[Zoey]

My yorkie has generally been a healthy dog. For the first 5 years of her life, she had occasional episodes where she threw up...maybe one throw up once or twice a year...and it was usually pretty easily associated with either being fed too many snacks (I know...not great for her) or car sickness or over-activity.

About 8 months ago, she started to have these vomiting episodes where she would vomit several times...usually 2-3 times per day for about 4-5 days. There have been a few miniscule streaks of blood in the vomit, usually seen after a few days of vomiting. We went to the vet who diagnosed her with gastritis and gave us an antiemetic and an antibiotic. She usually did get better after 4-5 days. This same thing has happened now about 4 more times since...same thing with 2-3 vomits per day for 4-5 days. We have taken her to the vet a few more times and been given the same diagnosis and same medications. We actually went for a second opinion one time and got the same diagnosis and medications.

I'm not convinced that the meds work, though. One episode, we did not take her to the vet, and she got better on her own after 4-5 days, just like before. And once while she was on medications, the vomiting stopped about 3 days but after she was finished with her medications, she vomited for another 3 days. So, the medications don't seem to do much. She eats the same foods and snacks as always. She is not around any other dogs, just like always.

My question (sorry for the long drawn out story) is...should I insist on more work up being done? The only things that have been done are stool studies (a couple times, the vomiting was associated with loose stools), but no blood or x-rays. Is this normal for a yorkie that is getting older? Any ideas what else I should push the vet into doing?

Thanks...you guys have always helped when I have questions!