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14 yr. old golden vomiting, weak

Sent to Pet Experts August 25, 2005 12:30 p.m.

my 14 yr. old golden lost his appetite while my wife and I were away this weekend (not uncommon when we leave). He ate some salmon and chicken mixed /w dogfood last night and my wife had fed him some ham earlier that may have gone bad. he threw up two hours after eating the salmon and chicken with dogfood (at 10), then again at 3 (no blood). the food was entirely undigested. he had a black watery stool last night (containing undigested peanuts). he is very weak and listless, will not eay anything (including bread or rice), and has drank no water since last night after the first vomiting episode. he urinated quite a bit this morning. his nose is moist and eyes clear but droopy. his breathing is shallow and somewhat labored. at his age, and given his obvious discomfort, we do not want to take him to the vet unless absolutely necessary; and obviously, if it is very serious, we will not opt for heroic measures. should I give him pepto-bismal? should I take him to the vet? please help.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $5

Answer
August 25, 2005 12:37 p.m. (6 minutes and 23 seconds later)

REPLIED

If the salmon was raw or had sat on raw fish juices you need to consider salmon poisoning as a possibility. You can read about that here
www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/salmon.asp
The peanuts being passed could they have had hulls on them that are ripping his intestinal tract? If yes then that might account for the bleeding.
I would say with his listlessness that you do need to see a vet with him. This might be from what you fed him causing pancreatic inflammation. It could be he got into something that is really hurting his intestines (the black stool may be digested blood from upper GI bleeding) and the fact he is not drinking puts him at risk for dehydration.
I think the vet will be your best help here.
Hope this helps you!

Edited by NHolmes on August 25 2005 at 12:38pm

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Reply to Nancy Holmes
Sent August 25, 2005 1:08 p.m. (31 minutes and 41 seconds later)

the salmon could not have been bad; it was straight out of the package and recently purchased, as was the chicken. the ham, however, was probably two weeks old, but refrigerated. the peanuts could not have had hulls, they were bought shelled. he is a bit more responsive, and has take some water within the last half hour. since I posted, I read that he should not be fed for 12 to 24 hours after vomiting, so I think I will watch him for a while; but what should I be watching for? I also forgot to mention that his gums are white, which I know is generally negative, but I don't know if it could have anything to do with digestion. Thanks for your help.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
August 25, 2005 1:12 p.m. (3 minutes and 20 seconds later)

ACCEPTED

With white gums I would not wait I'd go to the vet now as that is a sign something serious is going on whether its shock or blood loss from internal bleeding.
Raw salmon carries parasites which won't hurt people but can badly impact dogs. If it was canned then its cooked but if it was fresh and raw it could really hurt him.
If he is having an upper GI bleed from a stomach ulcer for example then he really needs supportive vet care and treatment.

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Please press Accept if you find my answer helpful. Want more info? Just reply on your question!
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NancyH -- Pet Health Care, Rescue,Train,Breed -- 99% Positive Feedback on 6948 Pet Accepts
30+yrs pet vet care & nursing, rescue, behavior & training, responsible breeding, small animal care

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