Expert: Jo Ann - 11/18/2010

Question
I have a 9 month old dear head chihuahua, on the I noticed 5 days ago that he was throwing-up not often and it was clear then on the 15 I took him to the vet and they done a standard centrifugation fecal exam and show no worms, the vet told me he was not showing sings of Parvovirus because has no diarrhea and not throwing-up a lot and no fever so she gave me Cerenia 24 mg. and told me to give him 1/4 of the tablet, i also told her he was not eating or drinking a lot of water, but she told me once he felt better he should be fine because his coat look good and he was not lethargic IT COST ME $93.06 but 3 days has pas and my dog still not eating and still throws-up if he does eat a bite and is drinking very very little water and every thing that we can get him to eat he throws it up please help me tell me what kind of test he should have and I will take him to another vet. asp thank you so very much. Lilia

Answer
Hello Lilia...

I'm so sorry to hear this and I can imagine just how worried you are.

I think taking your little guy to a different vet is a VERY good idea.  What you have described is very concerning.  When a dog doesn't eat much and drinks very little, they risk becoming dehydrated amongst other things.  Personally, I don't like Cerenia because it blocks the vomiting response and doesn't get to the REAL problem.

For heaven sakes, this dog could have an obstruction or any number of things.  Please, please get him to another veterinarian that specializes in small dogs.  If you don't know of anyone, contact a rescue group near you and ask who they use and use your judgement as to whether or not they are using an appropriate vet or just a CHEAP one.  I would advise a full blood panel so that the veterinarian has a good idea of what is or isn't going on with your dog.  A blood panel often tells the veterinarian what may be the culprit causing your dog's symptoms.  Lilia, can I ask what you are feeding your little guy?  I don't want you to do this as a cure-all, but just until you get to the vet, maybe you could try making some rice and mixing in some Gerber's chicken baby food and see if he holds that down.  

Another thing that I'm worried about is if he got into something toxic.  Vomiting and inappetance (not eating) is often a sign of ingestion of a toxin.  A full blood panel should help with determining if this is what's causing your dog's problems.  So, again, get him to a different vet for a second opinion and have a full blood panel run.  When you schedule the appointment, you can have your dog's records transferred from the first vet's office to the new vet's office.  You can also request a copy of everything for your own records.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that you will write back and let me know what the second opinion vet finds out.

Jo Ann