My 7 month old rat terrier Sister is sick and I don't know what to do for her. This evening about 6:00 she threw up, it was a bunch of grass. Since then she is like heaving and nothing coming up. She's getting more and more agatated and I don't know what to do for her.Please help Sherry

-- sherry (chickadee259@yahoo.com), October 21, 2001

Answers

Does she have a fever? Has she peed/pooped lately? When? Could she have eaten any hide (deer, etc.) that blocked her? Is she able to walk? Is she drinking or eating treats?

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), October 21, 2001.

I just got her temperature and it's 101, and her nose is cold. You can hear her stomach gurgling. We had her spade three weeks ago and all seems well from that. She could have eaten anything around here from feathers to cow poop. I tryed to call my vet but got an answering machine.Sherry

-- sherry (chickadee259@yahoo.com), October 21, 2001.

Sherry, when my dogs need to they eat grass on purpose to throw up, just as you described. Not that they are sick, just that they are cleansing their system I guess. I have seen many dogs do this over the years. I don't think that temp is out of range. Is she less agitated now? I would lay off any treats for a day and maybe moisten her food with broth a bit.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), October 22, 2001.

Sherry, My dog was sick like this once. The vet recommended that I give her a teaspoon of mylanta to settle her stomach. If she feels like eating cook up some ground beef and some plain rice. Mix it together and feed a little bit at a time. The grease from the hamburger coats the stomach and the rice soaks up the extra acid. Worked for my dog. If she continues to be sick and her temp goes above the 101 mark get her to the vet. I am assuming that since she has been spade, she has had her shots as well. Keep us informed. And give her a "pat pat" for me. Kim :-D

-- Kim in Indiana (kwcountrygirl@aol.com), October 22, 2001.

Sherry, I think that many dogs get up-set stomachs. Our black lad does time to time. She will eat grass to clear the system. I have also fed her tums and it seems to help. She chews those right down.

It's not doggy medicine but it seems to work. (I only give her a couple.)

-- Tom S. (trdsshepard@yahoo.com), October 22, 2001.

Grass is always a great healer in dogs. Always turn a sick animail, be it a dog, turkey, chicken, etc. outside to find what it needs to heal itself. Also, she may have swallowed a burdock bur. If one was attached to her and she pulled it off and then swallowed it, she would be walking around or up and down, trying to "cough it up". She would gagg and cough. Give her pieces of bread with a large amount of butter on it, she will gulp that down and stare at you eagerly for more. Give her more. Also, petroleum jelly on your finger in large scoops on your finger, will also help. This is if all other body functions are normal, i.e. urine and poop normal, no blood, etc. Fasting is fine, make sure she is drinking water or give her beef or chicken broth. Let us know how she is. She should be fine by a day. Please note, I am a veternarian technician now homemaker / farmer. Good Luck!!

-- Jackie in Northern New York (homefarm@webtv.net), October 22, 2001.

Sister is much better this morning. She continued to retch most of the night but got up and eat and drank and is now tormenting cats. Thanks for your help. Sherry

-- sherry (chickadee259@yahoo.com), October 22, 2001.

Glad to hear Sister is feeling better. :-D

-- Kim in Indiana (kwcountrygirl@aol.com), October 22, 2001.