8 wo puppy w/ diarrhea, also throws up

[vale]

Hi, I'm having a bit of a hard time with my little puppy. He started throwing up yesterday, around 4pm for the first time. It was food and water, even if he had eaten about 12.30pm. He threw up again around 5pm (still a little bit of food with water) but it wasn't as big as the first time. I fed him around 6.45pm as I usually do. He vomited again around 9.30pm (mostly food), and then again at 10.30pm (water... I usually take his water away for the night but I decided to leave him his bowl because he had been sick quite a bit).

I read here that IAMS is a poor quality food... I actually didn't know that, and the lady whom I got my little baby from obviously didn't either, for SHE told me to feed him that brand. Anyways, I'm going to switch to a better one as soon as possible (like, after I've read a few posts here regarding what brand is good and how to switch foods).

Yesterday, his stool was fine. But this morning (he usually poops twice every morning) he's had diarrhea... severe diarrhea. Nothing solid in there... And for some reason, the second time he did it the stool color was paler, like more beige-brown than brown.

He's sleeping right now but was playful this morning. He did eat his breakfast but wasn't as keen on doing it as he usually is. I had to sit by his side to make sure he eats everything. He also drank but not as much as he usually do.

Don't know if I'm forgetting something here, I'm just so worried. I read a lot of horrible stuff about parvo on the Internet and I just wish it's not what he's got. He's had his first shot the day before we got him and was due for this sunday (May 18th)... But I kind of don't know if I should take him to the vet now or wait until sunday.

Any ideas what could cause him diarrhea and vomitting ? I'm just so worried.

[moondog]

Absolutely get him to the vet NOW. As in this morning! These types of symptoms are serious in a very young puppy and if it is parvo, the sooner he gets treatment the better his chances are. It's NOT worth the risk to wait.

I hope he'll be okay.

[Shane]

I agree. Emergency vet now.

[bliss7373]

Fully agree. If you can, take a stool sample with you to the vet, it may help with diagnosis.

Don't forget to update us on your pup's condition!

[Nishasmom]

Yes, I would never chance diarrhea in a young puppy . Better safe than sorry!

Could he have eaten something he wasn't supposed to? Maybe something is causing a blockage...which would explain his vomiting.

[vale]

Well I brought him in this morning and he's had a whole checkup and my vet said to keep an eye on him all day long and then call her back this afternoon for a follow up. She said she couldn't reject the possibility of him being infected with the parvovirus as the symptoms were exactly the same, but she told me not to worry too much since he had no fever at all. His stool didn't show any worms or eggs... She said it could be some kind of gastroenteritis, which would explain the vomiting and the diarrhea.

As for now, he's doing way better than yesterday or this morning! He's eaten a little (my vet said to give him little amounts every now and then) and he's actually kept it all inside (I also fed him at 5.45am and kept all that food in as well). He's showed a higher energy level, probably because he's got something in his stomach, which wasn't the case yesterday.

I think he's gonna make it through. Must have been some kind of virus out there or something he ate that I didn't see. He didn't want the moist food my vet gave me though. It's a gastro formula, which is meant to help him keep the food in, but he smelt it and made a weird face! I just gave him his usual food.

My vet told me to wait until next week for his shot though, because they can't do it on a weak dog since it would only make things worse. Anyways, I'll keep you informed if something else happens, but things are looking fine so far :) I'm so relieved!!

Thanks for your quick posts :) I really appreciate it :)

[QuietDaze]

Would he have diarrhea if he had a blockage?

[Nishasmom]

I think sometimes a blockage can cause diarrhea..(like a only a little bit gets through). I could be wrong though.

Observer is correct...it cannot be dx over the internet...I was just giving ideas....see a vet

[observer]

He could. Something like this CANNOT be diagnosed over the internet, and puppies go downhill fast if they are ill. GET HIM TO THE VET!

[vale]

As for the blockage, Nishasmom, my vet said that couldn't be it since he did poo this morning - it was diarrhea, but he still did it on the same regular basis as usual.

But he could have eaten something he's not supposed too, yes. He loves cigarettes that people throw on the ground. I always have to take those disgusting things out of his mouth. Maybe he's eaten some kind of grass of anything that upset his stomach... But I usually keep an eye on him when I take him out. And nothing but food and water was vomited.

[vale]

you guys are so fast, it's really awesome :) thank you all so much!

[moondog]

I'm glad you got him to the vet so quickly.... However, if this was my puppy, I would not accept a "wait and let's see if it's parvo" from the vet...I would insist that the vet test for it because if it IS parvo, his chances are much better if treated early.

A dog can have a partial obstruction and still poop diarrhea. A partial obstruction can become a full obstruction if the item shifts position in the intestines. Then there is no poop at all.

[Nishasmom]

I am glad you took him to the vet. If it is an upset tummy he should be feeling better in no time . Since he doesn't like what your vet prescribed, I would do a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice for a few days. This will help his tummy heal faster than if you fed his regular diet.

Keep us posted, and keep an eye out for any changes!

[vale]

There is a test especially for parvo? Why didn't she do it? Or informed me of it? He really seems better, but I'm going to ask her when I call her back this afternoon. Do they need a stool sample or is it just some kind of blood test? If they need a sample I'm afraid I'm gonna have to wait a little, but if it's only a blood test I can bring him back straight away!

[moondog]

Originally Posted by vale

There is a test especially for parvo? Why didn't she do it? Or informed me of it? He really seems better, but I'm going to ask her when I call her back this afternoon. Do they need a stool sample or is it just some kind of blood test? If they need a sample I'm afraid I'm gonna have to wait a little, but if it's only a blood test I can bring him back straight away!

It's a fecal swab.....they can get the result in 15 minutes right in the vet's office. The only reason I'd think she wouldn't have done it is if your puppy had a vaccination using modified live virus within the last 12 days (which could interfere with the result). Other than that, I can't think of any reason not to do the test.