Yorkie vomiting issue, dont know what to do anymore.
 

Hi, I have a 2 year old Yorkshire Terrier. When we first got here she was fine and gradually she started puking occasionally. It wasn't a problem until about a year ago. When it first started to get bad we took her to the vet. She was puking 5+ times a day. The vet basically told me they didn't know what to do and sent me on my way. They mentioned MegaEsophogus, which we haven't had her tested for yet.

So then we started some trial and error stuff. We've switched her food, tried soft and solid and nothing. We've tried SEVERAL different brands and nothing.

So recently her puking has been getting even worse. Its so bad that shes puking right after she eats and it doing so 10+ times a day now. Sometimes she pukes when shes hyper but then sometimes she just pukes at random when shes relaxed. I took her to the vet earlier this week and they gave me pepcid and prescription gastrointestinal soft food for her. Since then its been even WORSE! I think the pill made her even sicker. She was up all night puking and gagging. Then after I fed her the food today she just layed there and whined each time she breathed in and out.

The next step the vet wanted to take was to test her for megaesophagus, but I really dont think that is what she has. The vet said she probably wouldn't have lived this long. Also she is gaining weight and when animals have this they rapidly lose weight.

So, I'm asking ANYONE with any info to please help, I feel very helpless. I just dont know what I'm dealing with here, and It's pretty scary when your vet doesnt either. Shes my baby and I just want to do what is best for her.
Thankyouu.

I'd get her to a teaching or University Hospital, either in your state or a neighboring state. There are other tests that can be performed, such as an endoscopy and biopsy, X-ray, Ultrasound. All these may not be needed... but I would take her to a specialist quickly, if not tonight.

Thanks for the input, but the problem is I live in a smaller town and I can't find any "specialists" in my area. Im taking her to a different vet tomorrow..

I agree, it is probably time for a second opinion with an internal medicine specialist who is board certified by the ACVIM.

I went to their website and looked up the closest specialist to me and it's about 2 hours away. I'm going to call the second vet tomorrow and take her in and see what they suggest. If they dont know what to do I'm going to call the specialist. Im just so worried.

I agree. This issue needs to be addressed ASAP. Sometimes they can develope a stricture & if this is the case your pup will starve to death if the stricture has completely closed off.
Whatever it is , it needs to be addressed as your baby cannot go on vomiting like this for much longer & I seriously doubt that this is a food allergy.

At least some barium x-rays so they can see how far the food is getting before the vomiting starts. For now I would give nutrical probably at least 5 or 6 times a day as it absorbs quickly & has lots of vits in it. If your baby has been vomiting there is great risk of dehydration as well. I would say it's probably time for the ER.

Agree 100%.
What tests have been completed?
Blood tests?
When she vomits is it her food, fluids, both?

Get to another Vet, this is NOT ok.

None to date.. All they gave me so far was pepcid and the Hills ID food. That was on Monday, and she hasn't been doing so good on that. I stopped giving her the pill bc it made her groggy. Shes still puking up the food, but it seems to get worse at night. I think the next step is going to be getting blood work done. I just dont know what that will tell us/how much it will be. I'm going to call the vet back today.

Time to take her to a vet school.

Megaesophagus - hmm. Is she regurgitating or actually vomiting?
Somebody needs to take a very close look at at esophagus AND intestines to see where the problem lies.

FYI:
The closest vet school to you would be VA tech or OH.

I agree with those who suggested a vet school...or a board certified specialist. Of course the vet schools do have board certified specialists. Just if you don't want to travel a distance. You can find a specialist at:

www.acvim.org

Sorry to butt in, but I have had experience with megaesophagus. Not in our Yorkie, but in our labrador.

The aesophagus is made of bone - and therefore shows up on a normal x-ray. Our Rosie's was so 'mega' at that point, that the vet actually missed it, as one 'edge' of it was off the edge of the x-ray. When it was diagnosed, she was 14 years old...she was too old for an operation.

The only thing we could do was keep her as comfortable as we could. ELEVATED feeding was the only way to keep food in her. By elevated, it had to be at head height - so for a year we hand fed her. Have you tried that with your Littlie? The same with water, even placing her bowl in a higher position might help.

