5 yr old lab vomiting

[JennS]

We woke up in the wee hours last Thursday morning to our 5 yr old lab, Reilly, throwing up. She threw up a bunch of times over a period of about 8 hours and (obviously) did not seem to feel well. At the beginning, she was vomiting white foamy stuff, but towards the end of this, both her vomit and her poop was really dark and gooey (gross, sorry). However, she felt much better Friday (no more vomiting) and by Saturday, she was totally back to normal. However, over the last three nights or so, she has vomited during the night (on our bed, oh joy!). It is always just clear watery vomit. She otherwise seems to feel fine (eating normally, going on walks, etc.).

Should we be concerned? Do we need to take her to the vet? We have had a lot of large vet bills over the last few months (mostly due to our 7 month old puppy and her trip to the emergency clinic, not related to Reilly), so are trying to avoid unnecessary trips to the vet, but will certainly take her if she needs to go.

[Maxx&Emma]

I would definitely be at the vets, right away!

[BaconsMom]

I agree, head to the vet! Any more than 1 puke in 12 hours warrants at least a call to the vet in my book.

[shelly]

We have a 5 year old too. If he had vomited over the weekend and stopped and was normal other wise I wouldn't take him to the vet. But then to start vomitting again would worry me. Your post said your lab was eating and walking - is she drinking water and pooping? If not, I would take her to the Vet.

[doubledip1]

My vet's policy is vomiting for more than 24 hours (and not giving any food until 4 hours after the last vomiting episode and even then, just chicken and rice) then bring them in.

Did she eat anything wonky on Thursday? If I know for sure she ate something or am 95% sure she did, I wait the 24 hours. From your description, I would bring her in if that was happening to Luna. You can always call them and ask them what you should do.

[Berna]

If she is lethargic I'd definitely go to the vet.

[JennS]

We weren't sure if she ate anything she wasn't supposed to when she first got sick last week, but we thought that was the most likely scenario. And, just to be clear, the vomiting over the last three nights has just been once three nights ago, and twice last night, so it has not been a big issue since last Thursday, but she has thrown up a couple of times. She appears to be feeling fine otherwise since last Thursday. She goes for two long walks each day, and has been eating, drinking, pooping, etc. normally since the episode last Thursday. With this clarification, should I still take her to the vet?

[Berna]

Well, you know your dog best. I wouldn't worry about vomiting or diarrhea that lasts for a couple of days if my dog appears fine otherwise.

You could try cooking chicken and rice for a couple of days, see if she keeps it down. If she continues to vomit I'd take her in.

[shelly]

I agree with Berna that you know you dog best. My first reaction is to always run to the Vet but my husband is more relaxed and says wait a day and see what happens. Often he is right. I hate to take our dog to the Vet and hear that he has a bug. They do get them just like we do. If mine was eating, drinking, pooping and exercising I would wait a day. That said if it was your puppy I would be more inclined to go to the Vet sooner than later. I think puppies are more vulnerable than adult dogs.

[JennS]

Thanks for the advice. I agree that puppies are more vulnerable. We had to take the puppy (Lilly) last month to the emergency animal clinic on a Sunday last month because she started throwing up like crazy and having diarhea. She ended up having to spend the night at the ER, then spent the next two days at our vet all day being monitored (and coming home at night). We never did figure out why she was throwing up, but they got it stopped and got her rehydrated, and she was fine after a few days.

My instinct is usually to take them to the vet if in doubt, and I thought we should have taken Reilly to the vet last Thursday when she got sick, but my husband wanted to take a wait and see approach. She was fine by Friday, so I thought he was right, but now she has thrown up two out of the last three nights, both times in the wee hours of the morning, and both just liquid (no dog food in the vomit). She otherwise seems fine. I guess at this point we will see how she does tonight and, if she vomits again tonight/early in the morning, maybe bring her in tomorrow morning. Our vet is open on Saturday mornings, so they should be able to see her tomorrow if necessary.