Hello,
my name is Linda, and I have been a reader for a few years now - I am the owner of a sweet little Staffie, called Tess.
Last night, she was sick, and has been sick a few times since - this is not totally unheard of, as she chews everything she can lay her paws on.
But since being sick, she is very sorry for herself, and being lethargic - Tess is a highly excitable dog, and this is out of charecter for her.  I have rung the Vets, and they have an emergency service set up as its Sunday - I dont particularly fee l like this is an emergency at the moment - but can anyone suggest how to make her feel a little more comfortable till tomorrow when I can nip her to the vet?
I have great faith in you all, but I wonder if anyone will read this till tomorrow, as it is Sunday.
I will watch for an answer anyway-
Linda
BTW - Tess is 3 and is neutered, and ate her evening meal of dog meal (tinned) and mixer biscuits) as usually last night.  And has had nothing since -
Oh and BTW - how do I tempt her to drink?

Hi linda

As she is someone who eats all sorts be careful in case she has got something stuck.  If she is not drinking and refusing food she may have a blockage.  I know as I have got a dalmatian who eats pants and socks and I regularly have to pull them out of her bum but she did get one stuck once and we were very lucky she didnt have to have a operation.  Dogs can dehydrate very quickly so keep a very close eye on her. If I am honest if it was me I would take her to the vets.  Have you explained the problem to them if it was my vets they would have told me to pop her down.

Good luck
TTS

Hi Linda.

Dog's stomachs are rather delicate. Surprising really when you think the amount of rubbish they put in it! :) I'm never too concerned if my dogs are sick once. If they are repeatedly sick then I start to get rather more concerned. How is she in herself? If she's bright and lively I would be keeping a watching brief. If she's in any way out of character then I would look upon it as more of an emergency. Not wishing to upset your lunch ;) what does it look like when she's sick? Just bile? Possibly if she's already emptied her stomach, in which case what did the first lot look like? (Assuming that she did not eat it!) What looks like her dinner is not too bad but a nasty coloured stuff would alert me to the fact that she had either eaten something strange or all in not well inside.

As to drink, dehydration is always a risk in cases of sickness. Literally, you cannot pour it down her throat but you might be able to tempt her a little. Try a little boiled rice. The rice will then hold moisture so will in fact be supplying water. I've found with my dogs, a little weak tea will sometimes tempt them. Although tinned food is around 80% water I would not give that today, it would probably reappear almost as soon as it is eaten. Hence my suggestion of something bland such as rice.

As a final point. We are talking about a dog which we cannot see. You are the person "On the ground" and the only one who can see how she is. If YOU are really concerned then the only thing you can do is to put your mind at rest and see your vet. You are the only person who can make that decision.

Regards, John