[sadiescreek]

Hi everyone. In case any of you are wondering, we are taking her to the vet as soon as we get an appointment. I just was wondering if anyone has had similar problems and what the vet may say.
I have a 7 year old leonberger. In the past 4 days, she has vomiting laying down in the middle of the night. Last night she didnt even lift up her head. She isnt crippled so its not like she can't get up.
Does anybody know what is causing this?
Please, any help or suggestions are appreciated
Thank you

 

[Tess]

Nevermind an appointment. You need to take the dog to the vet NOW. This is very likely to be an EMERGENCY.

Top of the list is an intestinal blockage or bloat.

Get off the computer, put the dog in the car and drive.

Please let us know!

 

[Holly]

They laying down thing doesn't clue me in to anything specific except that it is likely regurgitation and not vomiting (no active abdominal component, the fluid just passively comes up). If this is the case, chest X-rays are needed to assess her esophagus. Could just be very acidic stomach contents, inflamed esophagus, or esophagus motility issue.

Likely full blood work should be done including a baseline thyroid level.
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[Tess]

Maybe I misunderstood this situation.

What I interpreted was that the dog has been vomiting for 4 days and is not getting up. That would certainly be an emergency.

 

[Holly]

I didn't get that from it... But who knows. Plus if the dog has been bloated for 4 days she'd likely be gone by now. I maybe wrongfully assumed the dog was otherwise normal except for the random bouts the last few nights. If OP is not going to a vet right now, elaboration may help.
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[sadiescreek]

Oh I'm sorry. I can see how that might be confusing. This has happened twice in a four day period. She has vomited before, do to her aniexty but that is being treated. Its not the vomiting that worries me so much is the fact she is doing it without lifting her head. Im scared one night she may not wake up while vomiting and choke..

 

[Holly]

Then I stand by my first post. Any other medical conditions ?
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[sadiescreek]

Then I stand by my first post. Any other medical conditions ?
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Yes she has some other medical conditions. She has suffered from anxiety since she was 2 and is on Prozack(Sorry for spelling). She also has a bit of arthritis and is on Demac (Again, spelling. Its a joint supliment for horses which has been working great for her) Her night vison is decreasing as well. She is getting tested for Addisons disease which is common in leonbergers. She just had blood work done less then 6 mouths ago. Came back clean.

 

[Holly]

Okay-- good thought about the Addison's. I'd also do thyroid and the chest X-ray too to rule out a megaesophagus.

 

[sadiescreek]

Okay-- good thought about the Addison's. I'd also do thyroid and the chest X-ray too to rule out a megaesophagus.

I will get the chest x-ray done. As far as the thyroid, I believe that was a part of her blood work. I have to check but I'm pretty sure we requested that do to the fact shes a large dog and its common.
And thank you very much. You've been very helpful.

 

[Tess]

You are getting the best advice from Holly.
Glad this is not as critical as I had read it to be!

 

[sadiescreek]

You are getting the best advice from Holly.
Glad this is not as critical as I had read it to be!

I'm glad as well. Thank you very much for your concern and help
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[Tess]

Yeah, sorry to raise such alarm unnecessarily!
That will teach me to read a couple of times.

 

[sadiescreek]

Yeah, sorry to raise such alarm unnecessarily!
That will teach me to read a couple of times.

Don't be sorry I made it sound confusing.


Just an update. We are getting her tested for addisons and doing full blood sample. The vet informed us if it isnt addisons, its stomach cancer. This has been my fear since the day she was born. Her mother had cancer before the pups where born and they where taken from her right away. Her mother passed away at 6 because of it. Her have brother also died at the age of 6 do to cancer. 6 is the magic number here and I had her tested when she was 6 just to clear my thoughts. I was so happy they where clear. Now she turned 7 and the fears back and worse then ever. It really sucks how things work out...

 

[Tess]

Oh dear... I sure hope she has the lesser of those two medical issues.. or better yet, something even less serious...

 

[sadiescreek]

Oh dear... I sure hope she has the lesser of those two medical issues!

Me as well. At least Addison's is treatable.. Although neither are cureable.
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[Holly]

How did the vet determine that if its not Addisons it's stomach cancer...? Did she have an ultrasound??


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[sadiescreek]

How did the vet determine that if its not Addisons it's stomach cancer...? Did she have an ultrasound??


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She doesn't know for sure. From what she's been told about Lacey and the way her vomit was dark brown and a very foul smell. She just said its a high possibility. She's getting all her test done Monday and we will find out what it is on Wednsday.
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[Holly]

What you describe sounds like bile and while its not necessarily a good thing, don't accept "it's stomach cancer" without an abdominal ultrasound... Good luck with the testing. Don't forget the chest X-ray to look for megaesophagus.
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