want you to pay 600-1,000 and want really tell me what i can give my dog for his vommiting ....what can i do?

Answer
It costs money for vets to treat pets.  Often we do not know what is wrong without tests and sometimes X-rays to see if the puppy ate somethng.  Vomiting can be from brain stimulation from toxins and viruses, but it can also be caused by obstruction of the intestine by a rubber ball, a piece of a toy, or roundworms, which your puppy is throwing up.  So until we know why the puppy is vomiting, it is hard to tell you exactly what to do.  At 4 months of age, especially if the dog has not had shots, it could be a disease called parvo.

Any time a dog is vomiting, you should withhold anything oral for 12-24 hours.