Bit of a mystery with my 9yr old GSD male.  He has been on Atopica for 7 days, he is given it on an empty stomach around 3pm. When he has his evening meal (normally around 7pm) he stops, vomits his meat up then continues to eat it and keeps it down.  This has happened 3/4 times this week. He has also been sick (watery) after he came back from a walk and had a drink.  He seems fine in himself, bright as a button actually.  He has always been a take-your-time eater not like my rotty who eats like its the last meal on earth!! Today, I decided to leave the Atopica until night time to see if it makes a difference but he was sick again today without having his tablet. Back to the vets I think??

How many meals does he have in a day? 

They all have 2 meals a day. Around 7 am and around 7pm ish. This has always been the case ie. not changed their routine atall. They have wings or bones in the morning and meat/veg in the evening.

Does seem that the stomach may be a bit sensitive, this sort of regurgitating vomiting is natural to dogs but more common in a bitch when there are pups around. Dogs seem to do it if they have eaten too quick and have to bring it back and start again. Would try feeding him with very wet food so he almost has to lap rather than take it a mouthful at at time.

The meat they have is defrosted in the bowls they eat from so there is lots of blood in it. Its very wet already and he eats very slowly, always has.

Then I think it must be a problem with the stomach lining and that may be the tablets - would see a vet if it continues for too long at that frequency - have you checked the slip in with the pills to see if it is a known side effect, if you have no slip you should find it on line from the licence holders site.

Yes it does say it can cause vomitting. It just seems strange he brings up his meal then eats it again and it stays down.  Think its worth checking him out at the vets to be on the safe side.

It just seems strange he brings up his meal then eats it again and it stays down.  Think its worth checking him out at the vets to be on the safe side.

LOL no point in wasting good food, I suppose that the stomach is in an accepting mode the second time perhaps giving him a small amount about half an hour before the main meal may work as that would sort of prime the stomach lining.

I do agree if you are worried then a trip to the vets is called for.

Yes, I could try that.  I just worry that something sinister is going on, he is my eldest dog and altho a funny old thing, I love him dearly.

9 is not that old for a GSD and I am sure this is just a response to the medication - regurgitation and re-eating is not unusual in dogs in fact it is a normal process, to eat and then move to a secluded place to enjoy in safety is normal so although this is not the reason your boy is doing it it does not mean there is a problem other than that caused by the medication.

Yes, he is doing well for a 9 yr old, still enjoys a long walk, we are doing 18 miles tomorrow.  We walked 25 miles in September and he did really well, no stiffness atall.  He is a super dog altho a little quirky!
Keep them fit and active is my moto!

I have this with my old dog - have whittled the medication down to being the cause!! What works for him is to give the medication with his meal rather than prior to it. It is meant to be given at least half an hour before food but this always, always causes him to vomit. Vet is happy for me to give meds with food if that works best for him :)

there is a dog bowl you can buy that has sections , made for dogs who gulp thier food down too quickly ..my friend has them for her dogs , they work.

As said before he eats very slowly, always has.

I can try feeding him just before the meds but the instructions say they are more effective on an empty stomach - will check with my vet first tho.

Seeing vet tonight, runny poo and vomitting lots of fluid, wee'd in the kitchen today (very unlike him) he looks sad.  Temp 38.1, ate half his meat last night, threw it straight back up. Refused breakfast this morning. Went for a stroll earlier, seemed happy tho.
Appointment can't come soon enough :-(

:(

How did your vets appt go? Perhaps he's had a rumbling infection that's peaked?

He isn't sure what's up, so he is in today for ultrasound, bloods and xrays.  His breath is also off which worries me regarding kidneys/liver. He was sick again last night during his meal.  I then offered him scrambled eggs which he really enjoyed but they came back up an hour later. :(
Should know more by this afternoon but I have a bad feeling.

:(

Will be thinking of you and please let us know how it all goes.

Keeping everything crossed xx

Update:
Bloods and ultrascan were clear and vet commented how what great shape he is in (inside and out) put on anti sickness tabs and sent home with a 'watch and wait'.
Vet didnt want to be anymore invasive at this stage but agreed we need to build him back up with food. It could be a reaction to the Atopica he is on but he was on it before on double dose and he wasnt like this! All going well until Saturday and the sickness has returned within seconds of eating. He is even sick when he has his meds coated in cream cheese.  After tomorrow, I will be injecting his anti sickness medication and stopping his Atopica to help his tummy. If he is still being sick by Thursday, he will be in for endoscopy and biopsy.

Is it active vomiting or involuntary regurgitation (not retching, just comes back up again). If he is not retching it could be a problem higher up his oesophagus rather than the stomach. Also do you feed him from a raised bowl? I'm sure the vet has already asked you all these buts it's something worth noting.
Hope he gets better soon, there is nothing worse than seeing your dog poorly. Keep us informed.

He starts eating and within 1-2 whilst still eating the lot comes back up.  He eats slowly from a raised bowl stand unless he is eating bones then he lies down to eat those.  I wanted the vet to check his oesophagus area last week.
Will see what happens, no sickness today or yesterday but his anti sickness meds go in 1 hour before he is fed.

Im really sorry if this is the wrong place for my question as im new to this site.Could anyone help me i need to know if i need to reworm my 15month american bulldog he has been sick 10 hours after i have wormed him and im really worried about giving him to much hes just not  himself.THANKYOU

After 10 hours all the worming product will be out of his stomach anyway, so  there'll be no need to retreat him. :-) If he still seems unwell this morning give your vet a ring.

Thankyou for your reply he has been fine and back to his energetic self.

Any update (barkingmad16)??Hope he has settled down and keeping his food down now x

Well, its back to see my vet tonight as he has had over a week off Atopica and has been given the antisickness inj up until Sat (5th). All seemed well until Monday eve, he was sick after his tea but not all of it came up, then yesterday he was sick in the morning, refused his lamb bone and then was sick after he had a drink (just water came back up as his tummy was empty) I gave him another injection last night so he could eat and keep it down.  I just need to know whats causing it. Will update later after my appointment with him - poor thing, he has aged in the last 2 weeks.
:-(

Results are back for my boy - Helicobactor infection.  Long term anti-biotics should sort him. Thanks for everyones support.