Expert: Jannie Balliett - 3/27/2008

Question
hi i wanted to see if you could help me out we been giving our dogs water in a tin and it has grown rust and now my dog is throwing up could that be what maybe is causing it?

Answer
Bernadette,

I just have to scold you severely. First, you wouldn't allow your child to drink water from a rusty tin, would you? No, you would not. Then why allow your family pet- your dog(s) to drink from a rusty tin?

Yes, it could be a cause- but there is no way to be positive except take to take them to your vet (and if you don't have one- pick one and get there ASAP) for tests... probably fecal matter test for parasites and worms, bacterial infection(s)and the like.

Don't take a chance and not go to a vet! It could be parvo virus (depending on their ages) and something very serious and deadly. They will dehydrate very quickly if throwing up. Get them some Pediatric Electrolyte to drink to replenish there water in their bodies. But get to a vet now.