Please do get a second opinion - it's not right as you know. Poor little girl - my heart bleeds for her. Sally x

This, this, this.

Please heed the voice of experience, obviously she is suffering, this must be addressed, please let us know how she and you are doing, we really do care.

How is your baby doing now ?

Checking in for an update...

We've all been wondering if there's any update on your little girl?

Hi everyone. I have taken everyone's opinions into consideration. I called the vet wed. And asked what we should do next. She said bloodwork. So that night I decided to try ONE last hail mary. I boiled some chicken and rice and fed her. She has only puked ONCE since then (she drank too much water) we are now thinking it could have been a food allergy all along? So could we feed her this diet forever?? What do you all think?

No. Chicken and rice on their own is fine occasionally, but her diet needs to be far more balanced than this.

Has she had her neck/throat x-rayed? You have got to rule out megaesophagus - it can be a killer. It's so simple to do - I can't understand why it hasn't been done already - especially as it was mentioned by a vet in the first place.

Are you elevating her food - until you know for sure?

If you want to home cook for her, I suggest you do a consult with a board certified vet nutritionist. She needs a well balanced diet. Certainly if you think chicken and rice is going to work for her, mention it to the nutritionist.

You can find one at:

American College of Veterinary Nutrition

It would be good for them to see her records. I am actually shocked that labs have not been done previously??

How is your puppy doing today?

We didn't have labs done because the vet didn't think it was mega e and she was gaining weight. She is otherwise healthy besides her puking.

I urge you to get blood work done. Just get a full blood work up on her. Including her pancreatic enzymes. (I know blood work isn’t cheap but it gives you a better idea of what is going on) The pancreas secretes enzymes after your baby eats to break down food and secrete insulin. Gizmos poor little pancreas couldn’t secrete enough and became inflamed and he would throw up after eating or randomly throughout the night.

Please get blood work done!

Okay! I'll call the vet Monday and schedule some blood work and X-rays

You could always just get blood work done and then see what the results are and if they are inconclusive... then maybe the next step is xrays! I hope your baby gets better! I know what its like having a dog who constantly throws up :(

hope shes ok

If your baby does have pancreatitis, it can be controlled with a strict diet (low fat high fiber). However, there are dogs that do go through epsidoes throughout their lives. Gizmo is on Reglan ( helps with nausea & vomiting and helps push the food through along the digestive tract) and Pepcid ( to help coat his stomach) right now and he hasnt thrown up in 5 days!

I am confused as to why your vet is not suggesting further testing being done by a specialist as they can not figure out what is wrong. Even if your dog is gaining weight throwing up all the time is not normal as it putting a huge strain on your dog. From a couple of medical websites.
"vomiting can lead to swelling of salivary glands, electrolyte and mineral disturbances, and enamel erosion in teeth."Since Yorkies are prone to dental issues by not addressing this problem you may have serious dental issues down the road.
another site "it does damage the esophagus because the stomach acid isn't meant to be in the esophagus."

from a vet sites
Vomiting
Causes of Vomiting - Why Your Dog is Vomiting

For specialists
Veterinary Specialty Care - Medical Care Services
Veterinary Internal Medicine Practice of Northern Virginia
Internal Medicine | The Hope Center For Advanced Veterinary Medicine
I am so sorry your baby and you are going through this and I hope you find answers. Sending prayers

My vet gave me an estimate of 200 dollars for both! And some of you guys are asking why it hasn't been dealt with yet. In the beginning we didn't think it was a big deal and then when it got worse we took her to the vet. I
Young so any tests and such has to be paid by my parents. So first I have to get them to agree to all of it. If I had the money it would all have been done. We are taking care of it next week and I will let you all know what happens. She was doing good the past few days but today she won't eat the chicken and rice. I think she is sick of it.

I will pray that someone does the right thing for this pup. It does sound like she needs better veterinary care sooner rather than later.

While you are young, I am assuming your parents allowed you to take her in and agreed to provide veterinary care. I hope they will step up to the plate for this pup.

No vet can make an accurate diagnosis without the owner agreeing to the proper testing.